Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Art Shamsky

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 4, 2025

How Art Shamsky built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Art Shamsky, nicknamed "Sham" and "Smasher," is a former MLB player from 1965-1972. He played for the Reds, Mets, Cubs, and Athletics, holding a record for homering in four consecutive at-bats in 1966. A key member of the 1969 World Series Champion Miracle Mets, he batted .300 with 14 home runs and hit .538 in the post-season. In 2007, Shamsky managed the Modi'in Miracle in the Israel Baseball League.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1958: College Baseball at Missouri

In 1958, Art Shamsky played college baseball for the Missouri Tigers during his freshman year.

September 1959: Signed with Cincinnati Reds

In September 1959, Art Shamsky signed with the Cincinnati Reds as a free agent, foregoing a traditional business career path preferred by his father.

1960: Professional Baseball Debut

In 1960, Art Shamsky began his professional baseball career with the Geneva Redlegs of the New York–Penn League, where he was the roommate of Pete Rose. He had a strong season and was named to the All-Star team.

1961: Plays with Topeka Reds

In 1961, Art Shamsky played for the Topeka Reds.

1962: Plays with Macon Peaches

In 1962, Art Shamsky played with the Macon Peaches.

1963: Plays with AAA San Diego Padres

In 1963, Art Shamsky played with the AAA San Diego Padres.

1964: Home Run Record with San Diego Padres

In 1964, Art Shamsky played with the AAA San Diego Padres and set a record for the longest home run hit in the Padres’ park, at 500 feet.

1965: Shamsky Joins Cincinnati Reds

In 1965, Art Shamsky began his Major League Baseball career with the Cincinnati Reds at the age of 23, making the team out of spring training and achieving a .260 batting average.

1965: Plays Winter League

In the winter of 1965, Art Shamsky played for Cangrejeros de Santurce in the Puerto Rican Winter League.

1966: Four Consecutive Home Runs

In 1966, Art Shamsky achieved a major league record by hitting home runs in four consecutive at-bats for the Cincinnati Reds, with the first three happening in a single game after being inserted in the eighth inning. His bat from that day is on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

1966: Home Run Record

In 1966, Art Shamsky tied a major league record by hitting home runs in four consecutive at-bats while playing for the Cincinnati Reds.

November 1967: Traded to New York Mets

In November 1967, Art Shamsky was traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the New York Mets for infielder Bob Johnson, marking a significant change in his career and personal life.

1969: Post-Season Performance

In 1969, Art Shamsky continued his strong hitting into the post-season, batting .538 in the NLCS and starting in Game 3 of the World Series, which was played on his birthday.

1969: Key Player for the Mets

In 1969, Art Shamsky played a vital role for the New York Mets, hitting .300 with 14 home runs as part of a right field platoon, despite battling a slipped disk in his back.

1969: World Series Champion

In 1969, Art Shamsky was an integral player for the World Series Champion Miracle Mets, batting .300 with 14 home runs during the season and .538 in the post-season.

1970: Leads Mets in Batting Average

In 1970, Art Shamsky led the New York Mets with a .293 batting average and was seventh in the league with 13 intentional walks.

October 18, 1971: Traded to St. Louis Cardinals

On October 18, 1971, Art Shamsky, along with Jim Bibby, Rich Folkers, and Charlie Hudson, was traded from the New York Mets to the St. Louis Cardinals for Jim Beauchamp, Harry Parker, Chuck Taylor, and Chip Coulter.

April 1972: Signed with Chicago Cubs

In April 1972, Art Shamsky signed as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs after being released by the St. Louis Cardinals.

1972: Shamsky's Final Season

In 1972, Art Shamsky played for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics before a chronic back injury led to his retirement from professional baseball at age 30.