Charles Mars “Struttin’ Bud” Shaney (1900 – 1982)

 
Although he never played in the Outlaw League, “Bud” Shaney was notorious for such antics as knawing and eating baseballs as well as inserting phonographic needles in the balls he pitched. Born in New Albany, Indiana, Shaney served in World War I and left the service in 1920. That same year he signed with a Milwaukee team in the American Baseball Association that sent him to Florida. While playing in Florida, Shaney contracted malaria and was shipped off to play for the Asheville Tourists in North Carolina, where he really launched his minor league career as a legendary pitcher. Shaney eventually joined the Class “B” Piedmont League in 1931 and remained with the Charlotte Hornets until the team left the Piedmont League and joined the Independent Carolina Baseball League. Over the course of his minor league career, he notched 230 victories and a 3.70 ERA in 3,714 IP.
After his playing days, Shaney managed the Trenton Senators in 1937 and the Hickory Rebles in 1942 and was later the groundskeeper at Asheville’s McCormick Field for many years. Shaney is fondly remembered for his sheer love of the game.