This day in Los Angeles Dodgers history saw Jeff Shaw first don the uniform of his new team during the 1998 MLB All-Star Game at Coors Field.
On July 7, 1998, Shaw became the first player in baseball history to participate in the Midsummer Classic while wearing the uniform for a club he had yet to play in a regular-season game for.
Shaw was traded on July 4, from the Cincinnati Reds to the Dodgers in exchange for Paul Konerko and Dennys Reyes. Days later he was representing L.A. in the All-Star Game after a request was made by the Reds for him to wear their jersey, was denied.
Shaw allowed one run on three hits in the 13-8 loss for the National League, but wound up being a key piece to the Dodgers bullpen. Shaw racked up 25 saves and posted a 2.55 ERA during the second half.
The Dodgers ended up making Shaw one of the highest-paid closers in MLB by signing him to a three-year, $15 million contract at season’s end.
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Over the duration of the contract, Shaw carried a 3.37 ERA, 4.06 FIP, and saved 129 games for the Dodgers. He remained the franchise leader in saves until Eric Gagne surpassed him in 2004. In his final year with the team, and the last of his career, Shaw made another All-Star Game at age 34 when he posted a 3.62 ERA in 2001.
Jeff Shaw stats
Shaw spent 12 seasons in the Majors, which began with the then-Cleveland Indians. The right-hander additionally pitched for the Montreal Expos and Chicago White Sox before breaking out with the Reds and finishing his career with the Dodgers.
Shaw retired with 203 career saves in 848 innings and posted a lifetime 3.54 ERA and 4.09 FIP. Shaw threw his last pitch for the Dodgers on October 6, 2001, but it was his appearance as a new member of the club in the 1998 All-Star Game that marks this day in history.
