In his ML debut with the Indians in 1929 Shoffner relieved against the Yankees and struck out Babe Ruth. But he was known as a hard-luck pitcher throughout his career, plagued by a sore arm and odd happenings. In the minors an irate fan fractured his skull with a bat, and a week after he was married, his league folded. In 1939 with the Braves, the lefty pitched the last eight innings of a scoreless tie, and later 16 scoreless innings to no decision.
