Jeff Shaw

Jeff Shaw started his baseball career at Washington Senior High School, located in Washington Court House, Ohio. While he was enrolled at the University of Rio Grande, he attended a tryout camp for the Cincinnati Reds during the summer of 1985, where he received little attention. He and his mother then drove to Columbus, Ohio to try out with the New York Yankees at the home field of New York’s Class AAA affiliate, the Columbus Clippers. He drew the interest of scouts by upping the speed on his fastball from 84-85 to 93 mph while he played in a semipro league in Washington Court House.

Shaw played for Cuyahoga Community College-West, but transferred to Cuyahoga Community College to be eligible for the draft. Shaw was the first overall pick of the 1986 January amateur draft, signing on May 11, 1986, and began his career with the Cleveland Indians in 1990.

After years of middle relief, Shaw moved to the Cincinnati Reds and became one of the game’s best closers in 1997, closing 42 games. He began the ’98 season with the Reds before being traded to the Dodgers. He saved 48 games total in ’98 and went on to save 104 games over his last three seasons with the Dodgers. For his career, he saved 203 games with an earned run average of 3.55, becoming an All-Star in ’98 and ’01. Jeff currently serves as the varsity pitching coach at his alma mater, Washington High School.