James Shields is known as “Big Game James” because he knows how to win big games. That’s a pretty nice reputation to have, isn’t it?

Shields is a starting pitcher for the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays drafted him in 2000 in the amateur baseball draft. He was 19 at the time. After working his way through the minor leagues, he made his Major League debut on May 31, 2006. He allowed five runs in five innings and got no decision. He went on to show his future promise, however, when he won the next four starts in a row, becoming the first Rays pitcher to start his career with four straight wins. He finished 2006 with a 6-8 record and an ERA of 4.84 but his 104 strike-outs in 125 innings showed that he could put some strong stuff on the ball.

In each of his years in a Rays jersey, he has improved on the previous year’s record. So, in 2007, his record improved to 12-8 and his ERA shrank to 3.85. During that year, he had two noteworthy games. On May 9, he pitched nine shutout innings, permitting only three hits. But the Rays’ offense didn’t back up Shields’ pitching effort. The Rays lost the game in the tenth inning, and Shields received no decision. Later in the month, Shields pitched another complete game, this one a 5-3 Rays victory against the Detroit Tigers, which Shields got the win in. In that game, he recovered from a three-run first inning to retire 13 straight batters.

The 2008 season saw further improvement in Shields’ record. His 14 wins tied him for seventh place among American League pitchers. He lost eight. He shaved his ERA to 3.56, earning him eleventh place among American League pitchers.

He continued to pitch good games in 2008, too. On April 27, he pitched a two-hit complete game shutout against the Boston Red Sox. Then on May 9, he pitched a one-hit shutout against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Shields pitched in another high-profile game, too. On June 5, he was pitching against the Boston Red Sox. He hit center fielder Coco Crisp with a pitch. Crisp charged the mound, both Crisp and Shields threw punches, the benches cleared and a full brawl ensued.

The consensus is that Shields intentionally hit Crisp as pay-back. The night before, Crisp was sliding into second when shortstop Jason Bartlett blocked him, causing Crisp to injure his thumb. Later that night, Crisp was sliding into second again and seemed intentionally to slide into second-baseman Akinori Iwamura. So when Shields faced Crisp the following night, Shields retaliated.

Crisp and Shields were both ejected from the game. Several players were suspended, including Shields, who sat out six games.

But the most memorable fact of 2008 is the unbelievable success the Rays had after so many disappointing years. Founded in 1998 as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Rays had only had one season prior to 2008 in which they finished elsewhere than in last place. In 2004, they finished fourth. Out of a division of five teams.

In 2007, they had the worst record in baseball, finishing 30 games out of first place, winning 66 and losing 96, with a .407 record. But this year, their wins and losses are just about reversed: 97 wins, 65 losses and a .599 record. This year, the Tampa Bay Rays won the American League East Division title, then went on to defeat the reigning champion Boston Red Sox to win the American League pennant, and are now playing the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. This year, the Rays are a-Rays-ing. Maybe it’s because they took the “Devil” out of their name.

Shields owes a lot to his cousin, Aaron Rowand, who saw him relying on his talent alone, and not making the most of his chances by training and working hard. During the off-season in 2003, Rowand called Shields and talked him into going out to visit him in Las Vegas. Rowand wanted to show him what it took to excel in the big leagues, working out through the off-season, improving strength and skills and taking care of his health. Inspired by Rowand’s approach and encouragement, Shields changed his work ethic and has excelled since.

Rowand now plays for the San Francisco Giants but spent two seasons with the Phillies, who are now facing the Rays in the World Series. Shields started, and won, Game 2 of the World Series, continuing to build on his reputation as “Big Game James”.

Shields was born December 20, 1981, Newhall, California. He is a big guy, 6’4” and 214 lbs. He was offered a full scholarship to play baseball at Louisiana State University, but, after being drafted at 19, started his professional career instead.

Shields bats and throws right. His career record is 32-24 and his career ERA is 3.96.