What Ever Happened to Shane Mack?

[Patrick Wozniak]

Shane Mack had some really great years in Minnesota and helped the Twins win their second World Series title in ’91. He was having a career year in ’94 until the strike brought the season to a halt. Then he left for Japan and that’s where the story always ended in my mind. But naturally, there’s more.Mack came to Minnesota from San Diego, where he was a former number 11 overall pick, in the Rule-5 Draft and played his first season for Minnesota as a 26-year-old in 1990. He played five seasons in Minnesota and his numbers stack up well against some of his contemporaries (courtesy of Baseball Reference):

 

Download attachment: What Ever Happened to Shane Mack Mack Chart.png

Download attachment: What Ever Happened to Shane Mack Puckett chart.png

Download attachment: What Ever Happen to Shane Mack Hrbek chart.png

 

Injuries prevented Mack from playing quite as many games as Kirby Puckett, but Mack had the highest OPS of the group. Mack also leads the group in WAR with 19.6 (5.2 per 650 PA) compared to 19.2 (4.0 per 650 PA) for Puckett and 8.2 (2.2 per 650 PA) for Hrbek. This isn’t to say Mack was a better player than Puckett or Hrbek as the comparison isn’t apples to apples. Mack was aged 26-30 during those years while Puckett and Hrbek were both 30-34. But even if we take Puckett and Hrbek’s 26-30 aged seasons, Mack is in the same ballpark, as Puckett’s OPS+ was 136 while Hrbek’s was 137 (Mack’s was 130). Mack was a really good player.

 

And Terry Ryan realized this. Mack tore it up in the strike shortened ’94 season, slashing .333/.402/.564 in 81 games and Ryan offered Mack a two-year, $6.7 million extension with a club option. Over at Twinkie Town, Devereaux wrote a great fan post a few years back detailing how the Twins lost Shane Mack. Long story short, the Twins were the only team really interested in Mack and he chose to go to Japan on a better offer, signing a two-year, $8.1 million deal with the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants.

 

With the peripherals out of the way, let’s actually tackle the question posed in the headline. We’ll start with Mack’s time in Japan. I couldn’t find much out there in the innerweb related to the mysterious period we’ll refer to as the “Japan years,” but thanks to Baseball Reference we at least have the numbers. In his first season he hit .275/.357/.438 in 120 games. He didn’t exactly set Japan on fire but he did hit 20 home runs (a 21-year-old Ichiro Suzuki would slash .342/.432/.544 with 25 home runs in 130 games). After getting settled, Mack showed some improvement in his second season, hitting .293/.354/.488 with 22 dingers in 127 games (a 22-year-old Ichiro Suzuki would slash .356/.422/.504 with 16 home runs in 130 games).

 

And with that the “Japan years” came to an end. Other than comparing Mack to Ichiro, I’ve given you no context to how Mack’s numbers stack up to the rest of Japan. It’s not because I didn’t want to, there’s just not much out there. I will, however, go out on the limb and suggest that Ichiro’s numbers might be better than the average NPB hitter.

 

But our story doesn’t end yet. Mack would return to the MLB and play pretty well in a part-time role with the Boston Red Sox in 1997, hitting .315/.368/.438 in 60 games at 33-years of age. 1998 would be his final season and it got a bit weird. Mack signed with the Oakland Athletics, but after all of two plate appearances Oakland had apparently seen enough and shipped Mack off to the Kansas City Royals on April 8^th. Mack continued to hit pretty well (280/.345/.449), again as a part timer (66 games), but must have decided he had had enough baseball and he retired following the ’98 season.

 

The last news we have of Shane Mack comes from his Wikipedia page. On March 6, 2006 Mack learned of Kirby Puckett’s massive stroke and flew out to Arizona to join his former teammates and to be with Puckett in his last moments. And those unfortunate circumstances are where our story ends.

 

What are your favorite Shane Mack memories? Better yet, do you happen to be Shane Mack? If so, please let us know what you’re up to in the comments section!

 

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[VivaBomboRivera!]

Somebody has his number. Hard to believe a guy that good is just a private citizen now. If they haven't, the Twins should reach out.

[Hawkeye12]

I was a Shane Mack fan even as a Padre just because he had a 1985 Topps card with the Olympic Team.  When he joined the Twins I was ecstatic even though I had no clue if he was actually good or not.  Looks like he only played 20 games at AAA in 1989, so maybe the Padres gave up on him because of injuries.  Lucky for the Twins, one of several Rule V gems they've found over the years.

[Dantes929]

I have always advocated for Twins HOF for him.   The problem is he really doesn't have a signature moment.   I just remember him being really good for 5 years and being super bummed about the strike because he was having a great year.     Another what could have been.

[Patrick Wozniak]

 

I was a Shane Mack fan even as a Padre just because he had a 1985 Topps card with the Olympic Team.  When he joined the Twins I was ecstatic even though I had no clue if he was actually good or not.  Looks like he only played 20 games at AAA in 1989, so maybe the Padres gave up on him because of injuries.  Lucky for the Twins, one of several Rule V gems they've found over the years.

That's exactly how I got into Mack as well! Growing up in Iowa I couldn't watch many games and I remember thinking he was really cool because of the USA jersey. Cards and box scores were pretty much how I followed the game back then.

P.S. Go Hawks!

[Brock Beauchamp]

This is really a great article and thanks for writing it. I was a big Mack fan in the early 90s but left baseball during the strike. I didn't come back until 98 and assumed Mack had left the game, but not under the circumstances laid out here.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

A quick search in Japanese ("シェーンマック 巨人") reveals that there is a Wiki page for him, and turns up a 1:15 highlight reel on YouTube.  He played center for my least favorite NPB team, one that plays in a Metrodome replica. 

 

This page ranks him second behind Kevin Mitchell ( the '89 NL MVP who had a 37G, 149PA cup of coffee with Daiei in '95) in a list of five foreign players that also includes Julio Franco (Lotte '98), Reggie Smith (Yomiuri '84 & '85) and Dave Nilsson (Chunichi '00), of all people.  His coverage is generally favorable and he is well-remembered.  The most recent article turned up is dated July 2018 and looks into the reasons that brought him to the Giants.

 

While some ballpayers with limited MLB exposure go on to long NPB careers, a la Wladimir Balentien, it is rare for a career Major Leaguer to stay in Japan more than a couple years.

 

[Patrick Wozniak]

 

A quick search in Japanese ("シェーンマック 巨人") reveals that there is a Wiki page for him, and turns up a 1:15 highlight reel on YouTube.  He played center for my least favorite NPB team, one that plays in a Metrodome replica. 

 

This page ranks him second behind Kevin Mitchell ( the '89 NL MVP who had a 37G, 149PA cup of coffee with Daiei in '95) in a list of five foreign players that also includes Julio Franco (Lotte '98), Reggie Smith (Yomiuri '84 & '85) and Dave Nilsson (Chunichi '00), of all people.  His coverage is generally favorable and he is well-remembered.  The most recent article turned up is dated July 2018 and looks into the reasons that brought him to the Giants.

 

While some ballpayers with limited MLB exposure go on to long NPB careers, a la Wladimir Balentien, it is rare for a career Major Leaguer to stay in Japan more than a couple years.

Thanks for this! The highlight video was great.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

 

Thanks for this! The highlight video was great.

Some nice catches there.  At your service, Sir.

[jjswol]

I believe the real reason that Shane Mack left MLB when he did was because of the strike.

[puckstopper1]

 

I believe the real reason that Shane Mack left MLB when he did was because of the strike.

 

That and the $1.4M more offered to him the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants than the Twins offered him.

[puckstopper1]

Great article and great memories, Patrick.

 

I was a baseball card guy also and the 1985 Topps Mack card was my second favorite - right behind some guy McGuire's rookies card.

 

My memories of Mack include some clutch hits during the 15 game winning streak (to win 15 games in a row, several Twins were hot at the plate - including Mack).

 

That winning streak is still a club record and was AWESOME! With it he Twins moved from fifth place to first, a lead they would not relinquish, which culminated with them winning the World Series.

 

Mack was a terrific Rule 5 pick-up and an important part of that 1991 team. 

 

Although he struggled against the Braves in the World Series at the plate, he hit .333 against the Blue Jays in the ALCS.

[Dantes929]

 

Great article and great memories, Patrick.

 

I was a baseball card guy also and the 1985 Topps Mack card was my second favorite - right behind some guy McGuire's rookies card.

 

My memories of Mack include some clutch hits during the 15 game winning streak (to win 15 games in a row, several Twins were hot at the plate - including Mack).

 

That winning streak is still a club record and was AWESOME! With it he Twins moved from fifth place to first, a lead they would not relinquish, which culminated with them winning the World Series.

 

Mack was a terrific Rule 5 pick-up and an important part of that 1991 team. 

 

Although he struggled against the Braves in the World Series at the plate, he hit .333 against the Blue Jays in the ALCS.

I thought 2006 had some really nice streaks so went and checked.    They won 19 out of 20 and only picked up 2.5 games.     With the 15 game streak the 91 Twins also won 19-20 and picked up 9.5 games.    As you say though, it mattered when that one game was lost to give the 91 team the record.

[mikelink45]

nice article - I was never a Shane Mack fan - not that I criticized him - I just did not seem to catch on to how good he was.  I keep learning more and wonder about why he did not get more attention and appreciation. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

This page ranks him second behind Kevin Mitchell ( the '89 NL MVP who had a 37G, 149PA cup of coffee with Daiei in '95) in a list of five foreign players that also includes Julio Franco (Lotte '98), Reggie Smith (Yomiuri '84 & '85) and Dave Nilsson (Chunichi '00), of all people.

Let's take a moment to revel in Julio Franco. Unless my math is wrong, he played his final MLB game as a 49 year old.

 

He's Jamie Moyer who hits. He literally played at the highest level until he was almost FIFTY YEARS OLD.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

 

Let's take a moment to revel in Julio Franco. Unless my math is wrong, he played his final MLB game as a 49 year old.

 

He's Jamie Moyer who hits. He literally played at the highest level until he was almost FIFTY YEARS OLD.

The man loves the game.  First professional appearance in 1978 to 36 games in Mexican AAA in 2008, and then at 55yo another cup of coffee at Ft. Worth in 2014.

 

Apparently Mitchell could not give up the game, either.  After 20 years, his last 4 PAs were for Lincoln in the Northern League in 2001: 2 for 3 with a walk, 3 runs.

[rv78]

One of the best, least talked about players, in Twins history.

[jmlease1]

I find it really odd that Shane Mack couldn't attract attention from other teams back in '94, but maybe it was a case of baseball owners colluding again. Maybe they all thought he was never going to be the same player he was in 91-92. But considering how well he was playing in 94 that's a pretty stupid judgment for everyone to make; '93 looks like the anomaly not the predictor.

 

I loved him as a player. He's not a forgotten player to anyone who loved the Twins in the 90's. 

[Minny505]

I feel like this was written for me

 

I constantly espouse the greatness of Shane Mack when in deep conversations with fellow baseball fans. Mack was arguably the best player on the Twins during my formative Twins years of 1990-94. 

A true 5-tool player who did not have any standout strengths, but no glaring weaknesses either. 

His career is so strange. He is one of only 2 players to put up more than 20 brWAR without getting a chance to reach 3300 PAs. (remarkably, the other player also spent the bulk of his career with the Twins)

 

For those five years, he was essentially the same age as, and out-brWAR'd, players like, David Justice, Bobby Bonilla, Mark McGwire, Cecil Fielder, Jose Canseco, and Will Clark. Most of those guys were perennial all-stars in that time while Mack never even seemed in the discussion. He matched the OPS of Will Clark, Bobby Bonilla, and Cecil Fielder while playing much more valuable defense. 

Bobby Bonilla, roughly the same age as Mack, will make about 2x more money on his final MLB contract to not play...than Shane Mack made his entire career from MLB contracts. 

[Dantes929]

 

nice article - I was never a Shane Mack fan - not that I criticized him - I just did not seem to catch on to how good he was.  I keep learning more and wonder about why he did not get more attention and appreciation. 

He can't even get it here on TD.   Look at the post on the best players from each state and then look at where Mack was born and what his WAR was for the Twins.

[VATwinsFan]

Not a "favorite" memory but one nonetheless, was the fact that in the 1991 World Series Mack was doing so horribly, in Game 5 Kelly actually started Chili Davis in RF (shudder).