The Yankees promoted Spencer to the major leagues in 1998 at the age of 26. He first played briefly in April, then hit 10 home runs in 67 major league at bats in September, including three grand slams in a ten day span.[2][3][4] This was a record for major league rookies, until it was broken by Alexei Ramírez in 2008.[5]
Additionally, Spencer was nicknamed Roy Hobbs in reference to the protagonist in The Natural, because he hit many home runs and was older than most rookies when brought up to the majors.[6][7] He was on the front cover of the October 1998 edition of Sports Illustrated.[8]
Spencer was squeezed out of a regular role on the 1999 team when the Yankees decided to platoonRicky Ledée and Chad Curtis in left field. He was soon demoted to Triple-A in order to get regular playing time. In May, Spencer voiced his frustration with the organization.[10] He was up and down with the team throughout the season, even going on the disabled list with an irregular heartbeat.[11][12] Spencer was ultimately left off the World Series roster. He publicly discussed his frustration with his role on the team with the media.[13]
In 2000, he eventually won back playing time to become the team's starting left fielder. However, Spencer tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in July, ending his season.[14][15] The Yankees acquired Glenallen Hill from the Cubs just a few days later.[16]
After rehabbing his knee in the minors to start the 2001 season, Spencer returned to the big leagues in June and homered on his first game back.[17] Spencer homered in the team's first game at Yankee Stadium following the attack on the World Trade Center.[18] Spencer managed to win more playing time in the World Series, edging out Chuck Knoblauch for at-bats.[19]
Following Paul O'Neill's retirement, Spencer was the Yankees starting right fielder to begin the 2002 season.[20] However, by June, he had lost his starting job to rookie Juan Rivera. Spencer instead filled in at the corner outfield spots as needed.[21]
Later career (2003–2006)
After reaching free agency for the first time, he signed with Cleveland for the 2003 season. In July, Cleveland traded Spencer to the Texas Rangers for outfielder Ryan Ludwick.[22]
In 2004, Spencer signed with the New York Mets. In March, during spring training, Spencer and teammate Karim García were involved in an altercation with a pizza deliveryman outside a bar near. No charges were filed, but both players were fined.[23] Spencer went on the disabled list in July, after he cut his foot stepping on broken glass in a bar. While rehabbing the injury in Port St. Lucie, Spencer was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence.[24] He was suspended by the team[25] then released from the organization. The Yankees signed him to a minor league deal.[26][27]
In 2005, Spencer signed with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan's Central League,[28] appearing in 108 games and hitting 9 homers. In 2006, he continued to play for the Tigers, but was cut.
Coaching
After his playing career ended, Spencer's career turned to coaching. He served as the hitting coach for the Lake Elsinore Storm, the Single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres in 2008[29] and 2009.[29] In 2013, he was named the hitting coach of the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League.[30][31] In August 2013, someone claiming to be Shane Spencer admitted to using steroids in a radio interview on ESPN Radio 104.5. The real Spencer called in to Boomer and Carton on WFAN and released a statement to set the record straight. He later had a proper interview with Mike Lindsley on ESPN Radio.[32]
In 2015, Spencer left Somerset to become the manager of the Hwaseong Heroes, the farm team of the Nexen Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization.[33] He stepped down from his position in 2019 after being arrested for driving under the influence and driving with an expired license.[34][35]
He worked as an instructor at the Hudson Valley Renegades baseball camp in 2020[36] and served as a coach for the Saugerties Stallions of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League for 2021 season.[37][38] In July 2023, Spencer joined the coaching staff of the Irish Wolfhounds Baseball Club,[39] a non-professional team composed of Irish citizens who had prior college or professional baseball experience.[40]
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