GALION — Jack Shuck will have to forgive his son for not calling.
Friday was a hectic day for the newest member of the Cleveland Indians.
Shuck’s son, 2005 Galion graduate J.B. Shuck, was traded from Los Angeles Angels to the Indians on Friday for cash considerations. The Angels had designated the 27-year-old outfielder for assignment early in the week to free up space on the 40 man roster.
“It’s very exciting to be coming back to Ohio,” said Shuck, who was en route from Houston when reached by phone late Friday afternoon. “It all happened pretty quickly.”
So quickly, in fact, that the younger Shuck didn’t have time to phone his father. Jack Shuck found out the news when Ontario baseball coach Dan Gorbett, J.B.’s baseball coach at Galion, texted him Friday.
“I texted Jack and said, ‘Great news,’ ” Gorbett said. “Jack texted me back and said, ‘What news?’ He thought I was pulling a fast one on him.”
When Gorbett told the elder Shuck his son was a member of the Tribe, Jack’s return text was, well, not fit for print.
“I said, ‘BS,’ but in less flattering terms,” Jack Shuck said.
The 2014 season has been a frustrating one for J.B. Shuck. After batting .293 in 129 games for the Angels last year, he was the last man cut coming out of spring training. He struggled in an early call-up from Salt Lake, the Angels Triple A affiliate in the Pacific Coast League, and batted just .167 in 22 games. His time at Triple A was well-spent, however, as Shuck batted .320 in 102 game at Salt Lake, good for fourth best in the PCL.
“Of course I wanted to be up all year, but circumstances didn’t allow for it,” J.B. Shuck said. “I feel like I made the most of my opportunities at Triple A. I had a pretty good year at the plate.”
Shuck joins an outfield that includes Michael Bourn in center, Michael Brantley in left and David Murphy in right. Shuck wasn’t yet sure how he would fit into the rotation.
“I’m looking forward to getting a fresh start,” Shuck said. “I’m hoping to take advantage of the opportunity.”
“It’s very exciting to be coming back to Ohio,” said Shuck, who was en route from Houston when reached by phone late Friday afternoon. “It all happened pretty quickly.”
