The Indianapolis Indians will immortalize Anthony Razor Shines by retiring his no. 3 jersey during the weekend of Sept.13 at Victory Field downtown. This retirement makes Shines the first former player in Indianapolis Indians’ 122-year history to have their jersey ascended to the rafters.
“When you think of Indianapolis Indians baseball, the first player that comes to mind is Razor Shines,” former president of the Indianapolis Indians Max Schumacher said in a statement.
For nine seasons, Shines was not just a player for the Indianapolis Indians; he was a symbol of the team’s golden era. A time of Indiana baseball nostalgia for many. From 1984 to 1989 and from 1991 to 1993, his bat smashed everything coming his way, carving his name into the team’s record books early.
Over his career, Shines amassed 68 home runs, 404 RBI and 138 doubles. Many home games were played at 1501 West 16th Street during the days of Shines.
However, the numbers only whisper a small portion of the tale.
“For the first time in my life, I am speechless,” Shines said in an interview with the Indianapolis Recorder. “I am grateful to everyone who has been a part of that. The Indianapolis fans, the Schumacher Family, Max especially, my teammates, my family, I mean everybody that has had a role in this. I am grateful to all of those people.”
During his tenure with the Indianapolis Indians, many fans remember the boisterous introduction provided by then-PA announcer Kurt Hunt before games at Bush Stadium.
“Coming to the plate for your Indians … RRRRAAAZOR SHINES,” Hunt said before many Indianapolis Indians games.
More than a player, Shines’ hustle was contagious, his smile as bright as the historic Bush lights. Shines recollected on the importance of good character.
“Being a good teammate and being a good leader, I wanted to be the face [of the Indianapolis Indians],” Shines told the Indianapolis Recorder. “I wanted to go out and work with the kids. I wanted to be the one that when we needed something, I was the person they looked to for that.”
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When asked about his favorite moment, Shines recollected on the magic of Game 7 of the 1986 American Association Championship Series, etched forever in the minds of die-hard fans.
“I think that was the moment that sticks with me the most is the ending of the 1986 Championship,’ Shines told the Indianapolis Recorder. “We were down in the bottom of the ninth with two outs. I was intentionally walked. And I will never forget it: Billy Moore came through with a hit that set the fireworks off. I feel like that moment kickstarted a run to four straight titles.”
While his major league career spanned portions of four seasons with the Montreal Expos, it was on the diamond of Bush Stadium in Indianapolis that Shines excelled. He was there for five of the team’s six postseason appearances in the 1980s. Shines started all 42 playoff games.
Shines continued to express his gratitude to have his jersey retired.
“To the Indians, the Schumacher family and the many fans with whom I had the privilege of meeting during my stay in Indianapolis, thank you,” Shines said.
Shines’ no. 3 jersey will join Jackie Robinson’s no. 42, forever linked in the pantheon of baseball greats.
When asked about joining the elite company of Jackie Robinson’s 42 in the rafters, Shines conveyed a feeling of surreal joy.
“It brings tears to my eyes, but they are joyful tears,” Shines told the Indianapolis Recorder. “If you had told me that something like that would have happened to me, there is no way I could have imagined that in my lifetime. For that to become a reality is more special than I can ever say.”
Put simply: Shines oozed Indianapolis baseball. Now, his name will forever be engrained in the hearts of fans as well as the Circle City itself. Shines knows just how special that is.
“I am more grateful than they [fans] will ever know,” Shines said. “All I ever wanted to do was play baseball, to play in a city that accepted me as who I am. I can’t thank them enough; Indianapolis is forever home for me.”
The jersey retirement of Razor Shines is Sept. 14 at Victory Field. The weekend has been aptly named “Razor Shines Weekend” by the Indianapolis Indians.
Contact multi-media & Senior Sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on Twitter @3Noral.
