Joe Schaffernoth

Joseph Arthur "Joe" Schaffernoth (August 6, 1937 – June 18, 2016) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher who played in parts of three seasons.

The right-handed pitcher appeared in 74 games, all but one as a relief pitcher, for the Chicago Cubs from 1959 to 1961 and the Cleveland Indians in 1961.

Schaffernoth attended Jonathan Dayton High School in Springfield Township, Union County, New Jersey. After graduating, he was signed as an amateur free agent by the Chicago Cubs.

He began his professional career in 1956 with the Paris Lakers. In 31 games, he had a win–loss record of 21–6 and a 2.72 earned run average (ERA).

The following two seasons, he played for the Des Moines Bruins and Pueblo Bruins and had records of 9–12 and 5–8.

After joining the Cubs roster for spring training, Schaffernoth made the team, making his Major League Baseball debut on April 15, 1959. When the Cubs signed Bob Porterfield a month later, Schaffernoth was placed on the disabled list due to an elbow injury, and finished the year with the Fort Worth Cats.

In 1960, Schaffernoth spent the year with the Cubs, and had his best season. In 33 games with the team, he had a 2–3 record, a 2.78 ERA, and 33 strikeouts in 55 innings pitched.

In 1961, he was less effective, and had a 0–4 record and a 6.34 ERA. As a result, he was released where the Cleveland Indians picked him up, and he played in 15 games for The Tribe. At the end of the season, the Washington Senators purchased his contract, but later on sent him back, and he spent the 1962 season in the minor leagues.

Schaffernoth spent the year with the Jacksonville Suns, compiling an 18–11 record with a 2.67 ERA in 30 starts, being named the International League pitcher of the year due to his play. Schaffernoth spent 1963 with Jacksonville in what ended up being his final professional season, finishing with a 3–7 record and a 3.47 ERA in 17 games.

He died of cancer in 2016, at the age of 78.