‘Big Game James’ Shields anything but in Game 1 of World Series for Royals

Royals ace James Shields had a rough start in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night, continuing a rough postseason for the right-hander and causing many to question his “Big Game James” nickname.

by Eric Stephen

Oct 22, 2014, 2:43 AM UTC

Rob Carr

Kansas City Royals ace James Shields was battered for five runs on seven hits while recording only nine outs on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the 2014 World Series.

By all accounts Shields had a fine season for the Royals, going 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA in 34 starts, but the postseason has been a rough stretch for him. In four starts, the right-hander has allowed 15 runs on 28 hits in 19 innings, a 7.11 ERA that has hardly been convenient for Kansas City.

Not by any fault of his own, but Shields' nickname of "Big Game James" deserves some scrutiny. It stems from his minor league days with the Tampa Bay Rays, but through Tuesday night Shields now has a 5.74 ERA in 10 postseason starts, and hasn't lasted beyond six innings in any start since Game 1 of the ALCS. In 2008.

The reaction to Shields’ Game 1 start suggests a nickname change is in order.

ok maybe it's jus me; hey James "Big Game" Shields, what blind baseball fool gave u that nik name?? last 4… http://t.co/fI4VV4CeIh
— Charlie Sheen (@charliesheen) October 22, 2014

Anyone in media or TV should be fined if they use the term "Big Game James" again. Not trying to be mean #justsayin
— Mark Mulder (@markmulder20) October 22, 2014

If your nickname is "Big Game James" shouldn't you, you know, pitch good in big games? #6.43ERAINTHEPOSTSEASON
— Dick Fisher (@TheFishman8) October 22, 2014

Apparently lots of people in booths still do call him "Big Game James." I stand corrected. (Message to those people: Stop).
— Joe Posnanski (@JPosnanski) October 22, 2014

Can we get rid of the "Big Game" James title finally? #WorldSeries
— Brian Atwood (@thebrianatwood) October 22, 2014

Are they still calling James Shields "Big Game"?
— A Boy Named Sue (@greggorox) October 22, 2014

More like big game for the other team James...
— Easton Mitchell (@EastonMitchell) October 22, 2014

I guess it's not-so-big game James then...
— Josh Costagliola (@joch116) October 22, 2014

Looks like the game was a little too big for James
— Seanshank Redemption (@sean_mintert20) October 22, 2014

That Big Game James moniker came from him being a hunter or something, yeah. More like Slim Chance Jim right about now. #WorldSeries
— Mike Lebischak (@shock975) October 22, 2014

James Shields has a 3-4 postseason record and is a 1x All-Star. How he got the nickname "Big Game" James is one of life’s great mysteries.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 22, 2014

So, how did "Big Game" James Shields get his nickname? Dude has a career postseason ERA of 5.74. "No Game" James.
— Chris Mayerski (@Mersk33) October 22, 2014

There remains one undeniable truth.