Benjamin Cowan Shields [Lefty or Big Ben] (June 17, 1903 – January 24, 1982) was a middle relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1924 through 1931 for the New York Yankees (1924–1925), Boston Red Sox (1930) and Philadelphia Phillies (1931). Listed at 6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m), 195 lb., Shields batted right-handed and threw left-handed. He was born in Huntersville, North Carolina. Shields died at the age of 78 in Woodruff, South Carolina.