Primarily a relief pitcher, Shuey pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians (1994–2002), Los Angeles Dodgers (2002–2003) and Baltimore Orioles (2007).

While pitching for the baseball team at Millbrook, Shuey threw a no-hitter against Garner High School.

[6] At UNC, Shuey was named a freshman All-American and All-ACC pitcher for the Tar Heels in 1990, as he had an 8-1 win–loss record and eight saves.

[7] He led the team with 31 appearances, and the Tar Heels were the ACC regular season and tournament championships.

[5] Though he suffered a patellar tendon rupture in 1991, Shuey led the Tar Heels with a 1.70 earned run average (ERA) that season.

[4] That summer, Shuey pitched for the United States national baseball team in the Pan American Games.

The Indians envisioned that Shuey could develop into a closer similar to Rob Dibble of the Cincinnati Reds.

[1] Shuey made his professional debut with the Columbus Red Stixx of the Class-A South Atlantic League in 1992.

[14] He also pitched for the Buffalo Bisons of the International League in 1995, and spent time on the disabled list with an injured hamstring.

[15] He also pitched for the Senadores de San Juan of the Puerto Rico Baseball League that winter to gain more experience.

[17] Shuey received a three-year contract from the Indians at the start of the 1997 season, worth $3.203 million guaranteed.

[16] With José Mesa and Mike Jackson serving as closers for the Indians, Shuey pitched in middle relief.

[4][19] In 1998, he led all American League relief pitchers with a .132 (7–for–53) batting average against when the opposition had baserunners in scoring position.

[4] His strong performances while healthy gave the Indians hope that Shuey could become their closer in due time.

Over the next several seasons, he had multiple surgeries on his hip, including repairing a torn labrum and removing bone spurs.

With the Dodgers in the playoff chase that season, they hoped to pair him with closer Éric Gagné to form a strong bullpen for the later portions of games.

During spring training prior to the 2004 season, he tore a ligament in his thumb and reinjured his hip while fielding a bunt during his rehabilitation.

He made one appearance for the Class-AA Bowie Baysox, and then joined the Norfolk Tides, the Orioles' Class-AAA affiliate.