Lew Burdette

Lew Burdette

Burdette in 1954.
Pitcher
Born: (1926-11-22)November 22, 1926
Nitro, West Virginia
Died: February 6, 2007(2007-02-06) (aged 80)
Winter Garden, Florida
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 26, 1950, for the New York Yankees
Last MLB appearance
July 16, 1967, for the California Angels
MLB statistics
Win–loss record 203–144
Earned run average 3.66
Strikeouts 1,074
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Selva Lewis Burdette, Jr. (November 22, 1926 – February 6, 2007) was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves.[1] The team's top right-hander during its years in Milwaukee, he was the Most Valuable Player of the 1957 World Series, leading the franchise to its first championship in 43 years, and the only title in Milwaukee history.[2] An outstanding control pitcher, his career average of 1.84 walks per nine innings pitched places him behind only Robin Roberts (1.73), Carl Hubbell (1.82) and Juan Marichal (1.82) among pitchers with at least 3,000 innings since 1920.

Major League career

Born in Nitro, West Virginia, Burdette was signed by the New York Yankees in 1947, and after making two relief appearances for the team in September 1950, he was traded to the Braves in August 1951 for four-time 20-game winner Johnny Sain.[3] Along with left-hander Warren Spahn and Bob Buhl, he gave the Braves one of the best starting rotations in the majors during the 1950s, winning 15 or more games eight times between 1953 and 1961. Burdette led National League pitchers in earned run average in 1956.[4] When Milwaukee won the 1957 World Series against the Yankees, Burdette became the first pitcher in 37 years to win three complete games in a series, and the first since Christy Mathewson in 1905 to pitch two shutouts (Games 5 and 7).[5][6] In the 1958 Series, however, the Yankees defeated Burdette twice in three starts.[7] In addition to winning 20 games in 1958 and tying Spahn for the National League lead with 21 victories in 1959, Burdette won 19 in 1956 and 1960, 18 in 1961, and 17 in 1957.[1][8]

Burdette was the winning pitcher on May 26, 1959 when the Pittsburgh Pirates' Harvey Haddix pitched a perfect game against the Braves for 12 innings, only to lose in the 13th.[9] Burdette threw a 1–0 shutout, scattering 12 hits. In the ensuing offseason, he joked, "I'm the greatest pitcher that ever lived. The greatest game that was ever pitched in baseball wasn't good enough to beat me, so I've got to be the greatest!" On August 18 of the following year, facing the minimum 27 batters, Burdette no-hit the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0 at Milwaukee County Stadium.[10] Tony González, the only opposing batter to reach base after being hit by a pitch in the fifth inning, was retired on a double play. Burdette helped himself by scoring the only run of the game; after doubling to lead off the eighth inning, he scored on Bill Bruton's double one batter later. Following up his no-hitter, five days later he pitched his third shutout in a row.[11]

In 1963 Burdette was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals (1963–64), and was later sent to the Chicago Cubs (1964–65) and Phillies (1965).[3] Signing with the California Angels, he pitched exclusively in relief for the team in 1966 and 1967 before retiring.

Career statistics

In an 18-year career, Burdette posted a 203–144 record with 1074 strikeouts and a 3.66 ERA in 3067.1 innings, compiling 158 complete games and 33 shutouts.[1] In two All-Star games, he allowed only one run in seven innings pitched,[12][13] and in 1956 he topped National League pitchers with a 2.70 earned run average.[1] He was twice a twenty-game winner and twice led the National League in shutouts.[1] He also led the National League in wins, earned run average, innings and complete games once each.[1] His totals of wins, games and innings with the Braves ranked behind only Spahn and Kid Nichols in franchise history. He won his only NL Player of the Month award in August 1958 (7-1, 1.89 ERA, 38 SO); teammate pitcher Joey Jay had won the award the month previous. As a hitter, he compiled a .183 batting average with 75 RBI and 12 home runs;[1] his first two home runs came in the same 1957 game, and he later had two more two-homer games.[14][15]

Burdette was a very fidgety pitcher, constantly scratching himself and fussing with his uniform before pitches. Former manager Fred Haney once said, "Burdette would make coffee nervous."[5] Frequently repeated motions such as bringing his fingers to his lips and wiping sweat from his forehead lead to rumors of throwing spitballs,[6][16] leading New York Times sportswriter Red Smith to write, "There should be 3 pitching statistics for Burdette: Wins, Losses, and Relative Humidity."

In 1958, a reference to Burdette appeared in an episode of Leave It To Beaver. The text "Lew Burdette just hit a home run and Milwaukee leads seven to one in the series." appears briefly in a few frames showing a letter from the principal to Beaver's parents.[17] Burdette also cut a record in the 1950s entitled "Three Strikes and Then You're Out".

Burdette was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.[18] He died of lung cancer at age 80 in Winter Garden, Florida.[5]

Personal

Burdette's grandson, Nolan Fontana, is a professional baseball player.[19]

Highlights

See also

References

External links

Preceded by
Joey Jay		 Major League Player of the Month
August 1958 		Succeeded by
Willie Mays
Preceded by
Don Cardwell		 No-hitter pitcher
August 18, 1960 		Succeeded by
Warren Spahn
Preceded by
Harry Dorish		 Atlanta Braves pitching coach
1972–1973 		Succeeded by
Herm Starrette
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