Lew Burdette facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lew Burdette |
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Burdette in 1954
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: November 22, 1926 Nitro, West Virginia, U.S. |
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| Died: February 6, 2007 (aged 80) Winter Garden, Florida, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 26, 1950, for the New York Yankees | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| July 16, 1967, for the California Angels | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 203–144 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.66 | ||
| Strikeouts | 1,074 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Lew Burdette (born November 22, 1926 – died February 6, 2007) was an American baseball pitcher. He played mostly for the Milwaukee Braves. He was one of the team's best pitchers during their time in Milwaukee.
Lew Burdette was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1957 World Series. He helped his team win their first championship in 43 years. This was also the only championship the Braves won while playing in Milwaukee. Burdette was known for his amazing control, meaning he rarely walked batters.
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Lew Burdette's Baseball Career
Lew Burdette was born in Nitro, West Virginia. He started his professional baseball career with the New York Yankees in 1947. He played a couple of games for them in 1950.
In 1951, he was traded to the Braves. He joined two other great pitchers, Warren Spahn and Bob Buhl. Together, they formed one of the best pitching teams in baseball during the 1950s. Burdette won 15 or more games many times between 1953 and 1961.
Winning the World Series
In 1956, Burdette led all National League pitchers in earned run average. This means he allowed the fewest earned runs per game.
In 1957, the Milwaukee Braves played against the New York Yankees in the 1957 World Series. Burdette became the first pitcher in 37 years to win three complete games in a World Series. A complete game means the pitcher plays the whole game without anyone else pitching. He was also the first pitcher since Christy Mathewson in 1905 to pitch two shutouts. A shutout means the other team scores no runs.
Burdette started Game 7 of the 1957 World Series. He did this even though the usual starter, Warren Spahn, was sick. The Braves won the World Series, and Burdette was named the MVP.
Later Career Highlights
In the 1958 World Series, the Yankees beat Burdette twice. He started Game 7 again, but this time his team lost.
Burdette won 20 games in 1958. He also tied Spahn for the National League lead with 21 wins in 1959. He won 19 games in 1956 and 1960, 18 in 1961, and 17 in 1957.
On May 26, 1959, Burdette was the winning pitcher in a very famous game. The Pittsburgh Pirates' Harvey Haddix pitched a perfect game for 12 innings against the Braves. This means no batter reached base. But in the 13th inning, Haddix's team lost. Burdette pitched a 1–0 shutout in the same game, even though he allowed 12 hits.
On August 18, 1960, Burdette pitched a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies. This means no batter got a hit. Only one opposing batter reached base, but he was then out on a double play. Burdette also helped his own cause by scoring the only run of the game. He hit a double and then scored. After his no-hitter, he pitched two more shutouts in a row!
Moving Teams
In 1963, Burdette was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. He later played for the Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies. He then signed with the California Angels. He played as a relief pitcher for the Angels in 1966 and 1967 before he retired.
Lew Burdette's Career Numbers
Over his 18-year career, Lew Burdette had a record of 203 wins and 144 losses. He had 1,074 strikeouts and an earned run average of 3.66. He pitched 158 complete games and 33 shutouts.
He was chosen for the All-Star team twice. In 1956, he led the National League with a 2.70 earned run average. He led the National League in wins, earned run average, innings pitched, and complete games once each. He also led the league in shutouts twice.
Burdette was also a good hitter for a pitcher. He hit 12 home runs and had 75 RBI. He even hit two home runs in the same game twice! He was the first pitcher since 1940 to hit a home run in the World Series.
Pitching Style and Rumors
Burdette was known for being a very active pitcher on the mound. He would often scratch himself or adjust his uniform before pitches. This led to rumors that he was throwing spitballs. A spitball is an illegal pitch where the pitcher puts moisture on the ball.
Burdette always denied throwing a spitball. He would joke, "It's the best pitch I've got—and I don't throw it." Even with his denials, the rumors continued throughout his career.
Lew Burdette's Life After Baseball
Lew Burdette was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 80 from lung cancer.
In 1958, Lew Burdette was mentioned in an episode of the TV show Leave It to Beaver. He also released a music single in 1958 with two Rockabilly songs.
Burdette's grandson, Nolan Fontana, also became a professional baseball player.
Career Highlights
- Two-time All-Star (1957, 1959)
- World Series champion (1957)
- World Series MVP (1957)
- Led National League in wins (1959)
- Led National League in games started (1959)
- Led National League in complete games (1960)
- Led National League in shutouts twice (1956, 1959)
- Pitched a no-hitter on August 18, 1960
- Braves Hall of Fame
- American Family Field Walk of Fame
See also
- List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
