Comfortably Zoned with Ralph Zig Tyko

RIP Selva Lou [Lew?] Burdette And The Milwaulke Braves

February 6, 2007 at 11:26 pm (Baseball, Life & Death)

In addition,Lew was a terrific hitter [for a pitcher :-)].

In 1957 “Saliva Lou” [sometimes he signed autographs Lou, at other times Lew. Ver vehst?], a reputed spitballer, set the mighty Yankees on their collective heels by winning three games in the World Series. That was some Braves team. Start with [then] future Hall of Famers Warren Spahn, Henry Aaron, Ed Mathews and Red Schoendienst. Add a pitching staff that not only included Burdette, an All Star, but also Don Buhl, Bob Rush, Juan Pizzaro, Carlton Willey and Don McMahon. In addition there were solid players at every position. Tough as nails Johnny Logan, old Cub Andy Pafko, power hitting Joe Adcock, Frank [Joe’s brother] Torre, slick Billy Bruton, Del Crandall, [the premier catcher in the National League] and Wes Covington [an unlikely fielding hero of that series]. The bench included than future Met Felix Mantilla, terrific backup catcher Del Rice, Nippy Jones [He of shoe polish fame], future New York Giant Danny O’Connell and phenom Hurricane Hazel. Man for man, that was as good a ball club as I’ve ever seen.

One of my favorite Braves, Johnny Logan, ss.

Don McMahon, reliever supreme.

The great Ed Mathews, 3b and…

… Red Schoendienst, 2b. Hall O’ Famers both.

Outfielder Johnny Demerit, future Mets expansion draft choice.

Billy Bruton, solid in center.

Former Senator Bobby Malkmus played some infield for the ’57 Braves.

 

What can I say, that hasn’t been said, about pitcher Ray Crone? He was once a New York Giant and that makes him very special to me.

Outfielder Bobby Thomson, former and future New York Giant.

The great Warren Spahn, #21

Future Pirates manager, Chuck Tanner, of. [and father of Bruce]

Juan Pizarro was a 20 year old rookie pitcher n 1957

Dick Cole played some infield for the ’57 World Champions.

Del Crandall wore #1 and was the #1 catcher in the NL by ’57

Capable Del Rice backed up Crandall.

Carl Sawaski backed up Del Rice.

Rookie Bob”Hawk” Taylor got a “cup of coffee with the Bavos in 1957.

Andy Pafko platooned with…

… Wes Covington, a surprise defensive star in the ’57 Woild Serious.

Ray Shearer played outfield, ever so sparingly.

Nippy Jones, from Sacramento.

Danny O’Connell, a future Giant in 1957

Bob “Hurricane” Hazle was the “Natural” in ’57

Gene Conely, “posted up” the Brave rotation.

Bob Buhl was the worst hitter in baseball, but a solid pitcher.

Carlton Willey, future Met.

Bob Trowbridge had the most interesting name on the team.

Years later, Ernie Johnson Jr. would announce Brave games. His dad [pictured bellow] was a part of a terrific pitching staff.

Joey Jay was the first former Little Leaguer to make the majors.

Dave Jolly, another solid reliever.

Bob Rush came over from the Cubs with…

… infielder Casey Wise.

Red Murff, after his pitching career ended, became a scout for the Mets and signed Nolan Ryan.

Felix Mantilla, excellent utility infielder for the Braves. While playing every day for the Mets, later on in is career, he didn’t show much excellence.

Mel [smoke the ] Roach, another fine utility infielder.

Yet another utility infielder was Harry Hanebrink.

Fred Haney was the skipper.

Here’s Fred, with his coaches:

Joe Adcock was a terrific hitter…

… as was Frank Torre, his platoon mate.

Pitcher Phil Paine is pictured bellow.

Another former Cubby, Taylor Phillips pitched for the Braves in ’57.

Henry Aaron, in his prime.