1957 Milwaukee Braves season

Last updated

1957  Milwaukee Braves
World Champions
National League Champions
League National League
Ballpark Milwaukee County Stadium
City Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Record95–59 (.617)
League place1st
Owners Louis R. Perini
General managers John J. Quinn
Managers Fred Haney
Radio WEMP
WTMJ
(Earl Gillespie, Blaine Walsh)
  1956
1958  

The 1957 Milwaukee Braves season was the fifth season in Milwaukee and the 87th season of the franchise. It was the year that the team won its first and only World Series championship while based in Milwaukee. The Braves won 95 games and lost 59 to win the National League pennant by eight games over the second-place St. Louis Cardinals. This season was the best season for the Milwaukee Braves (1953-1965) in terms of wins (95) and winning percentage (.617).

Contents

The club went on to the 1957 World Series, where they faced the New York Yankees. Pitcher Lew Burdette was the star and Most Valuable Player, winning three games, including the crucial seventh game played in New York City. The Braves became the first team not based in New York to win the World Series since the Cleveland Indians in 1948.

Offseason

Regular season

Season summary

The Braves finished the regular season with a 95–59 record, and they scored 772 runs while giving up 613. They played their home games in Milwaukee County Stadium, where they sold just over 2,220,000 tickets, tops in the National League.

Offense

The Braves were led on offense by right fielder Hank Aaron, who won the National League Most Valuable Player award in just his fourth year in the major leagues. Fielding well in 151 games in right field, Aaron also led the National League with 118 runs scored, 44 home runs, a career high of 132 runs batted in, and 369 total bases. He also struck out just 58 times. Aaron also finished high in the league standings with 198 hits, a .322 batting average, and a .600 slugging percentage.

Another offensive star was third baseman Eddie Mathews. On June 12, Mathews hit the 200th home run of his career. [5] For the season, Matthews was second on the team with 167 hits, 109 runs scored, 32 home runs, 94 runs batted in, and 148 games played.

In addition, the Braves' new second baseman, Red Schoendienst, was acquired in a trade on June 15, and he played in 93 games. Given up in this trade were Bobby Thomson (who was batting just .236) and Danny O'Connell (who was batting just .235). Wes Covington was the main replacement for Thomson in left field. Covington played in 96 games, batted .284, and batted in 65 runs, third on the team.

Del Crandall was the Braves' catcher in 118 of the 154 games. Del Rice was his primary backup, and he played in 54 games, including pinch-hitting.

Pitching

Starting pitcher Warren Spahn was the Cy Young Award winner as the best pitcher in Major League Baseball, the first left-handed pitcher to win the award. [6] Spahn finished with 35 games started with a 21–11 record. He also relieved in four games, saving three of those. Spahn led the National League with 21 wins and 18 complete games, and he had a 2.69 earned-run average in 271 innings pitched. Spahn was backed up by starters Bob Buhl (18–7) and Lew Burdette (17–9).

Manager

Fred Haney, coming off his good performance in 1956, managed the Braves for the entire season in 1957. Haney also led the Braves to the top of the regular-season standings in 1958 and 1959, including the 1958 World Series, but after 1959, he never managed another Major League team again, although he did become the general manager of the Los Angeles Angels.

Injuries

The Braves overcame two serious injuries during the 1957 season that caused some players to miss large parts of the year. First baseman Joe Adcock was injured in mid-season, and only played in 65 games, in which he batted in 38 runs. Frank Torre filled in for him and batted .272 in 129 games. Center fielder Bill Bruton injured his knee after playing in just 79 games, missing the rest of the season. He was replaced by Andy Pafko, who played in 83 games.

Opening Day lineup

Danny O'Connell 2B
Hank Aaron RF
Eddie Mathews 3B
Joe Adcock 1B
Bobby Thomson LF
Johnny Logan SS
Bill Bruton CF
Del Crandall C
Warren Spahn P

Notable transactions

Season standings

National League W L Pct. GB Home Road
Milwaukee Braves 95590.61745–3250–27
St. Louis Cardinals 87670.565842–3545–32
Brooklyn Dodgers 84700.5451143–3441–36
Cincinnati Redlegs 80740.5191545–3235–42
Philadelphia Phillies 77770.5001838–3939–38
New York Giants 69850.4482637–4032–45
Pittsburgh Pirates 62920.4033336–4126–51
Chicago Cubs 62920.4033331–4631–46

Record vs. opponents


Sources:
TeamBROCHCCINMILNYGPHIPITSTL
Brooklyn 17–512–1010–1212–109–1312–1012–10
Chicago 5–177–159–139–138–14–112–10–112–10
Cincinnati 10–1215–74–1812–1016–614–89–13
Milwaukee 12–1013–918–413–912–10–116–611–11
New York 10–1213–910–129–1310–129–138–14
Philadelphia 13–914–8–16–1610–12–112–1013–99–13
Pittsburgh 10–1210–12–18–146–1613–99–136–16
St. Louis 10–1210–1213–911–1114–813–916–6

Roster

1957 Milwaukee Braves
Roster
PitchersCatchers

Infielders

OutfieldersManager

Coaches

[8]

Player stats

= Indicates team leader

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

PosPlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
C Del Crandall 11838397.2531546
1B Frank Torre 12936499.272540
2B Red Schoendienst 93394122.310632
3B Eddie Mathews 148572167.2923294
SS Johnny Logan 129494135.2731049
LF Wes Covington 9632893.2842165
CF Bill Bruton 7930685.278530
RF Hank Aaron 151615198.32244132

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

PlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
Andy Pafko 8322061.277827
Joe Adcock 6520960.2871238
Danny O'Connell 4818343.23518
Félix Mantilla 7118243.236421
Bobby Thomson 4114835.236423
Del Rice 5414433.229920
Bob Hazle 4113454.403727
Carl Sawatski 5810525.238217
Nippy Jones 307921.26628
Chuck Tanner 226917.24626
John DeMerit 33345.14701
Bobby Malkmus 13222.09100
Dick Cole 15141.07700
Harry Hanebrink 672.28600
Mel Roach 761.16700
Ray Shearer 221.50000
Hawk Taylor 710.00000

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGIPWLERASO
Warren Spahn 39271.021112.6978
Lew Burdette 37256.21793.71111
Bob Buhl 34216.21872.74117

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGIPWLERASO
Gene Conley 35148.0993.1661
Bob Trowbridge 32126.0753.6475
Juan Pizarro 2499.1564.6268
Ray Crone 1142.1314.4615

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGWLSVERASO
Don McMahon 322381.5446
Ernie Johnson 307343.8844
Taylor Phillips 273225.5536
Dave Jolly 231115.0227
Red Murff 122224.8513
Phil Paine 10000.002
Joey Jay 10000.000

1957 World Series

This was the Braves' first World Championship since the "Miracle Braves" of 1914, and their only one while based in Milwaukee (out of two chances). To date, the Braves' have won two World Championships: one in the 1995 World Series, when the now-Atlanta Braves defeated the Cleveland Indians, and the second in the 2021 World Series, when Atlanta defeated the Houston Astros.

World Series MVP Lew Burdette won two games in Yankee Stadium and one game in Milwaukee County Stadium. Warren Spahn had the other Braves's victory.

Summary

NL Milwaukee Braves (4) vs. AL New York Yankees (3)

GameScoreDateLocationAttendance
1Braves – 1, Yankees – 3October 2 Yankee Stadium 69,476
2Braves – 4, Yankees – 2October 3 Yankee Stadium 65,202
3Yankees – 12, Braves – 3October 5 Milwaukee County Stadium 45,804
4Yankees – 5, Braves – 7 (10 innings)October 6 Milwaukee County Stadium 45,804
5Yankees – 0, Braves – 1October 7 Milwaukee County Stadium 45,811
6Braves – 2, Yankees – 3October 9 Yankee Stadium 61,408
7Braves – 5, Yankees – 0October 10 Yankee Stadium 61,207

Composite line score

1957 World Series (4–3): Milwaukee Braves (N.L.) over New York Yankees (A.L.)

Team12345678910RHE
Milwaukee Braves025631210323473
New York Yankees415212603125576
Total Attendance: 394,712   Average Attendance: 56,387
Winning Player's Share: – $8,924   Losing Player's Share – $5,606

Awards and honors

World Series awards

All-Stars

1957 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Farm system

LevelTeamLeagueManager
AAA Wichita Braves American Association Ben Geraghty
AA Atlanta Crackers Southern Association Bud Bates
AA Austin Senators Texas League Sibby Sisti
A Jacksonville Braves Sally League Mickey Owen, Grady Wilson and Joe Just
A Topeka Hawks Western League Red Smith and Bill Dossey
B Corpus Christi Clippers Big State League Joe Just and Jack Wilkinson
B Evansville Braves Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League Bob Coleman
C Salinas Packers California League Leo Thomas and Bill Krueger
C Eau Claire Braves Northern League Gordon Maltzberger
C Boise Braves Pioneer League George McQuinn
D Leesburg Braves Florida State League Tommy Giordano
D Waycross Braves Georgia–Florida League Mike Fandozzi
D McCook Braves Nebraska State League Bill Steinecke
D Wellsville Braves New York–Penn League Alex Monchak
D Lawton Braves Sooner State League Travis Jackson

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Atlanta, Evansville, Salinas

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warren Spahn</span> American baseball player (1921–2003)

Warren Edward Spahn was an American professional baseball pitcher who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). A left-handed pitcher, Spahn played in 1942 and then from 1946 until 1965, most notably for the Boston Braves, who became the Milwaukee Braves after the team moved west before the 1953 season. His baseball career was interrupted by his military service in the United States Army during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Mathews</span> American baseball player and manager (1931-2001)

Edwin Lee Mathews was an American professional baseball third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 17 seasons for the Boston / Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves (1952–1966); Houston Astros (1967) and Detroit Tigers (1967–68). Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978, he is the only player to have represented the Braves in the three cities they have called home. He played 1,944 games for the Braves during their 13-season tenure in Milwaukee—the prime of Mathews' career.

The 1958 World Series was the championship series in Major League Baseball for the 1958 season. The 55th edition of the World Series, it matched the American League champion New York Yankees and the National League champion Milwaukee Braves. In a reversal from 1957, the Yankees defeated the Braves in seven games to win their 18th title, and their seventh in 10 years. With that victory, the Yankees became only the second team in Major League Baseball history to come back from a 3–1 deficit to win a best-of-seven World Series; the first was the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1925. These teams would meet again in the fall classic 38 years later—by that time, the Braves had moved to Atlanta. As of 2024, this is the most recent World Series featuring the two previous Series winning teams.

The 1957 World Series featured the defending champion New York Yankees of the American League playing against the Milwaukee Braves of the National League. After finishing just one game behind the N.L. Champion Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956, the Braves came back in 1957 to win their first pennant since moving from Boston in 1953. The Braves won the Series in seven games, behind Lew Burdette's three complete game victories. The Braves would be the only team besides the Yankees, Dodgers, or Giants to win a World Series title in the 1950s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Buhl</span> American baseball player (1928-2001)

Robert Ray Buhl was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lew Burdette</span> American baseball player

Selva Lewis Burdette, Jr. was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Boston / Milwaukee Braves. 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. An outstanding control pitcher, his career average of 1.84 walks per nine innings pitched places him behind only Robin Roberts (1.73), Greg Maddux (1.80), Carl Hubbell, (1.82) and Juan Marichal (1.82) among pitchers with at least 3,000 innings since 1920.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred Haney</span> American baseball player, manager, and executive (1896-1977)

Fred Girard Haney was an American third baseman, manager, coach and executive in Major League Baseball (MLB). As a manager, he won two pennants and a world championship with the Milwaukee Braves. He later served as the first general manager of the expansion Los Angeles Angels in the American League. For years, Haney was one of the most popular baseball figures in Los Angeles. In 1974 he was presented with the King of Baseball award given by Minor League Baseball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Del Crandall</span> American baseball player and manager (1930–2021)

Delmar Wesley Crandall was an American professional baseball player and manager. Crandall played as a catcher in Major League Baseball from 1949 to 1966, most prominently as a member of the Boston / Milwaukee Braves where, he was an eleven-time All-Star player and was a member of the 1957 World Series winning team.

The following are the baseball events of the year 1957 throughout the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wes Covington</span> American baseball player

John Wesley Covington was an American professional baseball left fielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1956 through 1966 for the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He stood 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m), weighing 205 pounds. Covington batted left-handed and threw right-handed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Jolly</span> American baseball player (1924-1963)

David Jolly was a Major League Baseball relief pitcher.

The 1957 New York Yankees season was the 55th season for the team. The team finished with a record of 98–56 to win their 23rd pennant, finishing eight games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. New York was managed by Casey Stengel. The Yankees played their home games at Yankee Stadium.

The 1958 New York Yankees season was the 56th season for the team. The team finished with a record of 92–62, winning their 24th pennant, finishing 10 games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. In the World Series, they defeated the Milwaukee Braves in 7 games. New York was managed by Casey Stengel. The Yankees played their home games at Yankee Stadium. In 1958, the Yankees became New York City's only professional baseball team after the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles and the New York Giants left for San Francisco. The Yankees would hold this distinction until 1962, when the New York Mets began play.

The 1965 New York Mets season was the fourth regular season for the Mets. They went 50–112 and finished tenth and last in the National League. They were managed by Casey Stengel and Wes Westrum. They played home games at Shea Stadium, where they drew 1.77 million paying fans, third in the National League.

The 1958 Milwaukee Braves season was the sixth in Milwaukee and the 88th overall season of the franchise. The Braves finished first in the National League with a 92–62 record and returned to the World Series for the second consecutive year, losing to the New York Yankees in seven games. The Braves set a Major League record which still stands for the fewest players caught stealing in a season, with 8.

The 1965 San Francisco Giants season was the Giants' 83rd year in Major League Baseball, their eighth year in San Francisco since their move from New York following the 1957 season, and their sixth at Candlestick Park. The team finished in second place in the National League with a 95–67 record, 2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 1956 Milwaukee Braves season was the fourth in Milwaukee and the 86th overall season of the franchise. The Braves finished in second place in the National League, just one game behind the Brooklyn Dodgers in the league standings, and one game ahead of the Cincinnati Reds. All three teams posted wins on the final day of the season; the Braves had entered the final three games with a game advantage, but dropped the first two at St. Louis while the Dodgers swept the Pirates.

The 1959 Milwaukee Braves season was the seventh season for the franchise in Milwaukee and its 89th season overall. The season's home attendance was 1,749,112, second in the majors and the eight-team National League, but the lowest to date in Milwaukee and the last over 1.5 million.

The 1961 Milwaukee Braves season was the ninth in Milwaukee and the 91st overall season of the franchise.

The 1959 National League tie-breaker series was a best-of-three playoff series that extended Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1959 regular season to decide the winner of the National League (NL) pennant. The tiebreaker series was necessary after the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Braves finished the season with identical win–loss records of 86–68 (.558) on Sunday, September 27, three games ahead of the San Francisco Giants. It was the first tie-breaker in the majors in eight years, also in the National League.

References

  1. Carl Sawatski at Baseball-Reference
  2. Roger McCardell at Baseball-Reference
  3. Marshall Bridges at Baseball-Reference
  4. Merritt Ranew at Baseball-Reference
  5. Eddie Mathews at The Baseball Page
  6. Great Baseball Feats, Facts and Figures, 2008 Edition, p. 234, David Nemec and Scott Flatow, A Signet Book, Penguin Group, New York, ISBN   978-0-451-22363-0
  7. Red Schoendienst at Baseball-Reference
  8. "1957 Milwaukee Braves Roster". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved October 27, 2019.