1957 Milwaukee Braves | |
---|---|
World Champions National League Champions | |
League | National League |
Ballpark | Milwaukee County Stadium |
City | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
Record | 95–59 (.617) |
League place | 1st |
Owners | Louis R. Perini |
General managers | John J. Quinn |
Managers | Fred Haney |
Radio | WEMP WTMJ (Earl Gillespie, Blaine Walsh) |
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).
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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 |
National League | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Milwaukee Braves | 95 | 59 | 0.617 | — | 45–32 | 50–27 |
St. Louis Cardinals | 87 | 67 | 0.565 | 8 | 42–35 | 45–32 |
Brooklyn Dodgers | 84 | 70 | 0.545 | 11 | 43–34 | 41–36 |
Cincinnati Redlegs | 80 | 74 | 0.519 | 15 | 45–32 | 35–42 |
Philadelphia Phillies | 77 | 77 | 0.500 | 18 | 38–39 | 39–38 |
New York Giants | 69 | 85 | 0.448 | 26 | 37–40 | 32–45 |
Pittsburgh Pirates | 62 | 92 | 0.403 | 33 | 36–41 | 26–51 |
Chicago Cubs | 62 | 92 | 0.403 | 33 | 31–46 | 31–46 |
Sources: | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | BRO | CHC | CIN | MIL | NYG | PHI | PIT | STL | |||||
Brooklyn | — | 17–5 | 12–10 | 10–12 | 12–10 | 9–13 | 12–10 | 12–10 | |||||
Chicago | 5–17 | — | 7–15 | 9–13 | 9–13 | 8–14–1 | 12–10–1 | 12–10 | |||||
Cincinnati | 10–12 | 15–7 | — | 4–18 | 12–10 | 16–6 | 14–8 | 9–13 | |||||
Milwaukee | 12–10 | 13–9 | 18–4 | — | 13–9 | 12–10–1 | 16–6 | 11–11 | |||||
New York | 10–12 | 13–9 | 10–12 | 9–13 | — | 10–12 | 9–13 | 8–14 | |||||
Philadelphia | 13–9 | 14–8–1 | 6–16 | 10–12–1 | 12–10 | — | 13–9 | 9–13 | |||||
Pittsburgh | 10–12 | 10–12–1 | 8–14 | 6–16 | 13–9 | 9–13 | — | 6–16 | |||||
St. Louis | 10–12 | 10–12 | 13–9 | 11–11 | 14–8 | 13–9 | 16–6 | — |
1957 Milwaukee Braves | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Roster | |||||||||
Pitchers
| Catchers
Infielders
| Outfielders
| Manager Coaches
|
= Indicates team leader |
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C | Del Crandall | 118 | 383 | 97 | .253 | 15 | 46 |
1B | Frank Torre | 129 | 364 | 99 | .272 | 5 | 40 |
2B | Red Schoendienst | 93 | 394 | 122 | .310 | 6 | 32 |
3B | Eddie Mathews | 148 | 572 | 167 | .292 | 32 | 94 |
SS | Johnny Logan | 129 | 494 | 135 | .273 | 10 | 49 |
LF | Wes Covington | 96 | 328 | 93 | .284 | 21 | 65 |
CF | Bill Bruton | 79 | 306 | 85 | .278 | 5 | 30 |
RF | Hank Aaron | 151 | 615 | 198 | .322 | 44 | 132 |
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Andy Pafko | 83 | 220 | 61 | .277 | 8 | 27 |
Joe Adcock | 65 | 209 | 60 | .287 | 12 | 38 |
Danny O'Connell | 48 | 183 | 43 | .235 | 1 | 8 |
Félix Mantilla | 71 | 182 | 43 | .236 | 4 | 21 |
Bobby Thomson | 41 | 148 | 35 | .236 | 4 | 23 |
Del Rice | 54 | 144 | 33 | .229 | 9 | 20 |
Bob Hazle | 41 | 134 | 54 | .403 | 7 | 27 |
Carl Sawatski | 58 | 105 | 25 | .238 | 2 | 17 |
Nippy Jones | 30 | 79 | 21 | .266 | 2 | 8 |
Chuck Tanner | 22 | 69 | 17 | .246 | 2 | 6 |
John DeMerit | 33 | 34 | 5 | .147 | 0 | 1 |
Bobby Malkmus | 13 | 22 | 2 | .091 | 0 | 0 |
Dick Cole | 15 | 14 | 1 | .077 | 0 | 0 |
Harry Hanebrink | 6 | 7 | 2 | .286 | 0 | 0 |
Mel Roach | 7 | 6 | 1 | .167 | 0 | 0 |
Ray Shearer | 2 | 2 | 1 | .500 | 0 | 0 |
Hawk Taylor | 7 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Warren Spahn | 39 | 271.0 | 21 | 11 | 2.69 | 78 |
Lew Burdette | 37 | 256.2 | 17 | 9 | 3.71 | 111 |
Bob Buhl | 34 | 216.2 | 18 | 7 | 2.74 | 117 |
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gene Conley | 35 | 148.0 | 9 | 9 | 3.16 | 61 |
Bob Trowbridge | 32 | 126.0 | 7 | 5 | 3.64 | 75 |
Juan Pizarro | 24 | 99.1 | 5 | 6 | 4.62 | 68 |
Ray Crone | 11 | 42.1 | 3 | 1 | 4.46 | 15 |
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Don McMahon | 32 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 1.54 | 46 |
Ernie Johnson | 30 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 3.88 | 44 |
Taylor Phillips | 27 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5.55 | 36 |
Dave Jolly | 23 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5.02 | 27 |
Red Murff | 12 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4.85 | 13 |
Phil Paine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 2 |
Joey Jay | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
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.
NL Milwaukee Braves (4) vs. AL New York Yankees (3)
Game | Score | Date | Location | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Braves – 1, Yankees – 3 | October 2 | Yankee Stadium | 69,476 |
2 | Braves – 4, Yankees – 2 | October 3 | Yankee Stadium | 65,202 |
3 | Yankees – 12, Braves – 3 | October 5 | Milwaukee County Stadium | 45,804 |
4 | Yankees – 5, Braves – 7 (10 innings) | October 6 | Milwaukee County Stadium | 45,804 |
5 | Yankees – 0, Braves – 1 | October 7 | Milwaukee County Stadium | 45,811 |
6 | Braves – 2, Yankees – 3 | October 9 | Yankee Stadium | 61,408 |
7 | Braves – 5, Yankees – 0 | October 10 | Yankee Stadium | 61,207 |
1957 World Series (4–3): Milwaukee Braves (N.L.) over New York Yankees (A.L.)
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Milwaukee Braves | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 23 | 47 | 3 | |
New York Yankees | 4 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 25 | 57 | 6 | |
Total Attendance: 394,712 Average Attendance: 56,387 | ||||||||||||||
Winning Player's Share: – $8,924 Losing Player's Share – $5,606 |
1957 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Atlanta, Evansville, Salinas
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.