Lew Burdette

Lew Burdette, born Selva Lewis Burdette, Jr. (November 22, 1926 in Nitro, West Virginia), is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with the New York Yankees (1950), Boston & Milwaukee Braves (1951-63), St. Louis Cardinals (1963-64), Chicago Cubs (1964-65), Philadelphia Phillies (1965) and California Angels (1966-67). He batted and threw right handed.

Related Topics:
November 22 - 1926 - Nitro, West Virginia - Starting pitcher - Major League Baseball - New York Yankees - Boston & Milwaukee Braves - St. Louis Cardinals - Chicago Cubs - Philadelphia Phillies - California Angels

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Arguably, Burdette was the best right handed pitcher in Milwaukee Braves history. Along with future Hall of Famer left-handed Warren Spahn and hard worker Bob Buhl, Burdette gave the Braves one of the best starting rotations in the majors during the 1950s.

Related Topics:
Hall of Famer - Warren Spahn - Bob Buhl

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Besides winning 20 games in 1958 and 21 in 1959, Burdette won 19 in 1956 and 1960, 18 in 1961, and 17 in 1957. In two All-Star games, he allowed only one run in seven innings pitched, and in 1956, he topped the league pitchers with a 2.70 ERA.

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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, including two shutouts in four days. He was given the World Series MVP Award.

Related Topics:
1957 World Series - Yankees - Complete game - Shutout - World Series MVP Award

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Facing the minimum 27 batters, Burdette pitched a 1?0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies. Tony González, the only opposite batter to reach base after a hit by pitch in the fifth inning, was retired on a double play. Burdette helped himself scoring the only run of the game (August 18, 1960). Following up his no-hitter, he pitched his third shutout in a row.

Related Topics:
No-hitter - Philadelphia Phillies - Tony González - Hit by pitch - Double play

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Burdette was a competent hitter as well. He compiled a .183 batting average with 75 RBI and 12 home runs, including three two-homer games.

Related Topics:
Batting average - RBI - Home run

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In a 18-year career, Burdette posted a 203-144 record with 1074 strikeouts and a 3.66 ERA in 3067.1 innings. He compiled 158 complete games and 33 shutouts.

Related Topics:
Strikeout - ERA - Innings

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