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153. Lew Burdette

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153. Lew Burdette
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: November 22, 1926 in Nitro, WV USA
  • Weight: 180 lbs.
  • Height: 6'2"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: September 26, 1950
  • Final Game: July 16, 1967
  • Babe Ruth Award - 1957
  • World Series MVP - 1957
  • Cy Young - 1958
  • MVP - 1956
  • MVP - 1957
  • MVP - 1958
  • MVP - 1959
 
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Lew Burdette was the star righthander for the Milwaukee Braves in the 1950s, but his career was a tad on the complicated side to dissect.

Burdette made his first appearance in the Majors for the Braves in 1950, but he was not a permanent member of the roster until 1952.  Burdette became a top hurler in 1953, and that year until 1961, he had at least 15 Wins every year but 1955. Burdette won the National League ERA Title in 1956 (2.70), and the year after, he was the World Series MVP in what would be the Braves' only World Series Championship in Milwaukee.  He had 20 Win years in 1959 and 1960 and was third in Cy Young voting in the latter season.

Burdette was good during this period, utilizing control to lead the NL in BB/9 three times, but he also gave up a lot of Hits, and his career bWAR is under 30.  Known for his fidgeting, Burdette was an annoyance to batters, and it was joked that he would make coffee nervous.

After declining in the early 60s, Burdette bounced to St. Louis, Chicago (NL), Philadelphia, and California before retiring in 1967 with a record of 203-144.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Nitro, West Virginia, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Monday, 01 January 1973
  • Position: Pitcher
  • Played For: Boston Braves, California Angels, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Braves, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (1) (Milwaukee Braves, 1957) 
    All-Star (2) (1957 & 1959)
    World Series MVP (1) (1957)
    Babe Ruth Award (1) (1957)                  
    Lowest ERA (1) (NL) (1956)
    Most Wins (1) (NL) (1959)
    Lowest BB/9 (3) (NL) (1958, 1960 & 1961)
    Most Innings Pitched (1) (NL) (1961)
    Most Games Started (1) (NL) (1959)
    Most Complete Games (1) (NL) (1960)
    Most Shutouts (2) (NL) (1956 & 1959)
    Lowest FIP (1) (NL) (1958)
    Most Putous by a Pitcher (2) (NL) (1958 & 1960)
    Most Assists by a Pitcher (1) (NL) (1960)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a Pitcher (2) (NL) (1955 & 1959)


  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten Cy Young Finishes:
    (ML: 1958, 3rd)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Pitchers)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (ERA)
    9 Top Ten Finishes (Wins)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (WHIP)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (BB/9)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Games Pitched)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Saves)
    8 Top Ten Finishes (Innings Pitched)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Games Started)
    8 Top Ten Finishes (Complete Games)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Shutouts)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (SO/BB)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Games Finished)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (ERA+)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (FIP)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)

  • Notable All Time Rankings: 21. Double Plays Turned by a Pitcher: 55
    42. Putouts by a Pitcher: 245

    61. BB/9: 1.843
    87. Shutouts: 33

  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame:

    1973: 3.2%
    1974: 1.9%
    1975: 3.0%
    1976: 5.4%
    1977: 22.2%
    1978: 20.1%
    1979: 12.3%
    1980: 17.1%
    1981: 12.0%
    1982: 10.4%
    1983: 11.5%
    1984: 24.1%
    1985: 20.8%
    1986: 22.6%
    1987: 23.2%

  • Should be Inducted As A: Milwaukee Brave

Should Lew Burdette be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 71.4%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 0%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 28.6%

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