Burdette pitched in 18 major league seasons, most of them with the Braves, but also with the Yankees, Cardinals, Cubs, Phillies, and Angels. Burdette's shining moment came in the 1957 World Series when he won three games to the lead the Milwaukee Braves to their only championship. Burdette threw two shutouts against the Yankees in that series.
The linked article spells Burdette's first name as "Lou" although that was not used during his playing days. Most references use "Lew." But the story explains:
Burdette's family said Tuesday that "Lou" was the spelling of choice and would be placed that way on his gravesite.
Obviously we needle you a certain bit for The Griddle's dark side, but thanks for passing on these reminders of the long story of the game, so much of which I've forgotten, and so much more I've never really known.
Nitro is about halfway between Charleston (the state capital) and Huntington (home of Marshall University) along I-64.
From checking a map of West Virginia, there does not appear to be a straight highway anywhere in the state. Everything curves.
I-70 through Wheeling in the northern tip of the state is relatively straight. That's one of two cities I've visited in West Virigina, the other being Harper's Ferry.
When I was 11 years old a fish swam right up to me on the bank of the river while our class was doing a field trip to Harpers Ferry. I didn't know what to do with him so I threw him back in the water. It was kind of freaky.
You're like a funny cow, Bob.
But he used to be a dairy farmer.
Farewell, Mr. Burdette. Another link to the pre-Atlanta Braves is gone...and did anybody else know there existed a Nitro, West Virginia??
From checking a map of West Virginia, there does not appear to be a straight highway anywhere in the state. Everything curves.
I-70 through Wheeling in the northern tip of the state is relatively straight. That's one of two cities I've visited in West Virigina, the other being Harper's Ferry.
It was a long drive.
And of course, Wheeling is where Joe McCarthy made his bones.
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