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 Warren Spahn Photo Gallery

Warren Spahn Elected to the Hall of Fame, January 24, 1973!

“What is life, after all, but a challenge? And what better challenge can there be than the one between the pitcher and the hitter? After all, hitting is timing, and pitching is upsetting timing.” –Warren Spahn

Fifty-two years ago this week, January 24, 1973, Warren Spahn became only the sixth player elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. 

The Buffalo, New York native played 21 seasons in the major leagues (1942-1965), with three years (1943-’45), lost to military service.  He played his entire career with the Boston/Milwaukee Braves (1942, 1946-’64), except for his last season (1965) which was split between the Mets and Giants.

“Spahnie’s” Outstanding Career Numbers

Over his career, the great lefty posted a 363-245 (.597) record over 750 games, with a 3.09 ERA, 2583 strikeouts, 382 complete games, and 63 shutouts. He led the league in wins eight times and lowest ERA three times. In eight World Series appearances, he went 4-3, with a 3.05 ERA. A 17-time All-Star, Spahn is the winningest left-hander in baseball history and is the sixth-winningest pitcher overall. Had he not lost three seasons to military service, it’s conceivable he may have won over 400 games.

“No Guts!” Says Casey

First signed by the Boston Braves before the 1940 season, the 20-year-old Spahn reached the major leagues in 1942, making his major league debut on April 19, 1942 at age 26. He soon clashed with manager Casey Stengel who accused him of having “no guts” because he refused to throw at Brooklyn Dodger Pee Wee Reese in an exhibition game. As a result, the rookie soon received a one-way ticket back to the minors. Stengel later recalled the incident, saying, as only Casey can:

“It was the worst managing mistake I had ever made. I said ‘no guts’ to a kid who went on to become a war hero and one of the greatest left-handed pitchers you ever saw. You can’t say I don’t miss ’em when I miss ’em!”

Twenty-three years later, long after all had been forgiven on both sides, Spahn, pitching briefly for the Mets, was united with Stengel. He got off one of baseball’s most memorable quips: “I’m probably the only guy who worked for Casey Stengel before and after he was a genius!”

Other career highlights include;

• A member of three Braves’ pennant winners (1948, ’57, ’58), and the 1957 World Series Champion Milwaukee Braves
• The 1957 Cy Young Award winner.
• Also led the league in complete games nine times, and strikeouts four times.
• At the time of his retirement, held the strikeout record for left-handed pitchers.
• Tossed two no-hitters, the first coming at the age of 39, the second at age 40.
• Won 20 or more games in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was 42 years old.

Spahnie Serves Up Willie Mays’ First Homer!

Spahn gave up the first career hit to a rookie named Willie Mays in 1951. Mays had started the season 0-12 and there was serious talk of sending him back to the minors. Fortunately, in his next at-bat, coming against Warren Spahn, Willie hit a home run. Years later, Spahn humorously recalled the historic at-bat:

“His first major league hit was a home run off me and I’ll never forgive myself. For the first 60 feet, that was a hell of a pitch. We might have gotten rid of Willie Mays forever if I’d only struck him out!”

“Spahn and Sain and Pray for Rain”

Spahn’s contributions to the 1948 Boston Braves pennant-winning season, along with teammate Johnny Sain, led to one of the most enduring catchphrases in all of baseball lore. It was part of a poem written by Boston Post sports editor Gerald V. Hern, which was eventually condensed to simply: “Spahn and Sain and Pray for Rain.”

Warren Spahn served with distinction and courage during WWII. He was awarded a Purple Heart for combat action in the Battle of the Bulge and at the Ludendorff Bridge, and he was also awarded a battlefield commission for his valor under fire.

Following his playing day, Spahn stayed in the game in numerous managing and coaching positions. He managed the Tulsa Oilers from 1967 to 1971, winning the 1968 Pacific Coast League championship. He also coached for the Mexico City Tigers, the Cleveland Indians, and in the minor leagues for the California Angels. He also coached for six years with Japan’s Hiroshima Toyo Carp.

The Warren Spahn Award, given annually to the major league’s best left-handed pitcher, is named in his honor. His Braves #21 has been retired. He is a member of the Braves Hall of Fame and the Miller Park Walk of Fame, and the Major League Baseball All-Century team.

Warren Spahn passed away on November 24, 2003, at age 82. So today let’s take a moment to salute a genuine war hero, a great pitcher – one of the greatest ever – Hall of Famer Warren Spahn.

Gary Livacari 

We’d love to hear what you think about this or any other related baseball history topic…please leave comments below.

Photo Credits: All from Google search

Information: Excerpts edited from Warren Spahn Wikipedia page; stats from Baseball-Reference

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