Baseball in the Branches: Selva Lewis "Lew" Burdette Jr.

Since opening day for the Baltimore Orioles was yesterday, I thought this would be a fitting post. Although the subject of this sketch isn't from my family, he's married into the adoptee (for a friend) tree I've been working on. So far, he's the closest to someone famous I've come across in any tree I've worked on. Selva Lewis Burdette Jr., more commonly known  as Lew Burdette, was a a right-handed Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher, whose career spanned over 20 years, Born on November 22, 1926, in Nitro, West Virginia, Burdette's journey in baseball would lead him to become a well respected pitcher and paved the way for his grandson, Nolan Fontana, to play professionally. 

Lew briefly served in the Air Force Reserves from April-November 1945. In 1946 he attended the University of Richmond (Virginia) for a year and a half. He was already in the Major Leagues by the time he married into the family tree I'm researching on June 30, 1949 when he wed Mary Ann Shelton in Charleston, Kanawha, West Virginia, making him the husband of a 2C1R of my research subject. They were born and raised in the same county, Nitro and Charleston are only about 12 miles apart, and they met in a bowling alley. By 1950 they had left West Virginia and made their home in Florida. Together they had 4 children: 1 son and 3 daughters.

His career really began when he signed with the New York Yankees in 1947. However, it was with the Milwaukee Braves where he made his indelible mark. Traded to the Braves in 1951, Burdette quickly became a central figure in the team's pitching rotation. Perhaps the high point of Burdette's career came during the 1957 World Series, where he showcased his skills on the national stage. Burdette was instrumental in the Milwaukee Braves' victory over the New York Yankees, winning three complete games, including a shutout in Game 7. This amazing performance earned him the World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, securing his place in baseball history. He was also a two time All-Star (1957 and 1959).

Burdette was eventually traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1963. In 1964, he played with the Chicago Cubs and then the Phillies in 1965. He signed with the California Angels in 1966 as a relief pitcher, and finally retired in 1967. It would seem, as he came to the end of his career, the magic may have faded quickly. The average 20th century MLB career is just 5.6 years according to a 2007 study. 1in 5 players will have only a single year career. At the time Lew was playing, the average career length was estimated closer to 10 years, with "...a rarefied few enjoying 20 or more years of play..." according to the NCBI. He was an outlier by all standards with a 20 year career!

Over the course of his career, Burdette accumulated a record of 203 wins, 144 losses. At an imposing 6' 2-1/2" tall, he threw an amazing 1.074 strikeouts! There was some controversy around his pitching style though, and some debate as to whether he sometimes may have thrown "spitballs". His ability was evidenced by pitching 158 complete games and 33 shutouts Burdette was also known for his hitting abilities, a rare skill for a pitcher. With 12 home runs and 75 RBIs during his career, he was a versatile player. He was also "....a notorious prankster who did everything from slipping snakes into umpires’ pockets to intentionally posing as a lefty for his 1959 Topps baseball card" according to Alex Kupfer's article on SABR and was known for his nervous mannerisms his opponents found distracting when he was on the mound. 

After retiring, Burdette continued to influence baseball as a coach and scout, sharing his knowledge and passion for the game with the next generations. His legacy is not only found in the stats but also in the respect he earned from teammates, opponents, and fans. He was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame and was also in the Braves Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Selva Lewis Burdette Jr. passed away on February 6, 2007, in Winter Garden, Florida. His cause of death was lung cancer. His contributions to the sport remain a part of its history, he showcased the spirit and dedication defining America's pastime. 

While I'd have liked to share a photo, all the ones I've seen are still under copyright, but if you'd like to see some images of Lew Burdette click here. I've also found one lone photo of his wife Mary Ann Burdette here. And if you're a baseball fan inspired to know more about Lew's life and career, take a peek at a more detailed article on SABR, Lew Burdette by Alex Kupfer.

Though I'm not a huge sports fan, I grew up watching the Baltimore Orioles play. I was fortunate to witness the sometimes amusing theatrics of manager Earl Weaver. Finding Lew Burdette in the branches of the family tree of my friend was quite exciting! It was a privilege to research him a bit more for this post. 

Image by stanbalik from Pixabay