Warren Edward Spahn, the winningest left-hander in baseball history, died on Nov. 24. Cause of death was not released. He was 82.
In 1940, Spahn was signed with the Braves in Boston for $80/mo. He stayed with the team through its move to Milwaukee 13 years later. During his first season, he injured his arm twice, yet still managed to win 19 games.
Spahn started the 1942 season with the Braves but was sent down by manager Casey Stengel for refusing to brush back Pee Wee Reese in an exhibition game. Stengel would eventually admit that farming Spahn out was the worst mistake he ever made.
After joining the Army in 1943, Spahn spent World War II fighting in Europe, where he received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for bravery. At 25, Spahn returned to the states and became one of baseball’s best pitchers. He would go on to win 20 or more games in 13 of the next 17 seasons, matching the record set by Christy Mathewson.
“The Invincible One” led the Braves to win National League pennants in 1957 and 1958; his 5,243 2-3 innings remain the N.L. record. Spahn retired in 1967 with a career record of 363-245 and a 3.09 ERA.
He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, the first year he was eligible. The 1957 winner of the Cy Young Award was also honored in August with a 9-foot bronze statue in the plaza outside Turner Field in Atlanta.
• Statistics From Baseball-Almanac.com
November 24, 2003 by
Warren Spahn
Categories: Sports
Warren was a great pitcher and very talented. I always wanted to meet him. He was a relative of mine but i never got a chance to meet him.
Dec.9, 2003
I had the honor of meeting Mr. Spahn on 3 seperate occassions, all of which I hold near and dear to my heart. Each time he impressed me with his warmth and interest in who I was and why I wanted so badly to meet him.
I remember the first time we met in Waterbury, Ct. on April 3, 1987. It was my 30th birthday and I had already met his former teammates Aaron, Matthews, and Sain in past years. My dream was always to meet Spahn. Spahn was the star pitcher of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves the year I was born.
He was the winningest lefty in history, and I too was a lefty pitcher in high school. I felt a connection.
When I met him that first time, tears filled my eyes unexpectedly. Finally meeting this man I had only read about. He put his arm around my shoulder and asked if he could pose for a picture with me. I was all choked up as I posed and told him how much this moment meant to me. He thanked me for being such a big fan, a moment I will always carry with me. He treated me like I was one of his friends.
Mr. Spahn…Thanks for being a part of my life. You will be missed by all and always remembered by this big fan.
Kevin Jarrosak
I saw Spahn pitch on my tenth birthday. I was at one of the first games I ever saw. It was at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, June 18, 1956. The Pirates were beginning their slide from first place, but were still close enough to draw a crowd. Despite the loud crowd, including my father, my uncle, and myself, the Pirates lost 3-2 to Milwaukee. Although Bob Friend pitched a great game, Spahn was a machine, as usually was against Pittsburgh in those days. I saw Koufax pitch once also. To me, Koufax was slightly better, but only by a whisker.
Warren Spahn was a smart pitcher.
Tough as nails as a competitor and a terrific athlete. He could hit and field as well as most major leaguers. And that was while he played every 4th day! Look up his record in the 1957 and ’58 World Series. Complete games, even in 10 innings! He was a master. I was a young Yankee fan in the ’50s but sill respected and admired one of the best of all time!
Warren was a great competitor and when he hit you with the ball it really hurt. Remeber when he hit Moose Skowron of the Yankees in the kiodney with that slider? Thats the Warren I remember.