Lew Burdette – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

When Lew Burdette stepped off the mound for the last time on July 16, 1967, he closed out an 18-season MLB career that ran from 1950 to 1967. Burdette’s baseball story peaked in 1957, when he threw three complete games in the World Series, won MVP honors, and led the Milwaukee Braves to their first championship in 43 years. The righty racked up 203 wins and 144 losses while pitching for seven teams, including the New York Yankees, Boston/Milwaukee Braves, and California Angels.

Born Selva Lewis Burdette Jr. in West Virginia, he went from working in his dad’s plant to becoming one of the most recognizable pitchers of the 1950s. He made his way from the Yankees organization to Milwaukee, where he teamed up with Warren Spahn for a legendary pitching duo.

Burdette’s career wasn’t just about stats, though. His colorful personality and the endless rumors about whether he threw a spitball made him a fixture in baseball conversations.

Burdette’s rise from amateur ball to MLB stardom shows a player who mixed natural talent with a knack for psychological games on the mound. His nervous habits and fidgety style became part of his identity, right along with his sinking fastball and slider.

He struggled early in the minors, but his World Series heroics eventually cemented his legacy. Burdette’s career gives us a fascinating window into baseball during one of its most competitive stretches.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Lew Burdette’s journey started in Nitro, West Virginia, an industrial town where he developed his athletic skills despite not having a lot of opportunities. He moved from high school football to college baseball, and that’s where scouts first took notice of his pitching.

Family Background and Childhood in Nitro

Selva Lewis Burdette Jr. was born on November 22, 1926, in Nitro, West Virginia. His parents, Agnes Burnett and Selva Lewis Burdette Sr., worked at the local American Viscose Rayon plant—his dad as a foreman.

The Burdettes had deep roots in the local industrial scene. His father’s job at the Viscose plant played a big role in Lew’s early baseball development.

Everyone in the family worked at the plant, even Burdette’s sister and younger brother. Growing up in Nitro, Lew played a ton of sandlot baseball. Those informal games helped him build his basic skills as a kid.

The town’s working-class vibe definitely shaped his early years. Although he went by his middle name Lewis, he always wrote it as “Lou” instead of “Lew.” That little detail just showed his preference for a more casual version of his name.

High School Years at Nitro High School

Burdette attended Nitro High School, but the school didn’t have a baseball team. That forced him to focus on other sports during high school.

He found his first big athletic success on the Nitro High School football team. Playing football gave him valuable experience in competitive sports, even if it wasn’t baseball.

The lack of a high school baseball team made things tough for his development. He also didn’t make the local American Legion team, which was a setback for his baseball dreams.

After finishing high school in 1944, Burdette used his dad’s connections to get a job at the Viscose plant. He worked as a message boy, but there was a catch—he had to pitch for the company’s baseball team.

At 17, Burdette pitched in the Industrial League of the Viscose Athletic Association. He put up a 12-2 record against teams from companies like DuPont, Monsanto, and Carbide.

University of Richmond Experience

Burdette’s baseball career paused when he joined the Air Corps Reserve in April 1945. He spent six months there, working with a welding crew instead of flying.

After leaving the service, he enrolled at the University of Richmond and joined the baseball team. That was his first chance to play organized college baseball and really work on his pitching.

He quickly caught the eye of pro scouts with his performances at Richmond. Several major league teams sent scouts to watch him pitch.

One scout from the Boston Braves didn’t like what he saw. He told Burdette, “I don’t like the way you pitch. You may as well forget about baseball.” That turned out to be pretty off the mark.

Despite some harsh feedback, Burdette’s college pitching still drew serious interest. The New York Yankees eventually signed him in 1947 for $200 a month, kicking off his pro career.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Lew Burdette’s MLB career stretched from 1950 to 1967, and he played for seven teams along the way. He started with the Yankees but found his greatest success with the Boston and Milwaukee Braves, where he became a cornerstone pitcher and won World Series MVP in 1957.

MLB Debut with the New York Yankees

Burdette made his big league debut on September 26, 1950, with the New York Yankees against the Washington Senators. He came in during the fifth inning and got Gil Coan to ground out in his first appearance.

His time with the Yankees was short but important for his development. In 1949, while pitching for the Yankees’ Triple-A team in Kansas City, Burdette roomed with future Hall of Famer Whitey Ford. That experience gave him a taste of the Yankees’ winning culture and high standards.

Key Yankees Period Stats:

• Debut: September 26, 1950
• Appearances: Limited relief work
• Notable: Worked with pitching coach Burleigh Grimes

The Yankees helped Burdette develop his mental approach to pitching. Coach Burleigh Grimes, a former spitball pitcher, told Burdette to use his nervous habits as a psychological advantage—even if he wasn’t throwing anything illegal.

Key Tenure with the Boston and Milwaukee Braves

Burdette’s career really took off after the Yankees traded him to the Boston Braves on August 29, 1951, as part of the Johnny Sain deal. That move ended up being the turning point for him.

In 1952, Burdette led the team with 45 appearances, mostly as a reliever. When the franchise moved to Milwaukee in 1953, he became a key part of their rise.

Milwaukee Braves Achievements:

• 1957 World Series MVP: Three complete-game wins
• ERA Title: 2.70 in 1956
• All-Star Selection: 1957
• Career-high wins: 21 in 1959

Burdette and Warren Spahn, his roommate and best friend, formed one of baseball’s toughest pitching duos. Burdette’s best season came in 1959, when he led the National League with 21 wins.

His 1957 World Series performance against the Yankees is still legendary. On just two days’ rest, he pitched a complete-game shutout in Game 7 and beat his old roommate Whitey Ford.

Later Years: St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies

After his run with the Braves, Burdette moved on to the St. Louis Cardinals. He brought veteran leadership to the team.

He also played for the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies as his career wound down. Even though his fastball lost some zip, Burdette relied on changing speeds and his experience to stay effective.

Late Career Characteristics:

• Focused more on mixing up pitches
• Helped mentor younger pitchers
• Kept his competitive edge

Burdette’s reputation for mind games and his supposed spitball stuck with him. Even as his physical skills faded, his psychological tricks kept hitters guessing.

Final Season and Retirement with the California Angels

Burdette played his last MLB season with the California Angels in 1967. His final game came on July 16, 1967, against the Minnesota Twins, when he was 40.

Final Game Statistics:

• Date: July 16, 1967
• Opponent: Minnesota Twins
• Performance: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO

He finished with 203 wins, 144 losses, a 3.66 ERA, and 1,074 strikeouts in 626 games. Burdette’s durability showed in the steady innings and complete games he logged year after year.

After baseball, Burdette got involved in developing cable television in Florida, where he’d lived since 1954.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Lew Burdette made his mark with an unforgettable World Series performance, winning the 1957 World Series MVP after three complete-game wins. He earned two All-Star selections and led the National League in several pitching categories.

World Series Success and 1957 World Series MVP

Burdette’s biggest moment came in the 1957 World Series against the Yankees. He delivered one of the best postseason performances in baseball history.

He won three complete games in the seven-game series. Two of those were shutouts, including the Game 7 victory that gave Milwaukee its first championship in 43 years.

His World Series numbers were off the charts:

• 3-0 record in three starts
• 0.67 ERA over 27 innings
• Two shutouts against a stacked Yankees lineup
• 0.926 WHIP with pinpoint control

Burdette became the first pitcher since Stan Coveleski in 1920 to win three complete games in a World Series. He was also the first since Christy Mathewson in 1905 to throw two shutouts in one Fall Classic.

Winning World Series MVP brought him national attention. He popped up on TV, gave talks, and even recorded a novelty record to celebrate.

All-Star Selections and Accolades

Burdette made the All-Star team twice, in 1957 and 1959. Both times, he was at the top of his game and among the National League’s elite pitchers.

His 1957 All-Star nod lined up with his World Series MVP season. That year, he went 17-9 with a 3.72 ERA and helped the Braves win their first pennant.

In 1959, he got his second All-Star pick during another standout season. Burdette led the National League in wins that year, showing just how consistent he could be.

He also got MVP votes in 1956, when he went 19-10 with a league-best 2.70 ERA and finished fourth in the National League MVP race.

20-Game Winner and Leading the National League

Burdette never quite managed a 20-win season, but he always ranked among the league’s leaders. His career-high was 21 wins.

He led the National League in wins in 1959. That season was one of his most complete as a starter and workhorse for the Braves.

Key National League leading stats:

• ERA leader (1956): 2.70 ERA
• Shutouts leader (1956): Six shutouts
• Wins leader (1959): Most in the league

Burdette won 15 or more games eight times in his career. That kind of steady performance made him one of the most reliable starters of the 1950s.

He finished with 203 career wins, putting him among the most successful pitchers of his era.

Unique Recognition and Notable Awards

Burdette’s reputation went beyond just stats. People knew him as one of the game’s great control pitchers and a real character.

He and Warren Spahn made up one of the most dependable pitching duos in baseball. As roommates and best friends, they anchored the Braves’ rotation for years.

Burdette built a reputation for throwing a spitball, though he never admitted to it. His famous line, “My best pitch is one I do not throw,” became a classic.

That reputation gave him a psychological edge. Hitters always wondered if he’d throw a spitball, even if it didn’t exist.

His pranks and jittery habits on the mound added to his legend. Manager Fred Haney once joked that Burdette’s antics could “make coffee nervous.”

All these quirks, plus his pitching success, made Burdette one of the most memorable players of his generation.

Pitching Style and Iconic Performances

Burdette found success by mastering control and playing mind games with hitters. He paired a nasty slider with jittery mound habits that drove batters up the wall.

He often pitched complete games and kept his cool when it mattered most. Those qualities really shaped his career.

Pitching Repertoire: Slider, Sinker, Spitball Accusations

Burdette stuck to three main pitches: a sinking fastball, a slider, and a changeup. That slider, with its sharp drop, really messed with hitters and forced plenty of ground balls.

People constantly accused Burdette of throwing a spitball, which was illegal. Even after managers and league officials filmed him and investigated, they never found proof.

His old coach Burleigh Grimes, who actually threw spitballs, wouldn’t teach Burdette the pitch. Instead, Grimes told him to use the spitball’s reputation to mess with hitters’ heads. Burdette once said, “My best pitch is one I do not throw,” and he knew that rumor worked in his favor.

On the mound, Burdette couldn’t stand still. He’d fidget with his jersey, adjust his hat, wipe his forehead, and sometimes talk to himself. Manager Fred Haney joked these habits could “make coffee nervous.” But honestly, those quirks distracted batters and kept suspicion swirling about the spitball, even though he never got caught.

Complete Games and Notable No-Hitter

Burdette had a reputation for being durable and finishing what he started. Year after year, he landed near the top in complete games, innings, and starts.

He never threw a no-hitter, but his complete game efforts became legendary. During the 1957 World Series, he threw three complete games against the Yankees, which is just wild.

In 1952, he led the Boston Braves with 45 appearances, showing off his incredible stamina. Teams counted on him to pitch deep into games.

In Game 7 of the 1957 World Series, Burdette pitched a complete game on just two days’ rest. He held the Yankees to seven hits and a walk, shutting them out 5-0.

Control Pitching and Mental Edge

Burdette stood out as one of the best control pitchers of his time. He could put the ball wherever he wanted, barely walked anyone, and kept hitters guessing.

His mound antics weren’t just nervous tics. He used them to throw hitters off their rhythm and concentration.

Burdette didn’t just focus on each pitch—he managed entire games with a plan. He knew when to hold back and when to push, saving his best stuff for the big moments.

He and his roommate Warren Spahn made up a pitching duo that Milwaukee leaned on. Burdette learned plenty from Spahn, but he definitely brought his own style to the table.

Famous Games: Harvey Haddix and Home Runs

When Harvey Haddix pitched his famous 12-inning perfect game in 1959, Burdette took the mound for the Braves. Even though Haddix outpitched him for 12 innings, Burdette hung in and ended up with the win when his team finally broke through.

Burdette kept home runs to a minimum by relying on his sinking fastball and slider. Those pitches got grounders and kept the ball in the park.

His best games usually came when the pressure was highest. In the 1957 World Series, he threw two shutouts and finished with a 0.67 ERA over three complete games.

Burdette always seemed to deliver in big moments. Whether facing the Yankees or dueling with Haddix in extra innings, he found a way to come through for his team.

Statistical Overview and Milestones

Lew Burdette pitched 18 seasons in the big leagues, finishing with a 203-144 record, a 3.66 ERA, and 1,074 strikeouts in 3,067 innings. Besides his pitching, he could swing the bat, hitting 12 home runs, and he’s even got a notable baseball card from 1959.

Career Pitching Statistics

Burdette’s stats show just how steady he was from 1950 to 1967. With 203 wins and 144 losses, he proved himself as a reliable starter for six different clubs.

His 3.66 ERA points to solid run prevention. He struck out 1,074 batters and walked just 1.84 per nine innings—that’s some of the best control anyone’s ever seen.

Burdette finished 158 games and racked up 33 shutouts. He pitched 3,067.1 innings over 666 games, showing off his durability.

Statistic	Career Total
Wins	203
Losses	144
ERA	3.66
Strikeouts	1,074
Complete Games	158
Shutouts	33

His 25.4 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) shows just how much he meant to his teams.

Batting Achievements

For a pitcher, Burdette could hit a little. He posted a .183 average with 185 hits in 1,011 at-bats.

He hit 12 home runs, including a couple of games with two homers. His first two career blasts came in the same game in 1957, and he managed to do it twice more after that.

Burdette drove in 75 RBI over his career. In Game 2 of the 1958 World Series, he became the first pitcher to homer in the Series since Bucky Walters in 1940.

He even helped himself in his 1960 no-hitter, scoring the game’s only run after doubling in the eighth and coming home on Bill Bruton’s double.

1959 Topps Baseball Card Anecdote

The 1959 Topps set featured Burdette during one of his best seasons. That year, he tied Warren Spahn for the National League lead with 21 wins.

His card shows him in a Milwaukee Braves uniform, right in the middle of the team’s glory years.

That card came out just as Burdette was leading the league in wins and starts. He even made his second All-Star team that year.

Collectors still chase that card—it’s a snapshot of Burdette at his peak in the late ‘50s. It really captures a moment when he dominated the National League.

Personal Life, Legacy, and Later Endeavors

After hanging up his spikes in 1967, Lew Burdette built a new career in Florida’s cable TV business and stayed close to his family. He fought lung cancer later in life and passed away in 2007, but fans still remember him as one of baseball’s most memorable pitchers.

Life in Florida and Post-Retirement Activities

Burdette and his wife Mary Ann Shelton settled in Sarasota, Florida, where they’d spent offseasons since the mid-1950s. They raised four kids there: Lewis Kent, Madge Rhea, Mary Lou, and Elaina.

After baseball, Burdette gave public relations a shot at a Milwaukee brewery, then jumped into Florida’s cable TV scene. That move worked out—he spent about 20 years building cable networks.

The family put down roots in Florida. Even during his playing days, Burdette worked as a vice president for a local real estate firm in the offseason. He never really left the state behind.

Baseball stayed in the family. Burdette’s grandson, Nolan Fontana, chased his own pro baseball dreams, keeping the Burdette name alive in the sport.

Battle with Lung Cancer and Passing

Lew Burdette died on February 6, 2007, at 80. Lung cancer took him, ending a life that spanned baseball’s golden era all the way to the modern game.

He stayed involved with the game, showing up at old-timers events and Braves celebrations. Burdette valued his ties to the Atlanta Braves and often joined in on team gatherings.

His passing really hit Milwaukee Braves fans. He represented the team’s best years, when they captured Wisconsin’s heart in the ‘50s and early ‘60s.

The baseball community felt the loss of such a colorful figure. With Burdette gone, a direct link to that legendary 1957 World Series and baseball’s past faded away.

Reputation and Remembrance in Baseball

Even decades after he retired, Burdette kept a strong reputation in baseball circles. He and Warren Spahn teamed up as one of the sport’s most effective pitching duos.

People still remember both men for their durability and that relentless competitive edge. The spitball controversy followed Burdette for most of his career, and honestly, it became part of his legend.

He once said, “My best pitch is one I do not throw.” That quote really sums up his psychological approach to pitching.

Burdette’s performance in the 1957 World Series still stands out as one of the game’s greatest individual feats. He notched three complete-game victories, including two shutouts, against the powerhouse New York Yankees.

That effort really cemented his place in World Series history. These days, modern baseball analysts look past his stats and recognize how much he contributed.

With 203 career wins and an innovative pitching approach, Burdette influenced plenty of pitchers who came after him. His involvement in the Johnny Sain trade also shows how he played a role in baseball’s player movement history.

Baseball historians still dive into his career as a prime example of 1950s pitching excellence. His legacy lives on in baseball reference materials and stories about the Milwaukee Braves.