Tuesday, May 22, 2012

1951 Bowman Warren Spahn

Boston Braves CTNW Favorites #3



Warren Spahn pitched for the Braves in Boston and Milwaukee. Even though he never pitched in an Atlanta Braves uniform, he is immortalized in bronze outside Turner Field in Atlanta. Spahn is known not only for his heroics on the mound but also his heroics in World War II.

Spahn came up to the Boston Braves at the age of 21 in 1942. Following the 1942 season, he was drafted into the US Army where he served with honor. He was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. After 3 years in the service Spahn returned to baseball. He went on to be selected to 17 All Star teams, led the league in victories 8 times, ERA 3 times, strikeouts 4 times, shutouts 4 times and complete games 9 times. He also hit at least one homerun in every season from 1948-1964.

UPDATE
OK this post started as a 1949 Leaf Warren Spahn because I looked at a website that I use for reference and it had Spahn listed under Boston Red Sox. Not the Boston Braves, so I made another card this time a 1951 Bowman. Guess what? That already exists too. In fact Spahn is on every single Leaf, Bowman, Topps, Red Man and Berk Ross card during his Boston Braves years. I officially give up. I can't think of another way to portray Spahn as a Boston Brave.

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