“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.
“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 Stengel
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.
-Led the National League in wins eight times, ERA three times, 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.
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.
