September 29, 2010
Cherished memories of the Boston Braves
by Wally Carew/
Many old-time baseball fans with a yen for nostalgia relish the memory of the Boston Braves, the National League team that was based in Beantown from 1876-1952. At the same time, generations of younger baseball fans, including diehard members of Red Sox Nation, know next to nothing about the Boston Braves.
I was only nine years old when the Braves moved from Boston to Milwaukee prior to the 1953 baseball season. At the time, I was crushed, heartbroken. And for me, major league baseball has never been the same since the Braves departed. The Braves were my first love and I am grateful that my dad brought me to many games at Braves Field.
If I could, I would bring the Braves back to Boston immediately. Because of my affection for the Boston Braves, I have always rooted for the National League in the All-Star Game and World Series. Plus, I have never liked the designated hitter rule. I’m just a National League guy and proud of it.
Savoring memories of the Boston Braves, I can still smell the nutty aroma of fried clams that were a concession stand favorite at Braves Field. I can still see the Braves’ satin uniforms and the red and blue baseball cap with the block white B and I continue to smile at the memory of my favorite player, No. 10, catcher Phil Masi.
In 1952, the Braves’ final season in Boston, Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews, No. 41, was a baby-faced rookie third baseman for the Braves. That season, he clouted 25 home runs. During a fabulous 17-year career, Mathews belted 512 home runs, including 47 in 1953, the Braves’ first season in Milwaukee (Boo!).
My cup overflows with Boston Braves’ memories: Jeff Heath was a superb outfielder for the Braves. Born on April Fool’s Day, Heath was one of the best big-league ballplayers born and raised in Canada. He broke in with the Cleveland Indians. He also played for the Washington Senators and St. Louis Browns before the Braves acquired him.
In 1948, Heath hit .319 with 20 home runs and 76 runs batted in, sparking the Braves to the National League pennant. Tragically, two days before the end of the regular season, Heath broke a leg sliding into home plate during a meaningless game against the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field. The injury caused Heath to miss the 1948 World Series against the Cleveland Indians. The Indians defeated the Braves in six games to win the championship, but many believed the Braves might have prevailed with Jeff Heath’s big bat in the lineup.
Heath, a strapping 6-foot, 200-pounder, was a handsome man with dark wavy hair. It was reported at the time of his injury that while he was being treated for a broken leg at a local hospital, his good looks caused many of the nurses to go into a tizzy. Some even tripped over each other vying for Heath’s attention.
Vern Bickford is another unforgettable name from the Boston Braves’ storied past. Bickford, a right-hander with oodles of mound savvy, won 54 games for the Braves from 1948-52. His finest season was 1950 when he posted a 19-14 record and pitched a no-hitter against the Dodgers. That season, Bickford led the National League in starts (39), complete games (27) and innings pitched (311 2/3).
On August 11, 1950, he no-hit the Dodgers, 7-0, before 29,008 at Braves Field. Bickford walked two batters in the ninth inning, but he completed his no-hitter by inducing slugger Duke Snider to ground into a game-ending double play. Sadly, in 1960, Bickford died of cancer at age 39, leaving behind a wife and three children.
Over the years, I have never been able to get my fill of the Boston Braves. Years ago, working on a story about the Braves, I managed to speak on the telephone with Sam Jethroe, Sibby Sisti and Earl Torgeson. I reached Jethroe, the former speedy outfielder, at a restaurant he owned in the Pittsburgh area. I connected with Sisti, the former utility infielder for the Braves, at his home in Buffalo, N.Y., where he turned his basement into a shrine to the Braves, and I spoke with Torgeson, the former first baseman who could handle his fists as well as a bat, in the state of Washington, where he worked as a county commissioner. All three spoke joyously about the years they spent in Boston playing for the Braves, “the other big league baseball team in Boston.” The trio of former Braves also said the rival Red Sox were “the rich kids, the fat cats, the more popular team with the establishment.” None of the three ex-Braves expressed any regrets. “Our fans were as loyal as any fans anywhere,” they exclaimed.
Jethroe, who wore No. 5, was the first African-American to play big-league baseball in Boston. In 1950, he was the National League Rookie of the Year when he smashed 18 home runs and stole 35 bases. Jethroe played center field for the Braves. Known for his speed and pop at the plate, Jethroe was not a polished outfielder. He could make a spectacular catch, but occasionally he would have trouble with routine fly balls lofted in his direction. Nevertheless, Jethroe was a dynamic player and a fan favorite at Braves Field.
In 1945, Jethroe, Jackie Robinson and Marvin Williams were given a token tryout at Fenway Park by the Red Sox. It was strictly show. Owner Tom Yawkey had no intention of signing any of the three and the Red Sox were the last big-league team to integrate (Pumpsie Green, 1959).
A pair of events that enriched the history of Braves Field: The 1936 All-Star Game was played at Braves Field on July 7. The National League, after three straight losses, won its first All-Star Game, 4-3. The goat for the American League was the great Joe DiMaggio, a rookie who hit .358 entering the midsummer classic. DiMaggio made two costly errors in right field and went 0-for-5 at the plate in that game.
As a boy, future heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano dreamed of becoming a catcher in the big leagues. He even had a brief tryout with the Chicago Cubs. Marciano’s only appearance at Braves Field took place on July 10, 1950. On that date on a rainy night, Marciano knocked out Gino Buonvino, the former Italian amateur champion, in the 10th round. The victory was his 28th straight as the Brockton fighter slugged his way to the world heavyweight championship and an unbeaten professional boxing career.
There are many great names from baseball’s glorious past. One of the most catchy and colorful is Ebba St. Claire, the ex-Boston Braves catcher who ended his career as a backup with the New York Giants.
