Not an obit---he's still with us...but last of his kind.
Did you people ™ even know he was a Boston Brave? Did you know there were the Boston Braves?
"Del is the last living member of the Boston Braves. The franchise moved to Milwaukee in 1953 and Atlanta in 1966. Del played for four teams over 16 seasons and spent two years in the army during the Korean War (1951-52). In 1957, he helped the Braves to the World Series championship over the New York Yankees.Sep 8, 2020"
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I remember Del Crandall - but as a Milwaukee Brave initially. I also remember of the Boston Braves because in our family it was talked about how the Braves came from Boston. But I did not know Del played with the Braves in Boston. My very first baseball game was at County Stadium watching the Braves and I still remember the experience.
When the Brewers came to town, they drafted a catcher named Darrell Porter - who at the time was said that they hoped he would be the next Del Crandall. Crandall also managed the Brewers for a time early in their existence. Del is now 91 - the same age as my Dad when he passed away. Amazing to be the last living member of any team. Congrats Del!
What an incredible and incredibly short 12 year run the Braves had in Milwaukee.
Aaron, Mathews, Spahn...3 of the best players at their positions all-time. Shame they only won one World Series...but at least they won one.
@Blair Kiel posted:What an incredible and incredibly short 12 year run the Braves had in Milwaukee.
Aaron, Mathews, Spahn...3 of the best players at their positions all-time. Shame they only won one World Series...but at least they won one.
I wasn't alive yet for the Braves, but my father and uncle talk about them all the time.
Not only those 3, but Schoendist is a HOF as well.
Hurricane Bob Hazel was probably the best one-year wonder of all time.
One of my Dad's favorite stories about the Milwaukee Braves was how bad a hitter their third starting pitcher, Bob Buhl, was. I looked it up just now thinking about this. He was 76 for 857 in his career with 2 doubles and had 38 walks and 389 strikeouts.
In less than three weeks, from August 9 through August 25, Hazle batted .473 with 5 home runs and 19 runs batted in during 14 games, a sudden burst of unexpected offense that earned him the nickname "Hurricane." The original Hurricane Hazel had struck the coast of Hazle's home state, South Carolina, in 1954.
My wife, a Jersey girl recalls being scared as a 6 year old as Hazel knocked down trees and shook her house. She brings it up every hurricane season.
I as a 9 year old remember Bob in that fun late summer and fall.
Awesome stories Peak and Michigan.
I have endeavored to collect every Milwaukee Brave card (Topps and Bowman) issued from those years----a pretty mammoth undertaking given the many regional and specialty cards and pins etc. that were printed ) Bazooka, Johnston Cookies, Salada Tea, Lake-to-Lake Dairy just to name a few) I'll post some pictures if you'll enjoy.
My only remaining "needs" are Aarons '54 Topps rookie card (waaaaay too pricey for a guy who has to answer to Mrs. Kiel) and a few specialty cards.
A few favorites.
I was at Spahnies 300th win. Wish I would have kept something from that game.
@Blair Kiel posted:
A few favorites.
I was born 4 days later
My dad loved the Braves but ended up disliking them. Why? "Lew Burdette won 3 games in the 1957 World Series and they eventually traded him away. He should have only been a Brave!!"
@justanotherpackerfan posted:I was born 4 days later
So you’re saying you broke up your Dad’s no-hitter? 😀
Mom took one for the team?
@ammo...Yeah, he went to the dark side(s) after the Braves.
Those numbers from '53'-61" would get him $200 million these days.
...and Topps just couldn't seem to be able to spell "Lew". The errors on some of the cards of that era were epic....here's a Jim Taylor card with an image of another Jim Taylor that Topps actually got wrong 2 years running:
Lew was from Nitro, WV. Gotta be tough if you are from Nitro
Seems like even “Lew” signed his cards “Lou” 😀
Some guys previously mentioned. I believe Hurricane Bob Hazle only ever appeared on one card:
Lest we forget Bobby Thomson of “The Shot Heard Round The World” fame was a Brave. Fun fact, he was born in Scotland.
And Pikes , if your name is Ruth Czarnecka, I’ll send this to you! 😀
Johnny Logan went on to become the sheriff in Waukesha I believe.
Card is from Red Man Tobacco pouches:
The other Braves player I heard a lot about growing up was Gene Conley. He is the only person in history to win an NBA title and a World Series title as a player.
@Blair Kiel posted:And Pikes , if your name is Ruth Czarnecka, I’ll send this to you! 😀
Looks like Ruth passed away about 12 years ago and had no children. It's probably why this may have ended up on Ebay or in some hobby show?
Or breaking and entering. 😀
Got most of my stuff on EBay....
@MichiganPacker2 posted:The other Braves player I heard a lot about growing up was Gene Conley. He is the only person in history to win an NBA title and a World Series title as a player.
Gene was a tall drink of water!
@Pikes Peak posted:I was at Spahnies 300th win. Wish I would have kept something from that game.
How about a video?
I don't have this!
