Lew Burdette
Baseball · Hometown: Nitro, WV
- High school
- Nitro High School
Lew Burdette was one of the most clutch pitchers in baseball history, most famous for his legendary 1957 World Series performance. He grew up in Nitro, West Virginia, and attended Nitro High School (where his school didn't have a baseball team, so he played football and basketball instead). Signed by the New York Yankees, he was famously traded to the Milwaukee Braves in a deal for Johnny Sain. In the 1957 World Series against the Yankees, Burdette shut out New York twice in four days and won three complete games — earning World Series MVP honors and leading the Braves to their only World Championship. He played 18 major league seasons (1950–1967), winning 203 games and earning an All-Star selection in 1959. Attended Nitro High School in Nitro, West Virginia.