Pitching is upsetting timing

Warren Spahn had a pretty straight forward approach to pitching. He once described his approach on the mound: "Hitting is timing. Pitching is upsetting timing." He seemed to have something there.

He won more games than any other left handed pitcher with an amazing 363. He won more than any post 1920 live ball era. Generally he is thought to be the best pitcher ever. Of course, he played for the Braves while they were in Boston. He played for 21 seasons. All of that was in the National League.

For 13 different seasons, he won 20 games or more. Even when he was 42, he could go 23-7. He won the Cy Young Award in 1957 and was runner up three times. He made it into the Hall of Fame in 1973.

And, did I mention, he played for the Braves?

The Year (1948)

How long would the Braves wait patiently under Billy Southworth for a pennant? 1948 was the year. The Braves finished in first with a record of 91-62, 6 & 1/2 games ahead.

The reward came to "Spahn and Sain and pray for rain." It was a long draught. Not since 1914 had they come in first. And, it was almost an all-Boston World Series.

Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain (1947)

Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain were a VERY good combination in 1947 as the best pitchers around. Of course, they played for the Braves. The tied for second in victories. The had 21 each. That was just one behind Cincinnati's Ewell Blackwell. He is well known for one of the more amazing things in baseball. Unfortunately it was against the Braves that season. He delivered a no hitter against us in June.

Spahn won his first eight games that season. Not a bad start. He also managed to lead the league with seven shutouts. He became the second Brave in the 20th century to lead the league in ERA. He had a fairly "decent" 2.33