The only player to represent the Braves in Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta
In short: Eddie Mathews was a generational third baseman whose career spanned the migration of the Braves franchise across three cities. Beyond his unique status as a franchise constant, he was a power-hitting titan, forming one of baseball's most lethal duos alongside Hank Aaron and defining an era of American sports.
Born in 1931 in Texarkana, Texas, and raised in Santa Barbara, California, Eddie Mathews signed with the Boston Braves in 1949. He quickly established himself as a premier talent, hitting 25 home runs during his 1952 rookie season in Boston. When the franchise relocated to Milwaukee in 1953, Mathews thrived, capturing the National League home run title with 47 homers and 135 RBIs. His impact was immediate and profound; by August 1954, he was featured on the cover of the inaugural issue of Sports Illustrated, cementing his status as a national superstar.
Mathews was the cornerstone of the Milwaukee Braves' 1957 World Series championship. His performance in the series against the New York Yankees was legendary, highlighted by a game-winning home run in the 10th inning of game four and a crucial two-run double in the deciding game seven. Between 1953 and 1961, he maintained a remarkable streak of hitting at least 30 home runs for nine consecutive seasons. Alongside teammate Hank Aaron, he formed a duo that surpassed the legendary Yankees pairing of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig for the most combined home runs in major league history.
Following his long tenure with the Braves, which included the team's 1966 move to Atlanta, Mathews was traded to the Houston Astros. On July 14, 1967, he became the seventh player in major league history to reach the 500-home-run milestone. He concluded his playing career with the Detroit Tigers, earning a second World Series ring in 1968. After retiring with 512 career home runs, he returned to the Braves as a manager from 1972 to 1974, notably presiding over the game where Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s career home run record. Mathews was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978, leaving behind a legacy defined by his graceful swing and unmatched consistency.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Eddie Mathews | Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves & Houston Astros | Britannica
- Also: Eddie Mathews
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