Card Statistics
Lew Burdette is presented in Helmar’s T4 series with the Boston Nationals at the completion of his pitching motion, his body leaning sharply forward as his throwing arm extends toward the plate and his legs spread to absorb the momentum of the delivery. The cream Braves uniform, blue-and-red cap, bright blue undersleeve, and striped stockings give the figure a strong Boston identity, while the broad stance and lowered shoulders create a pronounced sense of forward movement. Burdette’s concentrated expression and compact follow-through capture the controlled mechanics of a pitcher whose success depended as much on movement, command, and changing speeds as on raw velocity.
The original artwork was painted by Natalia Valiukavich in watercolor. She develops the pale uniform with layered cream, gray, ochre, and muted blue-green washes, using stronger shadows through the shirt, waist, and trouser folds to emphasize the twist of Burdette’s body. The blue cap and undersleeve provide the principal color accents, while the red-and-blue details in the stockings and uniform trim add smaller points of contrast. The brick outfield wall is especially effective as a background element, its warm reddish-brown surface setting off the lighter figure. Above it, the grandstand is rendered in softened horizontal bands of blue, gray, violet, and muted color, creating depth without distracting from the pitcher.
Selva Lewis “Lew” Burdette became one of the National League’s most dependable pitchers during the 1950s and early 1960s. He reached the major leagues briefly with the New York Yankees before being traded to the Boston Braves in 1951, then moved with the franchise to Milwaukee in 1953. A right-hander known for exceptional control, changing speeds, and a sinking fastball, Burdette developed into a durable starter capable of carrying a heavy workload and pitching especially well in important games.
Burdette won 203 games during an eighteen-season major-league career and recorded 33 shutouts. His defining achievement came in the 1957 World Series against the New York Yankees, when he won three complete games, including two shutouts, to lead Milwaukee to the championship and earn World Series Most Valuable Player honors. He won 20 games in 1958 and 21 in 1959, and in 1960 he pitched a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies. Burdette’s durability and postseason success made him one of the principal pitchers of the Braves’ strongest years.
Numbered #41, the Burdette card presents him during the comparatively brief Boston phase of his Braves career, before the franchise’s move to Milwaukee and his greatest accomplishments. The forward lean, extended throwing arm, wide stance, blue-and-red uniform details, brick wall, and softly rendered grandstand give card #41 a strong sense of period ballpark atmosphere. Burdette’s 203 career victories, 1957 World Series MVP performance, three victories in that championship series, and 1960 no-hitter give him substantial historical importance within the T4 series.
Original watercolor artwork by Natalia Valiukavich.
- Description: Low brick wall behind
- Team: Boston Braves
- Population (# Sold): 15
- First Date Sold: 2022-09-13
- Latest Date Sold: 2026-08-11
- Card Status: Active
- # Sold in past year: 4
- Highest Auction: $ 53.89
- Average Auction Result: $ 17.22
Popularity Rankings
Visit these teammates on the Boston Braves in the Helmar T4 series
Click the Card # link to go to Card Info, Click the Player Name link to go the the Player Biography
