Milwaukee Braves, 1953-1965
Hank Aaron Batting During Spring Training, 1955
Aaron joined the Braves for the 1954 season, batting .280 with 13 home runs in 122 games. In 1955, he hit .314 with 27 home runs, and went on to become the major-league career home run champion. WHI 1977
Early Braves History, 1953-1957
Hoping to attract a major league team, Milwaukee County decided to build a 36,000-seat baseball stadium. The St. Louis Browns seemed the most likely new tenants, but the Boston Braves organization, which owned the popular Milwaukee Brewers minor-league team, blocked the Browns' proposed move and relocated the Braves instead.
The arrival of the Braves in Milwaukee in the spring of 1953 signaled a new era in baseball history. The Boston Braves were the first major league franchise in half a century to relocate. In the following eight years, five more teams would switch cities for better economic opportunities.
The Braves brought exciting baseball to fans throughout the Upper Midwest. Led by young sluggers Eddie Mathews and Henry Aaron and powerful pitchers Warren Spahn and Lew Burdette, the Braves became perennial National League contenders, finishing lower than second only once between 1953 and 1960.
Milwaukee Braves Mascot Statuette, 1953-1958
Wisconsin Historical Museum object # 1978.274.6
Autographed Baseball, 1953
Wisconsin Historical Museum object # 1978.274.8
Pennant, 1953-1960
Wisconsin Historical Museum object # 1978.274.9
Souvenir Fan, 1953-1958
Wisconsin Historical Museum object # 1986.17.1
Pennant, 1953-1957
Wisconsin Historical Museum object # 1979.316.50
Boy's Milwaukee Braves Uniform, 1954-1955
Empire Sporting Goods Mfg. Co., Inc., New York, NY. This replica uniform was worn by 12-year-old Braves fan Jay Poster of Madison, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Historical Museum object # 1998.226.1a-b