Bobby Bragan dead at 92

[JohnBriggs12]

Bragan managed the Milwaukee Braves in their final 3 seasons. For those that don't know, prior to 1965, Braves ownership announced publically they were moving to Atlanta. Only a court order kept them in Milwaukee for 1965 to honor their lease. It was a bitter time. The Braves games were being telecast all right, but to Atlanta. They did have a radio deal so we did hear the games and I as a 12-13 year old clung to the hope that a pennant was the only thing that could shame baseball into keeping the team and that was a pretty good team that was capable.

 

Management of the team stayed far away from Milwaukee that entire season. So fairly or unfairly, the symbol of management became Bobby Bragan, in large part because of his southern roots and drawl which back then was like fingernails on a blackboard to Braves fans. I attended 7 games that year at County Stadium. Each and every time Bragan popped out of the dugout to talk to a pitcher, the fans let loose with boos. Taking their team didn't sit well with fans.

 

So Bobby, just one more time: Boooooo! and RIP.

[RockCoCougars]

I feel badly for his family, but Bragan was truly one of the villains in the Milwaukee move to Atlanta. He certainly wasn't a favorite of my dad, that's for sure. I found this link, now I know why....check it out.

 

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19660127&id=1wIqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xicEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4022,3427853

 

 

 

[BrewersSuperCollector]

Bragan was a very good signer for the fans, and a military vet. RIP

[Funketown]

The complaint about the heaters in the article above is pretty funny. Probably hard for a southerner to understand that Wisconsinites don't mind 60 degrees and breezy.

[BlueFever]

Bragan managed the Milwaukee Braves in their final 3 seasons. For those that don't know, prior to 1965, Braves ownership announced publically they were moving to Atlanta. Only a court order kept them in Milwaukee for 1965 to honor their lease. It was a bitter time. The Braves games were being telecast all right, but to Atlanta. They did have a radio deal so we did hear the games and I as a 12-13 year old clung to the hope that a pennant was the only thing that could shame baseball into keeping the team and that was a pretty good team that was capable.

 

Management of the team stayed far away from Milwaukee that entire season. So fairly or unfairly, the symbol of management became Bobby Bragan, in large part because of his southern roots and drawl which back then was like fingernails on a blackboard to Braves fans. I attended 7 games that year at County Stadium. Each and every time Bragan popped out of the dugout to talk to a pitcher, the fans let loose with boos. Taking their team didn't sit well with fans.

 

So Bobby, just one more time: Boooooo! and RIP.

I also was 12 during the '65 season and I felt as if I had lost my parents that season, it was that type of feeling for me. My older brother, neighbor, and myself made several trips for day games the last two years or so via Greyhound bus and having fathers take turns driving us to twin-bills. My fondest memory was getting an autograph from Warren Spahn, a fellow lefty.

 

In reading "Milwaukee Braves Heroes and Heartbreak" about Bragan it was mentioned "the most notorious incident behind Bragan's boisterous reputation happened on July 31,1957, in front of County Stadium fans. In the second unsuccessful year of his first big-league managing job for Pittsburgh, Bragan made an appeal play at second base. When the umpire ruled in the Braves' favor, Bragan displayed his opinion by holding his nose. That prompted his ejection. Instead of walking off the field gracefully, Bragan paraded back onto the field, sipping an orange drink he had purchased from the stands. After offering a sip to umpire Frank Secory, he was ordered off the field. He then motioned as if to throw the drink into the umpire's face. Only under threat of Pittsburgh's forfeit of the game did Bragan finally leave the field. Two days after the incident, he was fired."

-------

I was relieved when the Brewers moved to the NL. I was always a NL fan. Never was a DH fan. So many memories of the Braves in those last two plus years at County Stadium. I still am known to parade around during the season with a Milwaukee Braves cap (Cooperstown Collection) purchased at Lids. (sigh)

[TooLiveBrew]

I still haven't finished that book, BlueFever. Not for lack of time, though. It's such a great read I always make sure to set it down after half an hour or an hour. I want to savor it... not just blow through it like I would if I didn't make myself put it down.

[Point Beer Is Best]

So, I had a panic attack when I read this headline:

 

"Mr. Baseball" passes away

 

Apparently, that's what folks in Texas called Bragan.