November 1, 1957- The 3,300 citizens of Nitro, West Virginia are having a hero’s welcome for a famous native, Lew Burdette. Mayor W. W. Alexander has issued a proclamation urging all residents to welcome, “the stalwart Milwaukee Braves pitcher, Lew Burdette, whose hurling achievements led that team to its current position as winner of the 1957 World Series.”
AP Story . . .A tired Lew Burdette was on his way to Sarasota, Fla., and a “good night’s sleep ” today after being feted in his hometown by enthusiastic admirers. The town of Nitro, named for its explosives endeavors in World War I, gave the World Series hero a “bang-up” homecoming last night. “This is certainly wonderful,” was all Burdette could say. -The crowd lined Main Street here, named “Lew Burdette Avenue” for the day, and whopped it up in grand style as the parade honoring him wound through the streets. The Milwaukee righthander and his attractive wife, Mary Ann, led the procession in a convertible and then halted at the west end of the 3,500 population town to review it. Two high school bands, fire engines from neighboring communities, and about 100 little leaguers were in the line of march. Residents of communities as far away as 50 miles descended on Nitro to expand things passed to him its population to the bursting point.
Several signs reading “this Is the home of Lew Burdette” were posted along the parade route. One appliance store displayed a window sign reading, “We’re trading crazy for Lew Burdette week.” A mongrel dog led on a leash bore a sign, “Welcome home, Lew” it was the first time he had been back to his native state in two years.
He said it was great to be back, but that all the attention he received since the series makes “a good night’s sleep” a luxury. “This is a crazy life now,’ said Burdette. “It’s been this way since the series.”
The fidgety right-hander, who set the Yankees down three times in the World Series, was sought out by autograph seekers. He spent more than an hour signing baseballs and any and everything passed to him.
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