Hank fills in for Bobby Thomson and starts his career (March 14, 1954)

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2014, Bobby Thomson, Hank Aaron, March 14, Milwaukee Braves

Hank Aaron

What a day this must have been. Wish I could have been there but I would be born later that summer. Hank Aaron, filling in for Bobby Thomson on March 14, 1954, who broke his ankle the day before, starts his first game wearing a Braves uniform.

The 20 year-old from Mobile, Alabama makes such an impression when he collects three hits, including a home run, in the spring training game against Boston that the club offers him a major league contract.

Who knew the journey this would start but it always starts somewhere.

Braves trade a pair of southpaws to the Giants for Bobby Thomson (February 1, 1954)

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1954, Billy Klaus, Bobby Thomson, Don Liddle, February 1, Johnny Antonelli, Milwaukee Braves, New York Giants, Sammy Calderone

Bobby Thomson

In a six-player trade on February 1, 1954, the Braves deal a pair of southpaws, Johnny Antonelli and Don Liddle, catcher Ebba St. Claire as well as shortstop Billy Klaus to the Giants in exchange for playoff hero Bobby Thomson and backstop Sammy Calderone.

Milwaukee’s new outfielder will break his ankle in an exhibition game and will appear in only 43 games, while Johnny Antonelli posts a 21-7 record, leading the league with an ERA of 2.30 for his new team in New York.

Trade always seem like a great idea. Most of the time it doesn’t work out. And so it goes!

They got Bobby but it wasn’t the shot they were expecting (1954)

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1954, Bobby Thomson, Charlie Grimm, Johnny Antonelli, Milwaukee Braves, New York Giants

1954 was a good year for the Milwaukee Braves. Good but not great. Charlie Grimm was the manager.

Bobby Thomson

They ended up 89-65 and finished third, six games behind. They thought they needed some power. The year before Broklyn ran away with the pennant. They hit 52 more home runs than Milwaukee in 1953.

And so, it seemed like a good idea to get Bobby Thomson. In 1951 he hit the “shot heard ’round the world” to win the pennant for the Giants. He was a powerhouse for sure, scoring over 100 runs for his last four years with the Giants.

It cost the Braves dearly to get him. In a six player deal they sent Johnny Antonelli to the Giants. And they got Bobby.

During spring training Thomson broke his ankle slidding into third base. He was out to mid season. Meanwhile, Antonelli pitched the Giants into the World Series. He won 21 games. He led the league in ERA and other pitching categories.

The Braves really helped the Giants that year but not themselves. So it goes with trades. It was not the “shot” they expected.