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Johnny Sain’s pitching career is a remarkable story of resilience and achievement. He made his Major League debut in 1942 with the Boston Braves, starting three games and making 37 relief appearances. However, his career took a detour as he served the next three years in the US Navy as a pilot during World War II.

Upon his return to baseball in 1946, Sain quickly established himself as a top-tier pitcher, notching three consecutive 20-win seasons. The pinnacle of his career came in 1948, a season that was particularly significant for both him and the Braves. Sain led the National League with an impressive 24 victories, earning him second-place in MVP voting and propelling the Braves to the World Series.

In the Fall Classic, Sain showcased his skills brilliantly. He was the starting pitcher in Game 1, where he delivered a stellar performance, tossing a four-hit shutout against the legendary Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians. Sain returned to the mound for Game 4, going the distance again. Despite a allowing just five hits he faced disappointment as the Braves fell 2-1, marking Sain as the tough-luck loser.

Shown here is a ticket to Game 4 of the 1948 World Series signed by 1948 MVP Lou Boudreau. Sain’s complete-game five-hit performance came in a losing effort.

Indians player/manager Boudreau played a part in the Indians 2-1 victory over the Boston Braves. In the bottom of the first inning he hit a double down the right field line to score leadoff man Dale Mitchell. In the third inning Larry Doby added a solo home run that proved to be the difference.

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Johnny Sain won 104 games during his seven seasons with the Boston Braves. A three-time 20-game winner in Beantown, Sain provided the franchise value on his way out of town.

The Braves dealt Sain to the Yankees on August 29, 1951, four weeks shy of his 34th birthday. The one-for-one swap gave Boston unheralded 24-year old Lew Burdette and $50,000.

Burdette found stardom with the Braves, winning at least 15 games in 8 of 9 years from 1953-1961. A two-time 20-game winner in his own right, Burdette made his mark i the 1957 World Series.

Facing his former Yankee club, Burdette had three complete-game victories. In Games 5 and 7 he twirled shutouts. Burdette’s performance made him the World Series MVP.

In New York Sain did just fine, earning World Series rings in 1951, ’52, and ’53.

Shown here is a 1953 government postcard autogrpahed by 203-game winner Burdette. For more on his career, click here.

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The runner-up for the 1948 NL MVP award, Johnny Sain led the league in wins, complete games and innings. He was also a fine hitter. In 774 career at bats, Sain hit .245 with just 20 strikeouts.

After a pitching career that included four 20-win seasons and three All Star appearances, Sain went on to become one of the most effective and respected pitching coaches in baseball.

In the collection is this 1973 Topps contract for Sain. At that time he was the pitching coach for Chuck Tanner’s White Sox, a position he held from 1971-1975.

Sain also holds the distinction of being the last pitcher to face Babe Ruth in a big league game as well as the first to face Jackie Robinson. On April 15, 1947, Sain was the starting pitcher for Robinson’s historic MLB debut. Four years earlier he was the last man to pitch to Babe Ruth in an organized baseball game during a 1943 exhibition at Yankee Stadium.

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The reverse of the Topps contract includes the signatures of John F. Sain and Sy Berger, the longtime Topps employee. Sain was immortalized by Gerald V. Hern’s poem about Sain and teammate Warren Spahn that first appeared in the Boston Globe.

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The Topps contract was signed in part so Sain could appear on this 1973 Topps card as pitching coach for White Sox skipper Chuck Tanner. During his playing career Sain missed three seasons due to World War II. When he returned to play in 1946 he reeled off four 20-win seasons over the next five years.

His best season came in 1948 when he won 24 games and placed second in MVP voting. Sain was also a member of the Yankee World Championship teams of 1951, 1952, and 1953.

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Though Cooperstown is home to the game’s greatest managers, the Hall of Fame has yet to induct any coaches. Many believe the line starts behind Johnny Sain and his protege Leo Mazzone.

Sain might already have a plaque for his playing career if not for his military service during World War II. The right-hander broke in with the Boston Braves in 1942. His first year Sain appeared in 40 games and led the Braves in saves. Then he missed three full seasons serving his country in World War II.

Upon his return, Sain was magnificent. He won 20 or more games in each of the following three seasons, and in four out of his next five. Sain was named to the All Star team in both 1946 and ’47 when he won a combined 45 games. Despite missing three seasons in his prime, Sain finished with 139 wins, 140 complete games, and 53 saves.

Sain was also adept with a bat in his hands. He hit .245 for his career and had 101 RBI in 774 at bats. In 1948 he led the entire National League in sacrifice hits in 1948 – the first pitcher to lead the league in any offensive category. Sain led his league’s pitchers in RBI five time. His 20 career strikeouts are the least amount for all hitters with between 500-800 lifetime at bats since 1910.

Despite his all star career, Sain greatest contributions to baseball came during his time as a pitching coach.

He helped make Whitey Ford a Hall of Fame pitcher and later guided the Twins pitching staff to the team’s first pennant in 1965. Sain also served as pitching coach for the World Series champion ’68 Tigers.

After that he moved on to Chicago where he worked as the White Sox pitching coach. At every stop Sain’s pitchers had great success.

In his 17 seasons as a pitching coach Sain tutored 16 hurlers who won 20 or more under his guidance. He was effective with a variety of personalities and talents, coaching such men as the Yankees’ Ford, Denny McLain, Jim Bouton, Jim Kaat, Wilbur Wood, Mudcat Grant, and others.

In the questionnaire above, Mazzone writes of Sain’s Cooperstown worthiness. “Should be a lock. Check track record – knew more about the mental approach and physical mechanics [than anyone] I ever met. Positive all the time.”

There is much debate as to whether the Hall of Fame should recognize coaches with a plaque. If they ever do, Sain and Mazzone make a fine place to start.