What if Satchel Paige was an Atlanta Braves pitcher in his prime?
By Jeff Schafer
Paige Signed With The Braves To Get His Pension
Think about some of the great pitchers that have come along within the Atlanta Braves system as well as in the major leagues. Then think about the ones that have left a huge mark on baseball history – Sandy Koufax, Randy Johnson, Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, Bob Feller, Bob Gibson, Walter Johnson, Roger Clemens and how about that guy named Cy Young.
Braves? We’ve had a couple! Warren Spahn, Greg Maddux, John Smolz, Phil Niekro, Tom Glavine, Tim Hudson, Craig Kimbrel, how about Lew Burdette!
One pitcher who left a mark on baseball history had signed to ‘pitch’ for the Braves, but never saw game action in a Braves uniform. One of the greatest pitchers of all time, Leroy “Satchel” Paige was signed by the Atlanta Braves on August 12, 1968.
Now did the Braves sign him to actually pitch, no. They signed Paige so he could receive his Major League Baseball pension and labeled him as a part-time pitcher and adviser. He needed 158 days on an active roster in order to fill the five-year requirement to receive his pension, so the Braves essentially were doing him a favor.
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What If Paige Actually Had Played For The Braves?
Paige had an arm, a great arm. Playing seventeen years in the Negro Leagues before finally breaking through into Major League Baseball in 1948 with the Cleveland Indians,
Paige was one of the all-time greats and became the first Negro League Star inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971.
Spanning a six-year career in the majors, Paige played for the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Browns and Kansas City Athletics.
A career that saw him start and come in for relief, Paige posted a 28-31 record, while recording 33 saves.
He posted a career 3.29 ERA, while compiling 288 strikeouts. While with the St. Louis Browns, Paige was selected to two All-Star Games.
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One of the greats, coming out of the Negro Leagues to make an impact on Major League Baseball. Although Paige did help the Braves pitchers with tips while playing for them, think if he was in the rotation and not just helping.
In the years Paige was playing the majors, the Braves would have had a rotation with Warren Spahn and Satchel Paige…that would have been dangerous. The Milwaukee Braves were a really solid team during this time Paige would have made them so much better…oh, the what if game!