1957 Braves Indian
“Bushville Wins”, was the slogan seen and heard across the world as the Milwaukee Braves defeated the New York Yankees in the 1957 World Series. It was the first professional sports championship for Milwaukee and one that deserved a celebration unlike anything seen in the city.
Minutes after Eddie Matthews’ foot touched third base, signaling the final out of the Series, Milwaukeeans all over rushed into the streets celebrating. Restaurants closed, traffic stopped. People even brought beer kegs into the streets. As the team flew back from New York, over 100,000 people jammed Mitchell Airport and an additional 400,000 spectators overflowed on both sides of Wisconsin Avenue, the main route for the victory parade. Cardboard cutouts, depicting an Indian brave holding a bat while sitting on top of the world were attached to every lamp post along the route.
As the parade moved along Wisconsin Avenue, people marched along with signs declaring, “Burdette for President’ and “Mathews for Vice-President”. Fans and city officials alike were getting in on the celebration. Mayor Frank Ziedler and City Council President Martin Schreiber were showing their support by waving Braves pennants. When the team finally reached County Stadium, the entire complex was full. Fans that were still in a frenzy on Wisconsin Avenue recognized the importance of the event and wanted a souvenir. People began to climb the street lamps and pull down the Indian cutouts. One man was captured on film holding his prize above his head while in the midst of a celebratory yell. Their team was on top of the sports world and they wanted something to remember it by.
While the Indian cutout is only one small aspect of the larger victory parade for the team, it is a reminder of how success in professional sports whether it is an underdog like Milwaukee or a goliath like New York, can give a city and its people what it feels like to be a champion.
