2001 Assembly Joint Resolution 42
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and accomplishments of Edwin Lee Mathews, Sr.
Whereas, Edwin Lee Mathews, Sr., was born on October 13, 1931, in Texarkana, Texas, raised in Santa Barbara, California, and passed away on February 18, 2001, in LaJolla, California; and
Whereas, Eddie Mathews played for the Milwaukee Braves as third baseman for 13 seasons and helped lead the Braves to the 1957 World Series title over the New York Yankees; and
Whereas, Eddie Mathews became the 7th player in major league history to hit 500 home runs, finishing his career with 512 and tied for 13th place on the all-time list; and he hit 30 or more home runs 9 years in a row, reaching the 40-mark on 4 occasions; and
Whereas, in the Milwaukee Brave's first year in Milwaukee in 1953, Eddie Mathews' 47 home runs for the Braves established a single-season record as he won the National League home run title and led the league again with 46 home runs in 1959; and
Whereas, in August 1954, Eddie Mathews was featured on the cover of the debut issue of Sports Illustrated magazine, hitting a home run at Milwaukee County Stadium; and
Whereas, during his time with the Braves, Eddie Mathews and Hank Aaron hit a combined 863 home runs, surpassing the teammate record of 859 established by the New York Yankees' Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig; and
Whereas, Eddie Mathews hit 32 home runs and drove in 95 runs in 1965, the Braves' final season before moving to Atlanta and was the only player to play for the Braves in Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta; and
Whereas, Eddie Mathews finished his career with 2,315 hits, 1,453 runs batted in, 1,509 runs scored, 1,444 walks, and a .271 batting average, and led the National League in home runs twice and was named to 10 all-star teams; and
Whereas, he returned to Atlanta to manage the Braves for part of the 1972 season, all of the 1973 season, and part of the 1974 season; and
Whereas, Eddie Mathews was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature commend the life and achievements of Eddie Mathews, Sr., express their sorrow at his death, and extend their condolences to his family and friends; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to Mr. Mathews' wife, Judy, and to his children, Eddie, Jr., John, and Stephanie.
