Career Hightlights | Ralph Branca's career hightlights

Highlights of Ralph Branca's Career:

Branca debuted on June 12, 1944 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and put up a 3.04 ERA in 109.2 innings pitched in 1944, his rookie year. A three-time All-Star Game player.
Ralph won 80 games for the Dodgers with a career-high 21 wins in 1947 at 21 years old. This accomplishment was not achieved by a pitcher in his early twenties for 37 years until Dwight Gooden at 20 years old won 27-4 record in 1984 in his second season with the New York Mets. Ralph Branca’s salary was increased to $12,500 in 1948.
Ralph is one of eight pitchers to win 21 games at the age of 21 years old in the history of Major League Baseball.
Ralph is a three time All-Star Starting pitcher, 1947, 1948 & 1949.
Ralph's Post-Season Appearances: 1947 World Series 1949 World Series.
Ralph's lifetime career he won 88 games and lost 68 games with lifetime ERA of 3.79.
Ralph was the youngest Pitcher to start in a World Series game at the age of 21 years old in 1947.
Ralph was traded to the New York Yankees in 1954, as a relief pitcher he pitched 12.2 innings, with an ERA of 2.84.
Ralph was a contestant on Concentration, where he won 17 straight games The All Time Champ.
Ralph appeared, on The Ed Sullivan show singing… "Because of you”… in honor of Bobby Thompson.
Ralph, supporting Jackie Robinson, the first Negro MLB baseball player in 1947, drafted by The Brooklyn Dodgers. Ralph was photographed standing next to Jackie on opening day, April 15, 1947. When there were death threats that Jackie would be killed if he took the field.

The Decoy Game - 1946
The Brooklyn Dodgers vs. St. Louis Redbirds 1946 Manager: Leo Durocher, announced Right Hander Ralph Branca would be the starting pitcher. With the intentions of luring the St Louis Cardinals to start there left-handers in their All Star Line Up! Durocher had left-hander Vic Lombardi warming up secretly under the grandstands with intention of pulling Ralph after one batter.

Leo Durocher decided to use Branca as a decoy. "The Lip's" plan was to announce Branca as his starter, let him face one batter, and then bring in a southpaw. But Branca looked so impressive warming up and against the first batter that Durocher left him in the game.

The big right-hander hurled a shutout against the Redbirds, and followed up with another shutout in his next start. His very impressive scoreless-innings streak eventually reached 20 innings.