Braves 400 Club Luke Appling Nostalgia Award

Braves 400 Club Luke Appling Nostalgia Award
Alvin Dark, with Banquet MC Ernie Johnson, Jr.	Alvin Dark In 1992 the Braves 400 Club established the Luke Appling Nostalgia Award to recognize a former baseball personality who "evokes and recalls the memories of baseball" which Luke held dear. This year's winnder is Alvin Dark. Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles after a stellar football career at LSU, Alvin Dark chose baseball over football. Alvin began his major league career as the shortstop with the pennant winning 1948 Boston Braves. He was also named Rookie of the Year and finished third in MVP balloting that year. After the 1949 season, Alvin was traded to the Giants. With Alvin at shortstop, the team won pennants in 1951 and 1954. Alvin later played for the Cardinals, Cubs, Phillies and the Milwaukee Braves. After the 1960 season, the Giants sent an infielder to the Braves to acquire Alvin --not to play, but to manage. In 1962, he led the Giants to a pennant and managed there until 1964. In 1966, the A's hired Alvin, then he later spent four years with the Cleveland Indians. Alvin Dark returned to manage the A's to the 1974 World Championship. He then managed the 1975 A's to a first place finish. In 1977, Alvin managed the Padres, then retired from the majors.

In 1992 the Braves 400 Club established the Luke Appling Nostalgia Award to recognize a former baseball personality who "evokes and recalls the memories of baseball" which Luke held dear. This year's winnder is Alvin Dark.

Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles after a stellar football career at LSU, Alvin Dark chose baseball over football. Alvin began his major league career as the shortstop with the pennant winning 1948 Boston Braves. He was also named Rookie of the Year and finished third in MVP balloting that year.

After the 1949 season, Alvin was traded to the Giants. With Alvin at shortstop, the team won pennants in 1951 and 1954. Alvin later played for the Cardinals, Cubs, Phillies and the Milwaukee Braves.

After the 1960 season, the Giants sent an infielder to the Braves to acquire Alvin --not to play, but to manage. In 1962, he led the Giants to a pennant and managed there until 1964. In 1966, the A's hired Alvin, then he later spent four years with the Cleveland Indians.

Alvin Dark returned to manage the A's to the 1974 World Championship. He then managed the 1975 A's to a first place finish. In 1977, Alvin managed the Padres, then retired from the majors.