No. 88: Greatest seasons in Dodgers history: Ralph Branca, 1947

Ralph Branca, 1947

Stats: 21-12, 2.67 ERA, 15 CG, 280 IP, 148 SO, 154 ERA+, 3.57 FIP, 1.246 WHIP

Awards: All-Star, MVP (11th)

Baseball Reference WAR: 6.9

FanGraphs WAR: 4.6

Combined WAR: 5.75

Ralph Branca was a Dodger for 11 seasons. He had many good years with Brooklyn, but today we’ll be taking a look back at his 1947 campaign.

It was a career-year for Branca, has he had career-highs nearly across the board. He was an All-Star for the first time in his career. It was one of three times he’d be named to the All-Star team. In addition to having career-highs nearly everywhere, he was also near the top of almost every pitching category among National League pitchers. He was third in ERA, second in wins, sixth in WHIP, second in innings and third in SO/9.

Branca also finished 11th in MVP voting. He received the third most votes among pitchers.

Game of the year:

July 18 vs. Cardinals: 9 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 4 SO, 1 BB — Gamescore, 88

Here’s where his season ranks among pitchers in Dodgers history who have made at least 30 starts (since the live-ball era):

• 21 wins (17th)
• 2.67 ERA (37th)
• 154 ERA+ (17th)

Get caught up on the rest of the “All-Time Dodgers” lists!

• 100 Greatest Dodgers of All-Time
• 100 Greatest Seasons in Dodgers History