Alex Burr
Encyclopedia
Alexander Thomson Burr was a Major League Baseball
player who was killed in World War I. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Burr attended Williams College
, although he turned pro before he ever played a collegiate game. Burr made the New York Yankees
roster as a pitcher under manager Frank Chance
. However, his only game appearance for the Yankees (on April 21, 1914) came in center field. He had no fielding chances and did not have a plate appearance.
Burr returned to Williams after his pro career ended, but he volunteered to serve in the war before he graduated. He was killed in an airplane accident on October 12, 1918 while serving in the United States Army Air Service in Cazaux, France. Burr's plane crashed into a lake in flames; although the article at right indicates that his body was never found, in fact it was recovered after 12 days. He had been serving in France since November 1917 and was 24 years old at the time of his death.
Burr was one of five Major League Baseball
players who were killed in World War I
. The others were: Bun Troy
‚ Larry Chappell
‚ Eddie Grant‚ and Ralph Sharman
. He was buried in France and his remains were later repatriated; his final resting place is currently unknown.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player who was killed in World War I. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Burr attended Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
, although he turned pro before he ever played a collegiate game. Burr made the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
roster as a pitcher under manager Frank Chance
Frank Chance
Frank Leroy Chance was a Major League Baseball player at the turn of the 20th century. Performing the roles of first baseman and manager, Chance led the Chicago Cubs to four National League championships in the span of five years and earned the nickname "The Peerless Leader".Chance was elected to...
. However, his only game appearance for the Yankees (on April 21, 1914) came in center field. He had no fielding chances and did not have a plate appearance.
Burr returned to Williams after his pro career ended, but he volunteered to serve in the war before he graduated. He was killed in an airplane accident on October 12, 1918 while serving in the United States Army Air Service in Cazaux, France. Burr's plane crashed into a lake in flames; although the article at right indicates that his body was never found, in fact it was recovered after 12 days. He had been serving in France since November 1917 and was 24 years old at the time of his death.
Burr was one of five Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
players who were killed in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The others were: Bun Troy
Bun Troy
Robert Gustave "Bun" Troy was a German-born Major League Baseball pitcher who was killed in action while serving with the U.S. Army during World War I at Petit Majouym, France....
‚ Larry Chappell
Larry Chappell
La Verne Ashford “Larry” Chappell was a professional baseball player who played from 1913 to 1917 for the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians and Boston Braves....
‚ Eddie Grant‚ and Ralph Sharman
Ralph Sharman
Ralph Edward Sharman , nicknamed "Bally" was a Major League Baseball outfielder who died while serving in the U.S. Army during World War I. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Sharman was a right-handed hitting outfielder who was called up to the major leagues at age 22 in September 1917...
. He was buried in France and his remains were later repatriated; his final resting place is currently unknown.