Smoky Burgess
Encyclopedia
Forrest Harrill "Smoky" Burgess (February 6, 1927 – September 15, 1991) was an American
professional
baseball
player, coach
and scout. He played in Major League Baseball
as a catcher
from 1949 to 1967. Later in his career, he became known for his ability as a pinch hitter
, setting the major league career record for career pinch-hits with 145. In his playing days, he stood 5'8" (173 cm), weighed 188 pounds (85 kg), batted left-handed
and threw right-handed.
, Burgess was signed as an amateur free agent
by the Chicago Cubs
in 1944
. In 1947, he led the Tri-State League
with a .387 batting average
. He followed that by leading the Southern Association
with a .386 average in 1948. He broke into the majors in 1949
with the Cubs. In October 1951
, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, who promptly traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies for catcher Andy Seminick
before the start of the 1952
season. With the Phillies, he platooned
alongside the right-hand hitting Stan Lopata
. He had his best season in 1954
, when he had a .368 batting average in 108 games for the Phillies, earning his first All-Star Game
selection.
At the beginning of the 1955 season, he was once again traded for Andy Seminick
and returned to Cincinnati, where he finally got the chance to play every day. He rose to the occasion, hitting for a .306 batting average
for the rest of the season along with 20 home run
s and 77 runs batted in, gaining his second consecutive berth on the National League All-Star
team. On July 29, 1955, Burgess hit three home runs and had nine runs batted in during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Burgess began the 1956 season as the Reds' starting catcher, but when the team faltered early in the season, Reds manager
Birdie Tebbetts
decided to shake things up and replaced Burgess in favor of a younger Ed Bailey
.
In 1959
, Burgess was traded along with Harvey Haddix
and Don Hoak
to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Whammy Douglas, Jim Pendleton
and John Powers
. Burgess was the Pirates catcher on May 26, 1959
when Haddix took a perfect game
into the 13th inning
against the Milwaukee Braves
before losing the game. Burgess also won a World Series
with the Pirates in 1960
, batting .333 in the seven-game series.
By 1963
, Jim Pagliaroni
had taken over as the Pirates' starting catcher and in late 1964
, Burgess was acquired by the Chicago White Sox, who were in the heat of the pennant
race. In his first plate appearance with the White Sox on September 15 against the Detroit Tigers
, he hit a game-tying home run off pitcher Dave Wickersham
. Over the next three years, he was used almost exclusively as a pinch hitter, appearing in just 7 games behind the plate
. After an 18-year career, Burgess retired at the end of the 1967
season.
hitting for a .295 career batting average
with 126 home run
s, 673 RBI and a .362 on base percentage
. He accumulated 1318 career hits
with 230 doubles
and 33 triples
. His .295 career batting average ranked him 10th among Major League catchers as of 2006. A six-time All-Star
, Burgess led National League catchers in fielding percentage
three times, in 1953
, 1960
and 1961
. His Major League record of 145 career pinch hits was broken by Manny Mota
in . Along with Curt Simmons
, he was the last player to formally retire who had played in the major leagues in the 1940s (not counting Minnie Miñoso, who un-retired twice).
as a scout and minor league
batting coach with the Pulaski Braves in Pulaski, VA. He was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1975. He was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 1978. Burgess died at age 64 in Asheville, North Carolina
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player, coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
and scout. He played in 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...
as a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
from 1949 to 1967. Later in his career, he became known for his ability as a pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
, setting the major league career record for career pinch-hits with 145. In his playing days, he stood 5'8" (173 cm), weighed 188 pounds (85 kg), batted left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
and threw right-handed.
Baseball career
Born in Caroleen, North CarolinaNorth Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, Burgess was signed as an amateur free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
by the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in 1944
1944 Chicago Cubs season
- Offseason :* Prior to 1944 season ** Smoky Burgess was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cubs.** Jim Pearce was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cubs.- Notable transactions :...
. In 1947, he led the Tri-State League
Tri-State League
The Tri-State League was the name of five different circuits in American minor league baseball.-History:The first league of that name played for four years and consisted of teams in Ohio, Michigan and West Virginia....
with a .387 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
. He followed that by leading the Southern Association
Southern Association
The Southern Association was a higher-level minor league in American organized baseball from 1901 through 1961. For most of its existence, the Southern Association was two steps below the Major Leagues; it was graded Class A , Class A1 and Class AA...
with a .386 average in 1948. He broke into the majors in 1949
1949 Chicago Cubs season
- Offseason :* October 4, 1948: Bill Nicholson was traded by the Cubs to the Philadelphia Phillies for Harry Walker.* November 8, 1948: Bob Speake was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cubs.- Notable transactions :...
with the Cubs. In October 1951
1951 Chicago Cubs season
- Offseason :* October 10, 1950: Hank Edwards and cash were traded by the Cubs to the Brooklyn Dodgers for Dee Fondy and Chuck Connors.- Notable transactions :...
, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, who promptly traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies for catcher Andy Seminick
Andy Seminick
Andrew Wasal Seminick was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies between 1943 and 1951, and the Cincinnati Reds/Redlegs from 1952 through part of 1955, when he rejoined the Phillies for the rest of his career until...
before the start of the 1952
1952 Philadelphia Phillies season
- Offseason :In March 1952, during spring training, shortstop Granny Hamner was named captain of the team by manager Eddie Sawyer.- Notable transactions :...
season. With the Phillies, he platooned
Platoon system
The platoon system in baseball is a method of designating two players to a single defensive position—usually one right-handed and one left-handed. Typically the right-handed half of the platoon is played on days when the opposing pitcher is left-handed and the left-handed player is played otherwise...
alongside the right-hand hitting Stan Lopata
Stan Lopata
Stanley Edward Lopata was an American professional baseball player. Lopata played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for parts of 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Braves...
. He had his best season in 1954
1954 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies season was a season in Major League Baseball. The Phillies finished fourth in the National League with a record of 75 wins and 79 losses.- Offseason :* December 1, 1953: 1953 minor league draft...
, when he had a .368 batting average in 108 games for the Phillies, earning his first All-Star Game
1954 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1954 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 21st playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball...
selection.
At the beginning of the 1955 season, he was once again traded for Andy Seminick
Andy Seminick
Andrew Wasal Seminick was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies between 1943 and 1951, and the Cincinnati Reds/Redlegs from 1952 through part of 1955, when he rejoined the Phillies for the rest of his career until...
and returned to Cincinnati, where he finally got the chance to play every day. He rose to the occasion, hitting for a .306 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
for the rest of the season along with 20 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 77 runs batted in, gaining his second consecutive berth on the National League All-Star
1955 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1955 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 22nd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball...
team. On July 29, 1955, Burgess hit three home runs and had nine runs batted in during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Burgess began the 1956 season as the Reds' starting catcher, but when the team faltered early in the season, Reds manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
Birdie Tebbetts
Birdie Tebbetts
George Robert "Birdie" Tebbetts was an American professional baseball player, manager, scout and front office executive. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians from to...
decided to shake things up and replaced Burgess in favor of a younger Ed Bailey
Ed Bailey
Lonas Edgar Bailey, Jr. was an American professional baseball player who played catcher in the Major Leagues from through . Bailey batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He was born in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee...
.
In 1959
1959 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The 1959 Pittsburgh Pirates season saw the team finish in fourth place in the National League at 78-76, nine games behind the NL and World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers.- Offseason :...
, Burgess was traded along with Harvey Haddix
Harvey Haddix
Harvey Haddix, Jr. was a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher who played with the St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Phillies , Cincinnati Redlegs , Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles . Haddix was born in Medway, Ohio, located just outside of Springfield...
and Don Hoak
Don Hoak
Donald Albert Hoak was a Major League Baseball player. Nicknamed "Tiger," Hoak was a third baseman who played ten seasons in the Majors with the Brooklyn Dodgers , Chicago Cubs , Cincinnati Reds , Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies...
to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Whammy Douglas, Jim Pendleton
Jim Pendleton
James Edward Pendleton , was an American professional baseball player, an outfielder in the Major Leagues between 1953 and 1962. The native of St. Charles, Missouri, played for the Milwaukee Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and Houston Colt .45s...
and John Powers
John Powers (baseball)
John Calvin Powers was an American professional baseball player, an outfielder who played for all or parts of six seasons in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians.The native of Birmingham, Alabama, batted left-handed, threw...
. Burgess was the Pirates catcher on May 26, 1959
1959 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Chicago White Sox ; Larry Sherry, MVP*All-Star Game , July 7 at Forbes Field: National League, 5-4*All-Star Game , August 3 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: American League, 5-3...
when Haddix took a perfect game
Perfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
into the 13th inning
Inning
Inning is a municipality in the district of Erding in Bavaria in Germany....
against the Milwaukee Braves
1957 Milwaukee Braves season
The Milwaukee Braves season was the year that the team won its first and only World Series championship while based in Milwaukee. The Braves won 95 games and lost 59 to win the National League pennant by eight games over the second-place St. Louis Cardinals....
before losing the game. Burgess also won a World Series
1960 World Series
The 1960 World Series was played between the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League and the New York Yankees of the American League from October 5 to October 13, 1960...
with the Pirates in 1960
1960 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the team's 79th season. The team finished with a record of 95-59, seven games in front of the second-place Milwaukee Braves to win their first National League championship in 33 seasons...
, batting .333 in the seven-game series.
By 1963
1963 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Offseason :* November 19, 1962: Dick Groat and Diomedes Olivo were traded by the Pirates to the St. Louis Cardinals for Don Cardwell and Julio Gotay.- Regular season :...
, Jim Pagliaroni
Jim Pagliaroni
James Vincent Pagliaroni was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1955-1969 for the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Pilots....
had taken over as the Pirates' starting catcher and in late 1964
1964 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 83rd in franchise history. The team finished tied for sixth in the National League with a record of 80-82, 13 games behind the St...
, Burgess was acquired by the Chicago White Sox, who were in the heat of the pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
race. In his first plate appearance with the White Sox on September 15 against the Detroit Tigers
1964 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fourth in the American League with a record of 85-77, 14 games behind the New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
, he hit a game-tying home run off pitcher Dave Wickersham
Dave Wickersham
David Clifford Wickersham is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1960 through 1969, he played for the Kansas City Athletics , Detroit Tigers , Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals . Wickersham batted and threw right-handed...
. Over the next three years, he was used almost exclusively as a pinch hitter, appearing in just 7 games behind the plate
Home Plate
Home Plate is the fifth album by Bonnie Raitt, released in 1975 .-Track listing:#"What Do You Want the Boy to Do?" – 3:19#"Good Enough" – 2:56#"Run Like a Thief" – 3:02...
. After an 18-year career, Burgess retired at the end of the 1967
1967 Chicago White Sox season
The 1967 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 67th season in the major leagues, and its 68th season overall. They finished with a record 89-73, good enough for fourth place in the American League, 3 games behind the first-place Boston Red Sox.- Offseason :...
season.
Career statistics
Over his career, Burgess played in 1691 gamesGames played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
hitting for a .295 career batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
with 126 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, 673 RBI and a .362 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
. He accumulated 1318 career hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
with 230 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and 33 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
. His .295 career batting average ranked him 10th among Major League catchers as of 2006. A six-time All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, Burgess led National League catchers in fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
three times, in 1953
1953 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies season was the 71st in franchise history.- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :...
, 1960
1960 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the team's 79th season. The team finished with a record of 95-59, seven games in front of the second-place Milwaukee Braves to win their first National League championship in 33 seasons...
and 1961
1961 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Notable transactions :* May, 1961: Don Williams was purchased from the Pirates by the Chicago White Sox.* June 20, 1961: Gene Baker was released by the Pirates.* June 24, 1961: Ron Woods was signed by the Pirates as an amateur free agent.- Roster :...
. His Major League record of 145 career pinch hits was broken by Manny Mota
Manny Mota
Manuel Rafael Mota Geronimo, more commonly known as Manny Mota was a Major League Baseball Outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Expos and most notably the Los Angeles Dodgers, best known for his pinch hitting abilities...
in . Along with Curt Simmons
Curt Simmons
Curtis Thomas "Curt" Simmons is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1947–50 and 1952-67. With right-hander Robin Roberts, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Simmons was one of the twin anchors of the starting rotation of the "Whiz Kids", the Philadelphia Phillies' ...
, he was the last player to formally retire who had played in the major leagues in the 1940s (not counting Minnie Miñoso, who un-retired twice).
Post-playing career
When his playing career ended, Burgess spent many years with the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
as a scout and minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
batting coach with the Pulaski Braves in Pulaski, VA. He was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1975. He was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 1978. Burgess died at age 64 in Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
.
See also
- Major League Baseball all-time pinch hit leaders
External links
- Baseball Library - profile and chronology
- The Deadball Era
- Smoky Burgess obituary at the New York Times
- Catcher With A Belly, by Frank Yeutter, Baseball Digest, May 1953
- let Me Have Men About Me That Are Fat..., by Walter Bingham, Sports Illustrated, June 22, 1959
- Catcher With The Highest Average, by Ed Rumill, Baseball Digest, December 1963
- The Buddha with the Clutch Touch, by Francis Stan, Baseball Digest, July 1966