Wally Burnette
Encyclopedia
Wallace Harper Burnette was an American
professional baseball
player who pitched
for the Kansas City Athletics from -. He was born in Blairs, Virginia
.
In three seasons, he compiled a win-loss record of 14-21, appeared in 68 games, started 27 games, completing 5 games and once pitching a shutout
, pitched 262.7 innings, walked 122, struck out 122, gave up 259 hits, and had a career ERA
of 3.65. His key pitch was his knuckleball
.
Burnette was signed as an amateur free agent by the New York Yankees
, but was traded to Kansas City for future Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda
on July 11, 1956.
Burnette's daughter said of him:
He died at age 73 in Danville, Virginia
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
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....
player who pitched
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Kansas City Athletics from -. He was born in Blairs, Virginia
Blairs, Virginia
Blairs is a census-designated place in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 916.-Reference:*...
.
In three seasons, he compiled a win-loss record of 14-21, appeared in 68 games, started 27 games, completing 5 games and once pitching a shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
, pitched 262.7 innings, walked 122, struck out 122, gave up 259 hits, and had a career ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 3.65. His key pitch was his knuckleball
Knuckleball
A knuckleball is a baseball pitch with an erratic, unpredictable motion. The pitch is thrown so as to minimize the spin of the ball in flight. This causes vortices over the stitched seams of the baseball during its trajectory, which in turn can cause the pitch to change direction—and even...
.
Burnette was signed as an amateur free agent by 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...
, but was traded to Kansas City for future Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda
Tommy Lasorda
Thomas Charles Lasorda is a former Major League baseball player and manager. marked his sixth decade in one capacity or another with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers organization, the longest non-continuous tenure anyone has had with the team, edging Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully...
on July 11, 1956.
Burnette's daughter said of him:
- He thought the salaries [current major leaguers] were drawing were ridiculous. What he made then wasn't even 1 percent of what they're making now. He played for the love of the game.
He died at age 73 in Danville, Virginia
Danville, Virginia
Danville is an independent city in Virginia, United States, bounded by Pittsylvania County, Virginia and Caswell County, North Carolina. It was the last capital of the Confederate States of America. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Danville with Pittsylvania county for...
.