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 Induction
Information
Elected to Hall of Fame by Veterans Committee in 1946, Player
Born: December 4, 1868, in Wheeling, West Virginia
Died: May 27, 1953, in Worcester, Massachusetts
ML Debut: 4/22/1890
Primary Position: Left Fielder
Bats: L Throws: L
Played For: New York Giants (1890), Cleveland Spiders
(1891-1898), St. Louis Perfectos, Cardinals (1899-1901), St. Louis
Browns (1902-1904), Boston Red Sox (1905)
Bio
Displaying a serious demeanor which earned him the nickname “Crab,”
Jesse Burkett compiled a .342 lifetime average, topping the .400
mark three times. Playing in over 2,000 games in a career that
spanned the 19th and 20th centuries, Burkett had 200-plus hits
during six seasons, and totaled 2,872 hits, second only to Cap Anson
during this period. An adept bunter, he claimed he could have bunted
for a .400 average following the rules of 19th century baseball.
Quote
"As a pitcher Burkett used to run a race with himself in passes
and whiffs. He was the Lefty Grove of the old Atlantic Association
of 1889."
— Ernest Lanigan
Did You Know... that Jesse Burkett, best known for his
prowess with the bat, began his pro baseball career as a pitcher,
once winning 30 games with Worcester of the minor league Atlantic
Association? |
