WHY I THINK GEORGE BURNS SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

WHY I THINK GEORGE BURNS SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

By- Damien 

Now before I begin, I must acknowledge that, from 1914 through 1925, there were two MLB players who played under the name George Burns. George Henry Burns was a first baseman, mostly in the AL, while George Joseph Burns, who I am writing about, was a NL outfielder. Both were quite good, and it is easy to get them confused. In fact, George Henry Burns thought he should be in Cooperstown, but I, quite frankly, do not. 

George Joseph Burns was a model of what a leadoff hitter should play like. He hit for high average, walked a lot, and stole a lot of bases, including home plate 28 times. These skills helped him to lead the NL in runs scored a record five times. George Burns started his career with the New York Giants in 1911, going 1-for-17 in six games. Manager John McGraw, who had converted him from a catcher to an outfielder, had faith in him and by 1913 he was their leadoff hitter. In 1914, he set the Giants’ single season stolen base record (62) and batted .303, earning the respect of all his teammates. In time, he also built up quite a defensive reputation, and he was proclaimed the greatest sunfielder in history (best at playing the sun). A catalyst at the plate, Burns led the Giants to three pennants, including in 1921, when they beat Ruth’s Yankees in the World Series. Burns batted .333 as the Giants dispatched the Bronx Bombers in eight games, the last eight game World Series in history. After the season, the Giants decided to trade Burns to the Reds with $150,000 in exchange for Heinie Groh, a star third baseman who they had given up on years before. Burns gave the Reds two fine seasons, but in 1924 he showed signs of slowing, and at 34 the Reds decided to get rid of him. He played one more season in 1925, batting .292 for the Philadelphia A’s, before he retired. George Burns was a talented hitter, a daring base thief, a marvelous outfielder, and a winning ballplayer. Always regarded as a team player, Burns sparked the Giants to three pennants and victory in one of the most exciting World Series in history. He really should be in the Hall of Fame today. 

LIFETIME STATISTICS 

Games career: 1,853 season high: 156 in 1922 led NL: 156 in 1922, 154 in 1923 

At Bats career: 7,241 season high: 631 in 1920 and 1922 led NL: 622 in 1915, 623 in 1916 

Hits career: 2,077 season high: 181 in 1920 and 1921 

Doubles career: 362 season high: 37 in 1913 

Triples career: 108 season high: 14 in 1915 

Home Runs career: 41 season high: 6 in 1920 

Runs career: 1,188 season high: 115 in 1920 led NL: 100 in 1914, 105 in 1916, 103 in 1917, 86 in 1919, 115 in 1920 

Runs Batted In career: 611 season high: 61 in 1921 

Stolen Bases career: 383 season high: 62 in 1914 led NL: 62 in 1914, 40 in 1919 

Walks career: 872 season high: 101 in 1923 led NL: 75 in 1917, 82 in 1919, 76 in 1920, 80 in 1921, 101 in 1923 

Strikeouts career: 565 season high: 74 in 1913 led NL: 74 in 1913 

Batting Average career: .287 season high: .303 in 1914 and 1919 

On Base Percentage career: .366 season high: .403 in 1914 led NL: .396 in 1919 

Slugging Percentage career: .384 season high: .417 in 1914 

Total Bases career: 2,778 season high: 252 in 1920 

Sacrifice Hits career: 112 season high: 14 in 1914 

Fielding Percentage career: .970 season high: .990 in 1919 led NL LF: .990 in 1919, .983 in 1920 led NL OF: .990 in 1919 

Double Plays career: 42 season high: 5 in 1914 and 1920 led NL LF: 5 in 1920 

Putouts career: 3,918 season high: 386 in 1922 led NL LF: 317 in 1917, 339 in 1920 

Assists career: 198 season high: 22 in 1913 led NL LF: 18 in 1916 

DID YOU KNOW? 

-nicknamed “Silent George” 

-the leftfield bleachers in the Polo Grounds were called Burnsville during his time with the Giants 

-went 5-for-5 and hit for the cycle on September 17, 1920, the same day Bobby Veach hit for the cycle 

-finished fourth in the NL MVP Award voting in 1914 and 24th in 1913 

-led the NL five times in plate appearances and three times in times on base 

-led NL outfielders in games six times and led NL leftfielders four times 

-hit two home runs each off of Wilbur Cooper and Babe Adams, and one off of Bill Doak 

-among MLB leftfielders, ranks 44th in career games, tenth in double plays, 36th in putouts, and 12th in assists 

-also played one game at third base, 15 as a pinch hitter, and four as a pinch runner 

Before we go, I must acknowledge how interesting a man and athlete George Burns truly was. Although he stood just 5’7” and weighed only 160 pounds, he was an excellent boxer before he made baseball a profession. Burns was also a top notch wrestler who even challenged Jim Thorpe to a few matches before manager McGraw forbade him. And during his playing days, this skinny little leadoff hitter swung a 42 inch, 52 ounce bat.