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Rick Burleson

Positions: Shortstop and Second Baseman
Bats: Right  •  Throws: Right
5-10, 165lb (178cm, 74kg)
Born: April 29, 1951  in Lynwood, CA
Draft: Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 8th round of the 1969 MLB June Amateur Draft from Warren HS (Downey, CA) and the Boston Red Sox in the 1st round (5th) of the 1970 MLB January Draft-Secondary Phase from Warren HS (Downey, CA).
High School: Warren HS (Downey, CA)
Debut: May 4, 1974 ( 13,498th in major league history)
vs. TEX 2 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game: July 8, 1987
vs. CHW 0 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Full Name: Richard Paul Burleson
Nicknames: Rooster
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject

Notable Events and Chronology 

SearchSearch Events, Dates and More Date (Newest)Title (A - Z)

June 25, 1973

Mario GuerreroIs hit by a Mike strangler pitch

October 12, 1975

Luis Tiant pitching to Pete Rose in the 1975 World Series. Tiant wins the opening game 6-0.

March 16, 1978

high-priced free agent Andy Messersmith separates his shoulder in an exhibition game for the New York Yankees

July 31, 1978

After scoring just five runs in their last six games, the Red Sox break out with a 9 – 2 win over the visiting White Sox. It is just the third win for Boston in its last 13 games. Dennis Eckersley (12-4) earns the win, scattering six hits, while Rick Burleson has three hits including a bases-loaded double.

August 3, 1978

The Red Sox score two runs in the 17th to win, 7 – 5, on RBIs by Rick Burleson and Jim Rice. Ex-Yankee Mike Torrez then stops New York, 8 – 1, in a rain-shortened game.

August 10, 1978

The Red Sox trip the Indians, 6 – 5, in 13 innings as Butch Hobson scores the tying run on a bizarre play: he lofts a pop fly behind second base and races around to second as 2B Duane Kuiper loses the ball in the sun. Kuiper picks up the ball but bumps into 1B Andre Thornton and the ball rolls towards first base and C Bo Diaz. With Hobson motoring towards third base, Diaz overthrows the base. Hobson, having slid into third, picks himself up and races home. The throw from the outfield to Diaz is in time, but he can’t get the ball out of his glove and a sliding Hobson is home free. A George Scott double and Rick Burleson single then win the game. Bob Stanley (8-1) picks up the victory.

December 10, 1980

The Red Sox trade SS Rick Burleson and 3B Butch Hobson to the Angels for 3B Carney Lansford, CF Rick Miller, and P Mark Clear.

March 13, 1981

California Angels sign free agent Rick Burleson to a six-year contract worth $4.2 million

November 2, 2021

Peter Gammons on Jerry Remy

Biography

Rick Burleson

Burleson sparked the Red Sox with his aggressive play at shortstop and as a lead-off hitter. He overcame a three-error debut in 1974 to become one of Boston’s favorite players, relying on a tremendous arm to make up for anything he lacked in range. A Gold Glove winner in 1979, he set the ML record for double plays by a shortstop in 1980 with 147. Traded to the Angels in December of 1980, he injured the rotator cuff of his throwing arm in 1982, then retore it in ’84. After a year off, he was voted AL Comeback Player of the Year in 1986, when he hit .284 in 93 games for the Angels.

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