Al Burch
Born: 10/7/1883 in Albany, NY, USA
Died: 10/5/1926 in Brooklyn, NY, USA
MLB Debut: 1906-06-19 | Final Game: 1911-07-30
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'8" | Weight: 160 lbs
Full name: Albert William Burch
Biography
Al Burch was a professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from 1906 to 1911. Born in 1883, Burch established himself as a versatile position player during a period characterized by the transition from the deadball era to the livelier style of play that would emerge in the 1920s. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 611 games, where he recorded 554 hits, 4 home runs, and 103 RBIs, finishing with a batting average of .254. Burch was known for his speed on the bases, evidenced by his 96 stolen bases, which reflected the aggressive base-running tactics that were prevalent in his time.
Burch's career unfolded during an era when baseball was evolving, both in terms of playing style and the growing popularity of the sport among American audiences. While not a superstar, he contributed to his teams with consistent performances and solid defensive skills. His ability to steal bases made him a valuable asset on the field, as he often set the table for his teammates. Burch's playing style and contributions to the game exemplified the gritty determination of players during the early 20th century, leaving a lasting impact on the teams he represented before his retirement on July 30, 1911.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 611 | 2185 | 254 | 554 | 48 | 20 | 4 | 103 | 96 | 186 | 286 | 0.254 | 0.312 | 0.299 | 0.612 | -493.2 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1906 | STL | NL | 91 | 335 | 40 | 89 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 15 | 37 | 58 | 0.266 | 193.8 |
| 1907 | BRO | NL | 40 | 120 | 12 | 35 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 5 | 11 | 22 | 0.292 | 245.5 |
| 1907 | STL | NL | 48 | 154 | 18 | 35 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 34 | 0.227 | 245.5 |
| 1908 | BRO | NL | 123 | 456 | 45 | 111 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 15 | 33 | 61 | 0.243 | -190.7 |
| 1909 | BRO | NL | 152 | 601 | 80 | 163 | 20 | 6 | 1 | 30 | 38 | 51 | 59 | 0.271 | 739.0 |
| 1910 | BRO | NL | 103 | 352 | 41 | 83 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 20 | 13 | 22 | 30 | 0.236 | -807.3 |
| 1911 | BRO | NL | 54 | 167 | 18 | 38 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 15 | 22 | 0.228 | -528.2 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 14 | 13 | 137 | 7 | 4 | 10 |
| 2B | 4 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| OF | 555 | 508 | 1088 | 98 | 62 | 29 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1906 | SLN | OF | 91 | 90 | 155 | 15 | 12 | 6 |
| 1907 | BRO | 2B | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 1907 | BRO | OF | 36 | 34 | 64 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1907 | SLN | OF | 48 | 48 | 85 | 10 | 8 | 4 |
| 1908 | BRO | OF | 116 | 116 | 242 | 24 | 8 | 6 |
| 1909 | BRO | 1B | 1 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1909 | BRO | OF | 151 | 152 | 320 | 23 | 16 | 4 |
| 1910 | BRO | 1B | 13 | 12 | 122 | 7 | 4 | 9 |
| 1910 | BRO | OF | 70 | 68 | 124 | 11 | 6 | 6 |
| 1911 | BRO | 2B | 3 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 1911 | BRO | OF | 43 | 0 | 98 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 14 |
| Second Base | 4 |
| Left Field | 118 |
| Center Field | 325 |
| Right Field | 120 |