Leo Burke, baseball player, 1958-1965

Leo Burke

Born: 5/6/1934 in Hagerstown, MD, USA

Died: 10/13/2023 in Riner, VA, USA

MLB Debut: 1958-09-07 | Final Game: 1965-05-26

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 185 lbs

Full name: Leo Patrick Burke

Biography

Leo Burke was a professional baseball player born in 1934, whose career spanned from 1958 to 1965. Primarily serving as a position player, Burke appeared in 165 games during his time in Major League Baseball. He recorded 72 hits, 9 home runs, and 45 runs batted in, finishing his career with a batting average of .239. Notably, Burke did not register any stolen bases throughout his time in the league, reflecting a playing style that prioritized power and contact over speed on the bases. Burke's career unfolded during a transitional era in baseball, as the sport was beginning to evolve from the traditional styles of play to a more dynamic approach characterized by power hitting. Although he may not have been a household name, his contributions as a utility player added depth to the rosters he played for. His tenure in the game was marked by the challenge of standing out amidst a generation of players who were increasingly focused on offensive production, yet he remained a respected figure among his peers until his retirement on May 26, 1965.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
165 301 33 72 7 2 9 45 0 21 79 0.239 0.294 0.365 0.660 -216.0

Season-by-Season Batting

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
1B 6 4 44 3 1 2
2B 17 10 31 34 6 6
3B 16 10 12 19 6 1
C 3 0 3 0 0 0
OF 45 30 63 1 1 1
SS 1 0 0 1 0 1

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Catcher 3
First Base 6
Second Base 17
Third Base 16
Shortstop 1
Left Field 7
Center Field 1
Right Field 37

College History

School Name City State Years Attended
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg VA 1954, 1955, 1956