Les Burke
Born: 12/18/1902 in Lynn, MA, USA
Died: 5/6/1975 in Danvers, MA, USA
MLB Debut: 1923-05-02 | Final Game: 1926-09-15
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'9" | Weight: 168 lbs
Full name: Leslie Kingston Burke
Biography
Les Burke was a professional baseball player born in 1902, who played in the Major Leagues from 1923 until 1926. Primarily serving as a position player, Burke appeared in a total of 194 games during his career. He achieved a batting average of .259, recording 131 hits and driving in 47 runs, although he did not hit any home runs throughout his time in the league. Known for his speed on the bases, he successfully stole 7 bases, demonstrating a level of agility that was appreciated in the game during the early 20th century.
Burke’s playing career unfolded during a transformative period in baseball, which saw the transition from the deadball era to a more offensively driven style of play. While he did not achieve the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries, his contributions as a solid role player reflected the depth and talent present in the league at the time. After retiring from professional play on September 15, 1926, Burke left behind a legacy as a dedicated athlete who played a crucial supporting role on the teams he was part of.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 194 | 506 | 73 | 131 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 47 | 7 | 46 | 32 | 0.259 | 0.327 | 0.320 | 0.647 | -1078.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1923 | DET | AL | 7 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.100 | 0.0 |
| 1924 | DET | AL | 72 | 241 | 30 | 61 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 22 | 20 | 0.253 | -556.9 |
| 1925 | DET | AL | 77 | 180 | 32 | 52 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 24 | 4 | 17 | 8 | 0.289 | -203.8 |
| 1926 | DET | AL | 38 | 75 | 9 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 0.227 | -317.2 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 126 | 0 | 252 | 337 | 26 | 65 |
| 3B | 9 | 0 | 8 | 17 | 4 | 0 |
| SS | 7 | 0 | 7 | 15 | 2 | 2 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1923 | DET | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1923 | DET | 3B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 1924 | DET | 2B | 58 | 0 | 125 | 167 | 13 | 30 |
| 1924 | DET | SS | 6 | 0 | 6 | 15 | 2 | 2 |
| 1925 | DET | 2B | 52 | 0 | 100 | 130 | 9 | 27 |
| 1926 | DET | 2B | 15 | 0 | 27 | 38 | 4 | 8 |
| 1926 | DET | 3B | 7 | 0 | 7 | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| 1926 | DET | SS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 126 |
| Third Base | 9 |
| Shortstop | 8 |