Rick Burleson

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Richard Paul Burleson (born April 29, 1951 in Lynwood, California), nicknamed "Rooster", is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball. In a 13-year career, Burleson played for the Boston Red Sox (1974-80), California Angels (1981-84, 1986) and Baltimore Orioles (1987). He batted and threw right-handed.

Rick Burleson was a scrappy Red Sox shortstop of the 1970's. Rick "Rooster" Burleson was a Red Sox first round draft pick in 1970. He made his major league debut with the Red Sox on May 4, 1974. Eventually he would end up being considered one of the best defensive shortshops in the history of the Boston Red Sox, playing in 1031 games (24th best), scoring 514 runs and amassing 1114 (19th best).

Rooster was an intense hard working player who won the hearts of Red Sox Nation. He was the starting shortstop during the magical 1975 season. Burleson hit over .290 in both 1976 and 1977, and was 2nd to Jim Rice among team hit leaders in 1977 with 194 base hits. In 1979 Burleson won a Gold Glove. From 1975 to 1980 Rooster played in at least 145 games and got at least 140 hits each season. Burleson helped turn a record setting 147 double plays in 1980.

A strong-armed shortstop, Burleson turned more double plays than any Red Sox shortstop in history and still holds the major league single season record for most double plays (147 in 1980). He was selected an All-Star in four seasons and a Gold Glove Award winner in 1979.

Traded to the Angels before the 1981 season, he injured his throwing arm a year later; he played only 51 games over the next three seasons, and was out for the entire 1985 season. He finished his career with the Orioles in 1987.

Burleson was a .274 hitter with 50 home runs and 449 RBI in 1,031 games. After retiring, he managed in the minors for the Red Sox.

In 2002, Burleson was selected for the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame.

Since the 1997 season, Burleson has been managing in the Minor Leagues spending time at each level. Organizations include: Lancaster Jet Hawks, the California League affiliate formerly of the Seattle Mariners. San Bernardino Stampede, (now Inland Empire 66ers) the California League affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. San Antonio Missions, the Texas League affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Louisville Bats, the International League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

As of 2006, Burleson finished his 5th year as manager of the Billings Mustangs, the Pioneer League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. It was mentioned in the Billings Gazette soon after the season that he didn't plan on returning to managing and was interested in a minor league instructing job within the Reds organization.

In 2007, Burleson became a Minor League Roving Instructor for the Cincinnati Reds and just signed on to be the Hitting Instructor for the Visalia Oaks the Class A Minor League Affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks for the 2008 season.

[edit] Highlights

• 4-time All-Star (1977-79, 1981)
• Voted by fans as the starting shortstop in the 1977 All-Star game
• Gold Glove Award (1979)
• Silver Slugger Award (1981)
• Set a major league season record for double plays by a shortstop (1980)
• Set a major league record for assists in a game (15, 20 innings, in April 14, 1982)
• Elected into Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame (2002)

[edit] See also

• List of AL Silver Slugger Winners at Shortstop
• List of Boston Red Sox awards

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
• Baseball Library (profile)