Jamie Burke
Encyclopedia
James Eugene Burke is a Major League Baseball
catcher
, who is currently a free agent. He attended Oregon State University
, where along with baseball he also played for the school's football team
playing the position of kicker
.
in the 9th round of the amateur draft. He was signed as a free agent
by the Chicago White Sox
on January 27, .
for the White Sox from 2003–.
signed him to a minor league
deal near the end of the 2005 season. He did not appear in an MLB game during the season.
, he beat out incumbent René Rivera
for the backup catcher job going into Opening Day. On September 30, 2007, on the last day of the regular season, Burke hit his first career home run
against A. J. Murray
of the Texas Rangers.
On July 6, , Burke was pressed into service on the pitcher's mound in the 15th inning of a game against Detroit
when the Mariners ran out of pitchers, as a result he was credited with the loss. However, Burke still pitched well, giving up only one hit
and a run
. The run scored after a lead off double
, wild pitch
, and sacrifice fly
. Burke had previously made four pitching appearances in the minor leagues.
Following the 2008 season, Burke was non-tendered by the Mariners, making him a free agent. He was re-signed by the Mariners to a minor league contract on December 23, saying this about the situation,
Burke was added to the active roster on April 16, 2009, following an injury to starting catcher Kenji Johjima
. When Johjima returned from the disabled list on May 1, Burke was outrighted back to Tacoma; after clearing waivers, he accepted the assignment.
On June 7, he was again called up from Triple A Tacoma after the Mariners designated pitcher Denny Stark
for assignment. Burke went 2-5, with a Home Run, and a base hit, in a winning effort.
On June 26, Kenji Johjima was activated from the disabled list. To make room for Johjima on the 25-man roster, the Mariners designated Jamie Burke for assignment. Seattle assigned him to Tacoma and he accepted his assignment.
and backup catcher Carlos Maldonado, he was called up on June 4, and got into his first game two days later. However, 4 days later, he was designated for assignment after making only one appearance to make way for Iván Rodríguez
who was recalled from his rehab assignment in the minors.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
, who is currently a free agent. He attended Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
, where along with baseball he also played for the school's football team
Oregon State Beavers football
The Oregon State Beavers football team represents Oregon State University in NCAA Division I-A college football. The team first fielded an organized football team in 1893 and is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. The head coach is Mike Riley, with Danny Langsdorf as the offensive...
playing the position of kicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
.
Minor League Journeyman, 1993 to 2003
Burke was originally drafted by the California AngelsLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
in the 9th round of the amateur draft. He was signed as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
by the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
on January 27, .
Chicago White Sox
He played 73 games in the Major LeaguesMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
for the White Sox from 2003–.
Texas Rangers, return to the minors
The Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
signed him to a minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
deal near the end of the 2005 season. He did not appear in an MLB game during the season.
A chance with the Mariners
As a non-roster invitee in the Mariners' camp during spring trainingSpring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, he beat out incumbent René Rivera
René Rivera
René Rivera is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Minnesota Twins. He is currently assigned to the AAA Rochester Red Wings.-Career:...
for the backup catcher job going into Opening Day. On September 30, 2007, on the last day of the regular season, Burke hit his first career home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
against A. J. Murray
A. J. Murray (baseball)
Arlington John "A. J." Murray is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is presently a free agent.On July 28, 2005, he combined with Steve Karsay and Scott Feldman for a perfect game, as the RoughRiders defeated the Corpus Christi Hooks 3–0...
of the Texas Rangers.
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
when the Mariners ran out of pitchers, as a result he was credited with the loss. However, Burke still pitched well, giving up only one hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and a run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
. The run scored after a lead off double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, wild pitch
Wild pitch
In baseball, a wild pitch is charged against a pitcher when his pitch is too high, too short, or too wide of home plate for the catcher to control with ordinary effort, thereby allowing a baserunner, perhaps even the batter-runner on strike three or ball four, to advance.A wild pitch usually...
, and sacrifice fly
Sacrifice fly
In baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....
. Burke had previously made four pitching appearances in the minor leagues.
Following the 2008 season, Burke was non-tendered by the Mariners, making him a free agent. He was re-signed by the Mariners to a minor league contract on December 23, saying this about the situation,
"The best gift would have been a major-league deal, but I'm pretty happy about this. This is a place I wanted to be. It's a situation I like and one that I think could work out very well."
Burke was added to the active roster on April 16, 2009, following an injury to starting catcher Kenji Johjima
Kenji Johjima
is a Japanese catcher who is currently playing for the Hanshin Tigers. He played in Major League Baseball for four years with the Seattle Mariners in the American League....
. When Johjima returned from the disabled list on May 1, Burke was outrighted back to Tacoma; after clearing waivers, he accepted the assignment.
On June 7, he was again called up from Triple A Tacoma after the Mariners designated pitcher Denny Stark
Denny Stark
Dennis James Stark is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent. He is an alumnus of the University of Toledo.-Seattle Mariners:...
for assignment. Burke went 2-5, with a Home Run, and a base hit, in a winning effort.
On June 26, Kenji Johjima was activated from the disabled list. To make room for Johjima on the 25-man roster, the Mariners designated Jamie Burke for assignment. Seattle assigned him to Tacoma and he accepted his assignment.
Washington Nationals
On September 17, Burke was traded to the Washington Nationals for cash considerations, Burke was added to the Nats active roster as a September call-up. The following year, his knee was injured, and he didn't play his first game at the Nationals AAA affiliate Syracuse until May 25. But after injuries to starter Ivan RodriguezIván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher...
and backup catcher Carlos Maldonado, he was called up on June 4, and got into his first game two days later. However, 4 days later, he was designated for assignment after making only one appearance to make way for Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher...
who was recalled from his rehab assignment in the minors.