Oyster Burns
Encyclopedia
Thomas P. "Oyster" Burns (September 6, 1864 November 11, 1928) was a professional baseball
player whose career spanned 15 seasons, 11 of which were spent with the Major League Baseball
(MLB) Wilmington Quicksteps
(1884), Baltimore Orioles (1884–85, 1887–88), Brooklyn Bridegrooms
(1888–1895), and New York Giants
(1895). Burns, who predominately played as an outfielder
, also played as a shortstop
, second baseman
, third baseman
and as a pitcher
. Over his career, Burns compiled a career batting average
of .300 with 870 runs scored
, 1,392 hits
, 224 doubles
, 129 triples
, 65 home run
s, and 834 runs batted in (RBI) in 1,188 games played
. Although the majority of his career was spent in the major leagues, Burns also played in minor league baseball
. He made his MLB debut at the age of 19 and was listed as standing 5 in 8 in (172.72 cm) and weighing 183 pounds (83 kg).
Burns, nicknamed "Oyster" because he sold shellfish in the off-season, was described as a "loudmouth" and having "an irritating voice and personality". Nevertheless, Burns led the Bridegrooms to an American Association
championship in 1889 and a National League pennant in 1890. After retiring from baseball, Burns died on November 11, 1928 in Brooklyn, New York.
. His parents, Patrick and Mary Burns, were both Irish immigrants.
of the minor-league Interstate Association. On the year, Burns posted an earned run average
(ERA) of 2.30 over 20 games pitched, 15 of which were starts
. When he wasn't pitching, Burns played second and third base.
Burns began the 1884 season playing for the Wilmington Quicksteps, but left the team after they joined the Union Association
, and joined the Baltimore Orioles. Burns—the youngest player on the Orioles and the seventh youngest player in the American Association— batted .298. Despite playing in only 35 games on the season, Burns recorded a team-leading six home runs over 141 plate appearance
s. He continued his career with the Orioles in 1885, batting .231 with five home runs and 37 RBI, and pitching to a 7–4 win–loss record. His offensive struggles led him to be demoted to the Newark Domestics for the 1886 season, where he helped the Domestics win the Eastern League
pennant. By 1887, Burns had reentered the majors for the Orioles and became the team captain until he threw a baseball at an opposing pitcher following a groundout; he was later fined $
25 ($ in 2011). On the season, he recorded nine home runs—good for third in the American Association. Burns's 19 triples were enough to tie him with five others for the league lead, and his 140 games played were tied for the league lead with teammate Blondie Purcell
.
After playing in 79 games for Baltimore, Burns was transferred to the Brooklyn Bridegrooms by Harry Von der Horst
, the owner of both clubs. While he was playing for the Bridegrooms, the New York Clipper
described Burns as "the noisiest man that ever played on the Brooklyn team. His voice reminds one of a buzz-saw." Burns remained with the Bridegrooms for the 1889 season. He recorded team highs in on-base percentage, batting average, and home runs hit while the Bridegrooms, with a 89–48 record, became American Association champions. In the World Series
, the Bridegrooms played the New York Giants of the National League
. Burns hit a three-run home run to win the fourth game of the series, giving Brooklyn a 3–1 series lead. However, the Giants would take the World Series after winning five straight games.
In 1890, the Bridegrooms had moved to the National League. Burns, now 26, led the league in home runs (13) and RBI (128). He hit for the cycle
on August 1, 1890—becoming the first Bridegroom to do so. The team won the National League pennant, and faced the Louisville Colonels
in the 1890 World Series
. The series ended in a 3–3–1 tie: bad weather led to the cancellation of more games. After the 1891 season, Burns's 1892 RBI total was third in the league, and his hits, doubles, triples, and batting average marks were the second highest on the Brooklyn team, now named the Grooms. In 1893, between games of a doubleheader
, a teammate of Burns, Tom Daly
, was sleeping in center field when Burns stabbed Daly with a penknife
. Daly awoke and turned on the knife, leading to a severed tendon
which kept Daly out for two weeks. Burns' 1894 batting average (.355) was the highest of his career; his hit and run totals were also the second highest in his career. Burns continued to play for the club until 1895, when he played for the New York Giants
. In his final MLB year, Burns batted a combined .258 over 25 games.
After the 1895 season, Burns's contract was purchased by the minor-league Newark Colts. The Colts would win the Atlantic League division with a 82–61 record, two games above the Hartford Bluebirds. The next season, Burns served as a player-coach
for the Bluebirds, where he led the team in doubles and batting average. In his final managerial year, Burns coached Portland, Maine
of the New England League
.
in North Arlington, New Jersey
.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player whose career spanned 15 seasons, 11 of which were spent with the Major League Baseball
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...
(MLB) Wilmington Quicksteps
Wilmington Quicksteps
The Wilmington Quicksteps were an 1884 late season replacement team in the Union Association. They finished with a 2-16 record and were managed by Joe Simmons. The team played home games in Union Street Park in Wilmington, Delaware....
(1884), Baltimore Orioles (1884–85, 1887–88), Brooklyn Bridegrooms
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
(1888–1895), and New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
(1895). Burns, who predominately played as an outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
, also played as a shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
, second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
, third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
and as a pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. Over his career, Burns compiled a career batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
of .300 with 870 runs scored
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...
, 1,392 hits
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....
, 224 doubles
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....
, 129 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 65 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...
s, and 834 runs batted in (RBI) in 1,188 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
. Although the majority of his career was spent in the major leagues, Burns also played in minor league baseball
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...
. He made his MLB debut at the age of 19 and was listed as standing 5 in 8 in (172.72 cm) and weighing 183 pounds (83 kg).
Burns, nicknamed "Oyster" because he sold shellfish in the off-season, was described as a "loudmouth" and having "an irritating voice and personality". Nevertheless, Burns led the Bridegrooms to an American Association
American Association (19th century)
The American Association was a Major League Baseball league that existed for 10 seasons from to . During that time, it challenged the National League for dominance of professional baseball...
championship in 1889 and a National League pennant in 1890. After retiring from baseball, Burns died on November 11, 1928 in Brooklyn, New York.
Early life
Thomas P. Burns was born on September 6, 1864, in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
. His parents, Patrick and Mary Burns, were both Irish immigrants.
Professional career
In 1883, Burns began his professional baseball career as a pitcher with HarrisburgHarrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
of the minor-league Interstate Association. On the year, Burns posted an earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
(ERA) of 2.30 over 20 games pitched, 15 of which were starts
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
. When he wasn't pitching, Burns played second and third base.
Union Association
The Union Association was a league in Major League Baseball which lasted for only one season in 1884. St. Louis won the pennant and joined the National League the following season...
, and joined the Baltimore Orioles. Burns—the youngest player on the Orioles and the seventh youngest player in the American Association— batted .298. Despite playing in only 35 games on the season, Burns recorded a team-leading six home runs over 141 plate appearance
Plate appearance
In baseball statistics, a player is credited with a plate appearance each time he completes a turn batting. A player completes a turn batting when: He strikes out or is declared out before reaching first base; or He reaches first base safely or is awarded first base ; or He hits a fair ball which...
s. He continued his career with the Orioles in 1885, batting .231 with five home runs and 37 RBI, and pitching to a 7–4 win–loss record. His offensive struggles led him to be demoted to the Newark Domestics for the 1886 season, where he helped the Domestics win the Eastern League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
pennant. By 1887, Burns had reentered the majors for the Orioles and became the team captain until he threw a baseball at an opposing pitcher following a groundout; he was later fined $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
25 ($ in 2011). On the season, he recorded nine home runs—good for third in the American Association. Burns's 19 triples were enough to tie him with five others for the league lead, and his 140 games played were tied for the league lead with teammate Blondie Purcell
Blondie Purcell
William Aloysius "Blondie" Purcell , was an American Major League Baseball player born in Paterson, New Jersey. He played for a total of 12 seasons while playing for eight different teams in two leagues...
.
After playing in 79 games for Baltimore, Burns was transferred to the Brooklyn Bridegrooms by Harry Von der Horst
Harry Von der Horst
Harry Von der Horst was an executive in Major League Baseball and a former owner of the Baltimore Orioles and Brooklyn Superbas. He was one of the principal founders and owners of the old 19th century Baltimore Orioles ballclub and when the team was running out of steam he managed to engineer a...
, the owner of both clubs. While he was playing for the Bridegrooms, the New York Clipper
New York Clipper
The New York Clipper, also known as The Clipper, was a weekly entertainment newspaper published in New York City from 1853 to 1924. It covered many topics, including circuses, dance, music, the outdoors, sports, and theatre. It had a circulation of about 25,000. The publishers also produced the...
described Burns as "the noisiest man that ever played on the Brooklyn team. His voice reminds one of a buzz-saw." Burns remained with the Bridegrooms for the 1889 season. He recorded team highs in on-base percentage, batting average, and home runs hit while the Bridegrooms, with a 89–48 record, became American Association champions. In the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
, the Bridegrooms played the New York Giants of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
. Burns hit a three-run home run to win the fourth game of the series, giving Brooklyn a 3–1 series lead. However, the Giants would take the World Series after winning five straight games.
In 1890, the Bridegrooms had moved to the National League. Burns, now 26, led the league in home runs (13) and RBI (128). He hit for the cycle
Hitting for the cycle
In baseball, hitting for the cycle is the accomplishment of one batter hitting a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the same game. Collecting the hits in that order is known as a "natural cycle". Cycles are uncommon in Major League Baseball , occurring 293 times since the first by Curry...
on August 1, 1890—becoming the first Bridegroom to do so. The team won the National League pennant, and faced the Louisville Colonels
Louisville Colonels
The Louisville Colonels were a Major League Baseball team that played in the American Association throughout that league's ten-year existence from 1882 until 1891, first as the Louisville Eclipse and later as the Louisville Colonels , the latter name derived from the historic Kentucky colonels...
in the 1890 World Series
1890 World Series
The 1890 World Series was an end-of-the-year baseball playoff series between the National League champion Brooklyn Bridegrooms and the American Association champion Louisville Colonels....
. The series ended in a 3–3–1 tie: bad weather led to the cancellation of more games. After the 1891 season, Burns's 1892 RBI total was third in the league, and his hits, doubles, triples, and batting average marks were the second highest on the Brooklyn team, now named the Grooms. In 1893, between games of a doubleheader
Doubleheader (baseball)
A doubleheader is a set of two baseball games played between the same two teams on the same day in front of the same crowd. In addition, the term is often used unofficially to refer to a pair of games played by a team in a single day, but in front of different crowds and not in immediate...
, a teammate of Burns, Tom Daly
Tom Daly (infielder)
Thomas Peter Daly was a catcher and second baseman who played in the Major Leagues from 1887 to 1903...
, was sleeping in center field when Burns stabbed Daly with a penknife
Penknife
A penknife, or pen knife, is a small folding pocket knife, originally used for cutting or sharpening a quill to make a pen nib. Originally, penknives did not necessarily have folding blades, but resembled a scalpel or wood knife by having a short, fixed blade at the end of a long handle...
. Daly awoke and turned on the knife, leading to a severed tendon
Tendon
A tendon is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone and is capable of withstanding tension. Tendons are similar to ligaments and fasciae as they are all made of collagen except that ligaments join one bone to another bone, and fasciae connect muscles to other...
which kept Daly out for two weeks. Burns' 1894 batting average (.355) was the highest of his career; his hit and run totals were also the second highest in his career. Burns continued to play for the club until 1895, when he played for the New York Giants
History of the New York Giants (NL)
The history of the New York Giants, before the franchise moved to San Francisco, lasted from 1883 to 1957. It featured five of the franchise's six World Series wins and 17 of its 21 National League pennants...
. In his final MLB year, Burns batted a combined .258 over 25 games.
After the 1895 season, Burns's contract was purchased by the minor-league Newark Colts. The Colts would win the Atlantic League division with a 82–61 record, two games above the Hartford Bluebirds. The next season, Burns served as a player-coach
Player-coach
A player-coach, in sports, is a member of a sports team who simultaneously holds both playing and coaching duties. The term can be used to refer to both players who serve as head coaches, or as assistant coaches....
for the Bluebirds, where he led the team in doubles and batting average. In his final managerial year, Burns coached Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
of the New England League
New England League
The New England League was a mid-level league in American minor league baseball that played sporadically in five of the six New England states between 1886 and 1949. After 1901, it existed in the shadow of two Major League Baseball clubs in Boston and alongside stronger, higher-classification...
.
After baseball
After retiring from baseball, Burns lived in Brooklyn until his death on November 11, 1928. He was buried in Holy Cross CemeteryHoly Cross Cemetery, North Arlington
Holy Cross Cemetery is a cemetery located in North Arlington, New Jersey, United States. Since its establishment in 1915, it has interred over 250,000 individuals. The cemetery operates under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark...
in North Arlington, New Jersey
North Arlington, New Jersey
North Arlington is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 15,392...
.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball players with 100 triples
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases
- List of Major League Baseball home run champions
- List of Major League Baseball runs batted in champions
- List of Major League Baseball triples champions