Ellis Burks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ellis Burks |
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Ellis Burks in 2007
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: September 11, 1964 Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 30, 1987, for the Boston Red Sox | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| October 2, 2004, for the Boston Red Sox | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .291 | ||
| Hits | 2,107 | ||
| Home runs | 352 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,206 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Ellis Rena Burks (born September 11, 1964) is a former American outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for 18 seasons, from 1987 to 2004. Ellis Burks was a talented player known for his strong hitting and fielding.
He played for several teams, including the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants, and Cleveland Indians. Burks was chosen for the MLB All-Star Game twice. He also won a Gold Glove Award for his excellent defense and two Silver Slugger Awards for his hitting. He is also a member of the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame.
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Early Life and Baseball Start
Ellis Burks was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. He went to Everman High School. At first, baseball scouts didn't notice him much. He only got a scholarship offer from Ranger Junior College. This happened after he showed his skills at a special event at Arlington Stadium.
Baseball Career Highlights
The Boston Red Sox picked Ellis Burks in the first round of the 1983 Major League Baseball draft. He started playing in the major leagues in 1987. He was 22 years old and played as a regular center fielder. He became only the third player in Red Sox history to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in one season. He was named to the "All-Rookie" teams by Baseball Digest and Topps.
Ellis Burks was great at defense. He could cover a lot of ground, catch the ball well, and had a powerful arm. However, he often got injured. In 1989, he had shoulder surgery. This was the first of many injuries he faced. In 1990, he hit two home runs in the same inning of a game. He was the second Red Sox player ever to do this.
Moving to New Teams
After six seasons with the Red Sox, Burks left as a free agent. He signed with the Chicago White Sox in 1993. He had a good season and stayed healthy. He helped the White Sox by playing well as a right fielder. In the playoffs, he had a batting average of .304.
After that season, he signed a five-year contract with the Colorado Rockies. This was from 1994 to 1998. On April 17, 1994, Burks hit a game-winning home run in the 10th inning. This was the only "walk-off" home run ever hit at Mile High Stadium. A walk-off home run ends the game immediately. In July 1995, he got his 1,000th career hit. It was a triple against the Expos.
Best Season with the Rockies
In 1996, Ellis Burks had his best season ever. He led the National League in several categories. These included runs (142), slugging average (.639), and total bases (392). He was also second in hits (211) and doubles (45). He hit 40 home runs and had 128 RBI. His .344 batting average was second highest in the league.
Burks also stole 32 bases that season. This made him a member of the exclusive 30–30 club (30 home runs and 30 stolen bases). Another Rockies player, Dante Bichette, also achieved this that year. It was only the second time two players from the same team did this. Burks is still among the top players in many offensive records for the Rockies.
While with the Rockies, Burks was part of a famous group called the "Blake Street Bombers." This group included Andrés Galarraga, Bichette, Larry Walker, and Vinny Castilla. They were a powerful hitting team. They helped the Rockies lead the National League in home runs from 1995 to 1997.
Later Career and Retirement
In the middle of the 1998 season, Burks was traded to the San Francisco Giants. In 2000, he had a great season, hitting .344 with 24 home runs and 96 RBI. He played only 122 games that year. He won the 2000 Willie Mac Award for his great spirit and leadership.
After that season, the Cleveland Indians signed Burks. He became a designated hitter (DH) for them. He continued to hit well. In 2001, he hit .280 with 28 home runs. In 2002, he hit .301 with 32 home runs. In 2003, he hurt his wrist during spring training. He kept playing for 55 games, but the injury affected his hitting. He had surgery on his elbow and missed the rest of the season.
The Indians did not offer him a new contract for 2004. So, he returned to the Boston Red Sox. He played 11 games that year. He did not make the postseason roster. However, the Red Sox won the World Series that year. So, Ellis Burks retired with a World Series ring from the team where he started his career.
Over his 18-year career, Burks had a .291 batting average. He hit 352 home runs and had 1,206 RBI. He also had 2,107 hits, 402 doubles, and 181 stolen bases. He played 2,000 games. As a fielder, he had a .983 fielding percentage playing in all three outfield spots.
After Playing Baseball
After the 2005 season, Ellis Burks joined the Cleveland Indians' front office. He worked as a special assistant to the general manager.
In 2021, Burks started working for NESN. He became a studio analyst and sometimes a commentator for Red Sox games.
Personal Life
Ellis Burks lives in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. His son, Chris, also played baseball for the San Francisco Giants organization. Ellis also has three daughters named Carissa, Elisha, and Breanna. He met his wife, Dori, in Connecticut in 1985.
He is a cousin of another Major League outfielder, Roosevelt Brown.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders
- List of athletes on Wheaties boxes
- List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders
- 30–30 club
- List of Major League Baseball annual runs scored leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders
