Bill Burich
Encyclopedia
William Max Burich is a former infielder
in Major League Baseball
, playing mainly as a shortstop
for the Philadelphia Phillies
during the and seasons. Listed at 6' 0", 180 lb., he batted and threw right-handed.
A native of Calumet, Michigan
, Burich was one of many major leaguers who saw his baseball career interrupted by a military stint during World War II
. In 1942 he appeared in 25 games as a backup infielder for Pinky May
, Bobby Bragan
and Danny Murtaugh
. He enlisted in the United States Army
in 1943, serving for three and half years before rejoining the Phiullies in the 1946 midseason.
In a two-season career, Burich was .284 hitter (23-for-81) in 27 games with four runs
and seven RBI
in 27 games, including one double
, two stolen base
s, and a .333 on-base percentage.
Following his brief stint in major leagues, Burich resumed his playing career in the minors
and also managed
the 1948 Nazareth Barons of the North Atlantic League
.
Burich died on December 25, 2009 in Apple Valley, California
.
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
in 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...
, playing mainly 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...
for the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
during the and seasons. Listed at 6' 0", 180 lb., he batted and threw right-handed.
A native of Calumet, Michigan
Calumet, Michigan
Calumet is a village in Calumet Township, Houghton County, in the U.S. state of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, that was once at the center of the mining industry of the Upper Peninsula. Also known as Red Jacket, the village includes the Calumet Downtown Historic District, listed on the National...
, Burich was one of many major leaguers who saw his baseball career interrupted by a military stint during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In 1942 he appeared in 25 games as a backup infielder for Pinky May
Pinky May
Merrill Glend "Pinky" May , is a former professional baseball player who played third base in the Major Leagues from 1939-1943. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies. After his playing days ended May served in the military during World War II from 1944 to 1945...
, Bobby Bragan
Bobby Bragan
Robert Randall Bragan was a shortstop, catcher, manager, and coach in American Major League Baseball. He also was an influential executive in minor league baseball...
and Danny Murtaugh
Danny Murtaugh
Daniel Edward Murtaugh was an American second baseman, manager, front-office executive and coach in Major League Baseball best known for his 29-year association with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a player and manager...
. He enlisted in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in 1943, serving for three and half years before rejoining the Phiullies in the 1946 midseason.
In a two-season career, Burich was .284 hitter (23-for-81) in 27 games with four runs
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...
and seven RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
in 27 games, including one 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....
, two stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s, and a .333 on-base percentage.
Following his brief stint in major leagues, Burich resumed his playing career in the minors
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...
and also managed
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
the 1948 Nazareth Barons of the North Atlantic League
North Atlantic League
The North Atlantic League was the name of two minor baseball leagues. The first was a Class D affiliated system that operated from 1946 until 1950, and the second was an independent minor league that played from 1995 until 1996...
.
Burich died on December 25, 2009 in Apple Valley, California
Apple Valley, California
-Climate:*On average, the warmest month is July.*The highest recorded temperature was in 2002.*On average, the coolest month is December.*The lowest recorded temperature was in 1949.*The most precipitation on average occurs in February.-History:...
.