Dick Burrus
Encyclopedia
Maurice Lennon "Dick" Burrus (born January 29, 1898 in Hatteras, North Carolina
died February 2, 1972, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina
) was a professional baseball player.
's Outer Banks
, where his family had lived for generations, to sea captain Dozier Burrus and Achsah Williams. When he was eleven, the family moved to Elizabeth City so that he could further his education. It was at Elizabeth City High School that Burrus was first introduced to baseball, playing pitcher and catcher.
and catcher for the school team. On the recommendation of one of his teachers, Burrus finished his high school education at Oak Ridge Academy, where he was eventually named to the school's All-Time Baseball Hall of Fame.
Upon his graduation from the Academy, Burrus studied textile engineering at North Carolina State College
. His education was partially funded by athletic scholarships, with the remainder paid from the proceeds of his summer and weekend jobs in construction and at the local iron works and dry docks. Burrus interrupted his education for two years to join the United States Army
, serving at Camp Gordon in Georgia
. He returned to NC State to letter in three sports.
as a first baseman for the Columbia Comers, and was paid $3000. Two months later, he was signed by Connie Mack
to play for the Philadelphia Athletics. Because of inconsistent fielding, Burrus was sent to Columbus
in the American Association
, before being sold to Atlanta
, where he helped win the Southern Association
pennant.
In 1925, Burrus returned to the majors, playing for the Boston Braves
. That season he batted an excellent .340 and led the National League First Basemen in fielding, with a 990 percentage in 151 games.
Later that year, Burrus suffered a hernia and was never able to play at the same level. His contract was sold to the Indianapolis Indians
for $10,000. He helped that team win the AA pennant. He later played for the Houston Buffaloes
, and in 1930 was released for good by Atlanta.
During his best years, his salary only reached as high as $9000.
. He served as a county commissioner, and worked as a fish buyer and Texaco
distributor until his retirement in 1962. He then moved to Currituck County, North Carolina
to live near a hospital.
Burrus died of lung cancer in 1972, leaving behind his widow and four children, including daughters Dixie and Mary
, and nine grandchildren.
Hatteras, North Carolina
Hatteras is an unincorporated community in Dare County, North Carolina, United States, on the Outer Banks island of Hatteras. North Carolina Highway 12 passes through the community linking it to Frisco and Ocracoke . It is south of the famous Cape Hatteras and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton...
died February 2, 1972, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Elizabeth City is a city in Pasquotank County and Camden County in the State of North Carolina. With a population of 18,683 at the 2010 census, Elizabeth City is the county seat of Pasquotank County....
) was a professional baseball player.
Early years
Burrus was born in North CarolinaNorth Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
's Outer Banks
Outer Banks
The Outer Banks is a 200-mile long string of narrow barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, beginning in the southeastern corner of Virginia Beach on the east coast of the United States....
, where his family had lived for generations, to sea captain Dozier Burrus and Achsah Williams. When he was eleven, the family moved to Elizabeth City so that he could further his education. It was at Elizabeth City High School that Burrus was first introduced to baseball, playing pitcher and catcher.
and catcher for the school team. On the recommendation of one of his teachers, Burrus finished his high school education at Oak Ridge Academy, where he was eventually named to the school's All-Time Baseball Hall of Fame.
Upon his graduation from the Academy, Burrus studied textile engineering at North Carolina State College
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
. His education was partially funded by athletic scholarships, with the remainder paid from the proceeds of his summer and weekend jobs in construction and at the local iron works and dry docks. Burrus interrupted his education for two years to join 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...
, serving at Camp Gordon in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. He returned to NC State to letter in three sports.
Baseball career
In 1919, Burrus left college to begin his professional baseball career. He joined the minor league South Atlantic LeagueSouthern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
as a first baseman for the Columbia Comers, and was paid $3000. Two months later, he was signed by Connie Mack
Connie Mack
Connie Mack may refer to:* Connie Mack I , Hall of Fame baseball manager, player, owner* Connie Mack III , U.S. Representative , U.S. Senator from Florida * Connie Mack IV , U.S...
to play for the Philadelphia Athletics. Because of inconsistent fielding, Burrus was sent to Columbus
Columbus Senators
The Columbus Senators Minor league baseball team was born in as a founding member of the Tri-State League. After that, the Senators played in the Western League , Interstate League Western Association and American Association...
in the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
, before being sold to Atlanta
Atlanta Crackers
The Atlanta Crackers were minor league baseball teams based in Atlanta, Georgia, between 1901 and 1965. The Crackers were Atlanta's home team until the Atlanta Braves moved from Milwaukee in 1966....
, where he helped win the Southern Association
Southern Association
The Southern Association was a higher-level minor league in American organized baseball from 1901 through 1961. For most of its existence, the Southern Association was two steps below the Major Leagues; it was graded Class A , Class A1 and Class AA...
pennant.
In 1925, Burrus returned to the majors, playing for the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. That season he batted an excellent .340 and led the National League First Basemen in fielding, with a 990 percentage in 151 games.
Later that year, Burrus suffered a hernia and was never able to play at the same level. His contract was sold to the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
for $10,000. He helped that team win the AA pennant. He later played for the Houston Buffaloes
Houston Buffaloes
The Houston Buffaloes or Buffs were an American minor league baseball team that was founded in 1888, played in the Texas League in the years 1888-90, 1892, 1895-99, and 1907-1958 ; in the South Texas League in the years 1903-06; and in the American Association from 1959-61...
, and in 1930 was released for good by Atlanta.
During his best years, his salary only reached as high as $9000.
Post-baseball
After his baseball career ended, Burrus returned to his native North CarolinaNorth Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. He served as a county commissioner, and worked as a fish buyer and Texaco
Texaco
Texaco is the name of an American oil retail brand. Its flagship product is its fuel "Texaco with Techron". It also owns the Havoline motor oil brand....
distributor until his retirement in 1962. He then moved to Currituck County, North Carolina
Currituck County, North Carolina
-National protected areas:*Currituck National Wildlife Refuge*Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge -Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 23,547 people, 6,902 households, and 5,204 families residing in the county. The population density was 70 people per square mile . There were...
to live near a hospital.
Burrus died of lung cancer in 1972, leaving behind his widow and four children, including daughters Dixie and Mary
Mary Burrus Williams
Mary Burrus Williams is the co-author with her sister, Dixie Burrus Browning, of historical novels under the pen name Bronwyn Williams....
, and nine grandchildren.