Sean Burroughs
Encyclopedia
Sean Patrick Burroughs (born September 12, 1980 in Atlanta, Georgia
) is an American
professional baseball
third baseman
who is a free agent. He has previously played for the San Diego Padres
and Tampa Bay Devil Rays
.
Burroughs, who stands 6'2" tall and weighs 200 pounds (91 kg), bats left-handed
, but throws right-handed. He first joined the Padres major league team in 2002, after being drafted out of high school; Burroughs declined a scholarship offer to the University of Southern California
to accept the Padres' contract offer.
Burroughs, the son of 1974's American League
MVP
Jeff Burroughs
, owns a .280 career batting average
.He also starred in the Little League World Series
as a pitcher
when he was growing up in Long Beach, California
, winning the championship in 1992 and 1993, on a team his father coached (the former had been won by forfeit). Burroughs made waves in the media for his precociousness following the titles, telling David Letterman
on his show that he wanted to be a gynecologist when he grew up.
Burroughs' greatest moments as a Padre include his game winning single in the first game played at San Diego's PETCO Park
and a near-division clinching double off San Francisco's Armando Benitez
in 2005. Besides those two moments, he was a disappointment following Bruce Bochy
's decision to move Phil Nevin
to first base (from third) and Ryan Klesko
to the outfield (from first) to make room for him. During this time that Burroughs was given the nickname "The Bachelor," because all he could hit were singles.
Burroughs career fell apart during the 2006 season, after being traded to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in exchange for Dewon Brazelton
. Burroughs would bat just .190 in limited playing time before being optioned to the Durham Bulls
, Tampa Bay's Triple-A affiliate. Burroughs was designated for assignment on June 22, ending his tenure with the Devil Rays franchise.
On December 24, 2006, Burroughs signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners
, but was released on June 15, 2007, less than halfway through the season.
Burroughs struggled with substance abuse problems for several years, culminating in a period in which he was out of baseball, living in Las Vegas and eating out of garbage cans. He claims to be clean as of 2011 and is attempting a comeback. On November 22, 2010, Burroughs signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks
. He had his contract purchased by Arizona on May 18, 2011, after five seasons out of the major leagues. He was placed on waivers on June 19, after hitting .261 for Arizona and outrighted
to the minor leagues. After third baseman Melvin Mora
was released, Burroughs was promoted back to Arizona on July 1, 2011 where he returned to the starting line-up. He declared free agency on October 21.
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
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...
who is a free agent. He has previously played for the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
and Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
.
Burroughs, who stands 6'2" tall and weighs 200 pounds (91 kg), bats left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
, but throws right-handed. He first joined the Padres major league team in 2002, after being drafted out of high school; Burroughs declined a scholarship offer to the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
to accept the Padres' contract offer.
Burroughs, the son of 1974's American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
MVP
MLB Most Valuable Player Award
The Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award is an annual Major League Baseball award, given to one outstanding player in the American League and one in the National League. Since 1931, it has been awarded by the Baseball Writers Association of America...
Jeff Burroughs
Jeff Burroughs
Jeffrey Alan Burroughs is a former player in Major League Baseball. From through , he played for the Washington Senators , Texas Rangers , Atlanta Braves , Seattle Mariners , Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays . Burroughs batted and threw right-handed...
, owns a .280 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 :...
.He also starred in the Little League World Series
Little League World Series
The Little League Baseball World Series is a baseball tournament for children aged 11 to 13 years old. It was originally called the National Little League Tournament and was later renamed for the World Series in Major League Baseball. It was first held in 1947 and is held every August in South...
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...
when he was growing up in Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
, winning the championship in 1992 and 1993, on a team his father coached (the former had been won by forfeit). Burroughs made waves in the media for his precociousness following the titles, telling David Letterman
David Letterman
David Michael Letterman is an American television host and comedian. He hosts the late night television talk show, Late Show with David Letterman, broadcast on CBS. Letterman has been a fixture on late night television since the 1982 debut of Late Night with David Letterman on NBC...
on his show that he wanted to be a gynecologist when he grew up.
Burroughs' greatest moments as a Padre include his game winning single in the first game played at San Diego's PETCO Park
PETCO Park
Petco Park is an open-air ballpark in downtown San Diego, California, USA. It opened in 2004, replacing Qualcomm Stadium as the home park of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres. Before then, the Padres shared Qualcomm Stadium with the NFL's San Diego Chargers...
and a near-division clinching double off San Francisco's Armando Benitez
Armando Benítez
Armando Germán Benítez is a relief pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Baltimore Orioles:...
in 2005. Besides those two moments, he was a disappointment following Bruce Bochy
Bruce Bochy
Bruce Douglas Bochy is the manager of the San Francisco Giants. Prior to joining the Giants, Bochy had been the manager of the San Diego Padres for twelve seasons. Bochy is the only former Padres player to serve as the team's manager. He has participated in all five postseason appearances in...
's decision to move Phil Nevin
Phil Nevin
Phillip Joseph Nevin is a retired American professional baseball player who spent twelve seasons in Major League Baseball with the Houston Astros , Detroit Tigers , Anaheim Angels , San Diego Padres , Texas Rangers , Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins...
to first base (from third) and Ryan Klesko
Ryan Klesko
Ryan Anthony Klesko , is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and corner outfielder, who played for the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and the San Francisco Giants...
to the outfield (from first) to make room for him. During this time that Burroughs was given the nickname "The Bachelor," because all he could hit were singles.
Burroughs career fell apart during the 2006 season, after being traded to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in exchange for Dewon Brazelton
Dewon Brazelton
Dewon Cortez Brazelton is a professional baseball pitcher. He pitched all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball, and is currently a free agent....
. Burroughs would bat just .190 in limited playing time before being optioned to the Durham Bulls
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
, Tampa Bay's Triple-A affiliate. Burroughs was designated for assignment on June 22, ending his tenure with the Devil Rays franchise.
On December 24, 2006, Burroughs signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
, but was released on June 15, 2007, less than halfway through the season.
Burroughs struggled with substance abuse problems for several years, culminating in a period in which he was out of baseball, living in Las Vegas and eating out of garbage cans. He claims to be clean as of 2011 and is attempting a comeback. On November 22, 2010, Burroughs signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. He had his contract purchased by Arizona on May 18, 2011, after five seasons out of the major leagues. He was placed on waivers on June 19, after hitting .261 for Arizona and outrighted
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
to the minor leagues. After third baseman Melvin Mora
Melvin Mora
Melvin Mora , affectionately nicknamed Melmo or Melvy, is a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder who is a free agent...
was released, Burroughs was promoted back to Arizona on July 1, 2011 where he returned to the starting line-up. He declared free agency on October 21.