Britt Burns
From BR Bullpen
Robert Britt Burns
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 6' 5", Weight 218 lb.
- Debut August 5, 1978
- Final Game September 30, 1985
- Born June 8, 1959 in Houston, TX USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Britt Burns made his major league debut with the Chicago White Sox in 1978 at age 19 and pitched eight years in the majors with them.
In his first full season, 1980, he won 15 games and had a 2.84 ERA. After another fine season in 1981 (10-6, 2.64 ERA), he appeared to be on track to be the ace of the White Sox pitching staff. His numbers declined somewhat over the next two seasons as he was plagued with injuries, but the Sox still won their division in 1983.
Burns got the start in Game Four of the American League Championship Series against the Baltimore Orioles and pitched nine scoreless innings before giving up a run in the top of the 10th inning to get the loss.
He struggled in 1984, winning only 4 games, accumulating an ERA of 5.00, and getting yanked from the Sox rotation. However, in 1985 he came back strong, winning 18 games.
In the offseason he was traded to the New York Yankees for Joe Cowley and Ron Hassey, upsetting White Sox fans. As fate would have it, he never played in another game after developing a chronic hip condition and retired at the age of 26. He made two unsuccessful comeback attempts in the early 1990s.
More recently, Burns has been a minor league pitching coach with the Florida Marlins (1993-2001) and Detroit Tigers (since 2002). He was coach for the Toledo Mud Hens in 2002 (replacing Jeff Jones in April) and in 2003 with the Erie SeaWolves. He coached the Lakeland Tigers in 2004-2006 and will move back up to Toledo in 2007. After the 2007 season, he was named minor league pitching coordinator for the Houston Astros.
[edit] Miscellaneous
Since 1920, only two pitchers have had at least 18 wins in their final season: Britt Burns and Sandy Koufax.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1980 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
- AL All-Star (1981)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 2 (1980 & 1985)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 2 (1980 & 1985)
