Glenn Burke
From BR Bullpen
Glenn Lawrence Burke
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 195 lb.
- School Merritt College
- High School Berkeley High School
- Debut April 9, 1976
- Final Game June 4, 1979
- Born November 16, 1952 in Oakland, CA USA
- Died May 30, 1995 in San Leandro, CA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Glenn Burke is credited with inventing the high five. After his career ended, he became the first former major leaguer to come out as gay. He died of an "AIDS" like condition in 1995.
Although he appeared in 4 major league seasons, his most notable year was 1977, when he was the fourth outfielder on a Dodger team that went to the World Series. He didn't have much hope of dislodging the three regular outfielders - Dusty Baker, Reggie Smith, and Rick Monday. Burke at the time was 24, one year older than the fifth outfielder, John Hale. By the middle of 1978, both Burke and Hale were gone from the Dodgers.
He started the first game of the 1977 World Series, batting sixth in the order, and went 1 for 3, with a single.
