Jeff Burroughs
In the first few years after the Senators moved to Texas, Rangers fans had very little to cheer about. Most of the time their team was a laughingstock that more resembled a circus than a ballclub. But first round draft pick Jeff Burroughs gave them something to rally around when he began launching home runs. In his first full season, as a 22-year old, the big, right-handed slugger belted 30 homers. The following season he hit 25 and drove in a league-leading 118 runs, as he won the American League's Most Valuable Player Award. But after two more productive seasons, the Rangers traded him to Atlanta for five players and $250,000. The deal was financially motivated and unpopular with Texas fans. It was all the more frustrating to Rangers rooters after Burroughs hit 41 homers for his new team. Just 26 years old, Burroughs had nearly 150 home runs to his credit, but his best seasons were behind him. He spent his last few seasons back in the AL as a designated hitter, primarily facing left-handed pitching. After a promising few seasons in his early and mid-20s, Burroughs retired with 240 homers.
Played For
Washington Senators (1970-1971)
Texas Rangers (1972-1976)
Atlanta Braves (1977-1980)
Seattle Mariners (1981)
Oakland Athletics (1982-1984)
Toronto Blue Jays (1985)
Best Season: 1974
Despite playing in a tough hitters park, Burroughs slugged 25 home runs. Despite playing for a team that was unspectacular, hge drove in 118 runs. He also hit .301 with 33 doubles, 84 runs scored, 91 walks, and a .397 on-base percentage. He was just 23 years old and his future seemed very bright. He was named AL MVP.
Born
Jeffrey Alan Burroughs was born on March 7, 1951, in Long Beach, CA.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: OF
Primary Team: TEX
College: Long Beach City Coll.
Major League Debut
July 20, 1970
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1970
Dave Concepcion
Jose Cruz
Don Baylor
Larry Bowa
Ken Singleton
Bobby Grich
Cesar Cedeno
Bert Blyleven
Charlie Hough
Similar Players
John Mayberry, Deron Johnson, Bill Nicholson
Related Players
Ted Williams
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1991 |
BBWAA |
1 |
.2% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1985 American League Championship Series
Post-Season Notes
Finally, in his last season, Burroughs got into the post-season, with the Blue Jays. He got into just one game of the LCS, pinch-hitting. He made an out, and it was the last at-bat of his career.
Awards and Honors
1974 AL MVP
Batting Feats
All-Star Selections
1974 AL
1978 NL
Replaced
Ted Ford, a fairly untalented outfielder who spent parts of four seasons in the majors, hitting .219 with 17 homers in 240 games.
Replaced By
Burroughs last regular job was as the A's DH in 1983. The following season, Dave Kingman assumed that job, and Burroughs was a pinch-hitter for Oakland. In 1985, with Toronto, Burroughs pinch-hit and DH'd against lefties, platooning with Al Oliver.
Best Strength as a Player
Burroughs was a string pull-hitter who took advantage of Atlanta's Fulton-County Stadium which perfectly suited his swing.
Largest Weakness as a Player
He was a poor outfielder, which wasn't helped by his sloth-like running speed.
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