Edward D. Burke (1866-1907) was a NL outfielder from 1890-1897 for the Phillies, Alleghenys, Brewers, Reds and Giants. Burke had an active year in 1893, leading the league in games played (135) and hit by pitch (25.) Burke’s best offensive year was 1896 for Cincinnati, hitting .340 in 122 games.
John J. “Black Jack” Burdock (1852-1931) began and ended his 18 year career in Brooklyn, first for the Atlantics and retiring from the Bridegrooms (Grooms). Played for the Hartford Dark Blues during their 1st year in the new National League, ‘76, and the next when Hartford became the Brooklyn Hartfords for a year.
William Byron Burdick (1859-1949) came to professional baseball relatively late in life. His first known appearance for a minor league team, the Eau Claire Lumbermen of the Northwestern League, was at age 26 in 1886. Perhaps because of his “advanced” age, he didn’t waste time getting a shot in the big leagues. 1887 saw him pitching for Oshkosh before he climbed to the Western Association’s Omaha Omahogs in ‘88, the same year he debuted with the Indianapolis Hoosiers of the National League. The rookie started with a bang, edging Cap Anson’s first-place White Stockings 2-1 on July 23. He would win ten that season with only a .500 record but a fine 2.81 ERA. Burdick came back in ‘89 with the Hoosiers but saw little action, going 2-4 in ten games and seeing his ERA soar to 4.53.
Morgan Gardner Bulkeley (1837-1922) was an icon of Connecticut business and politics over a long and distinguished life. This Civil War vet, 4-time mayor of Hartford, 2-term Gov. of CT, U.S. Senator and CEO of Aetna for 35 years is also in Baseball’s Hall of Fame. He served 1 yr as Pres. of the new NL in 1876.
Charles G. Buffinton (1861-1907) was one of the most accomplished hurlers of his era; his sinker befuddling batters as it dove into the dirt. The Fall River native helped lead his Beaneaters to the title in 1883, ably supporting Grasshopper Whitney. The two combined for 62 of the team’s 63 victories. The following year was one of the most remarkable in baseball history and Charlie was one of its heroes, joining six others in shattering the previous strikeout record. Buffinton’s 17 Ks in a game remains the Braves franchise record. Boston’s try for a repeat championship died at the strong right hand of Old Hoss Radbourn who carried the Providence Grays with his mind-boggling 59 wins to Charlie’s 48. He went on to win 20+ seven times. His 233-152 lifetime record still ranks him 63rd in wins all-time. Typical of the era, Buffinton finished his own starts, an eye-popping 351 times out of 396. Only eight other pitchers of the 19th century exceeded his strikeout total.
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