Wally Burnette

Wallace Harper Burnette (June 20, 1929 in Blairs, Virginia - February 12, 2003 in Danville, Virginia), was a professional baseball player who pitched for the Kansas City Athletics from by|1956-by|1958.

In three seasons, he compiled a win-loss record of 14-21, appeared in 68 games, started 27 games, completing 5 games and once pitching a shutout, pitched 262.7 innings, walked 122, struck out 122, gave up 259 hits, and had a career ERA of 3.65. His key pitch was his knuckleball. [The Neyer/James Guide to Pitchers: An Historical Compendium of Pitching, Pitchers, and Pitches. Bill James and Rob Neyer. 2004.]

Burnette was signed as an amateur free agent by the New York Yankees, but was traded for future Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda to the Athletics on July 11, 1956.

Burnette's daughter said of him::"He thought the salaries [current major leaguers] were drawing were ridiculous. What he made then wasn't even 1 percent of what they're making now. He played for the love of the game." [ Danville Register and Bee. February 13 2002.]

References

External links

* [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/deaths/wally_burnette_obituary.shtml Wally Burnette's Obituary]