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Burkett, Jesse

Jesse Cail Burkett
Born: December 4, 1868, Wheeling, West Virginia
Died: May 27, 1953, Worcester, Massachusetts
Bats: 
Left
Throws: 
Left
Played For: 
New York Giants (1890), Cleveland Spiders (1891-1898), St. Louis Perfectos, Cardinals (1899-1901), St. Louis Browns (1902-1904), Boston Red Sox (1905)
Elected to the Hall of Fame by Veterans Committee: 1946
Biography: 

Displaying a serious demeanor which earned him the nickname Crab, Jesse Burkett compiled a .342 lifetime average, topping the .400 mark three times. Playing in over 2,000 games in a career that spanned the 19th and 20th centuries, Burkett had 200 or more hits during six seasons and totaled 2,872 hits, second only to Cap Anson during this period. An adept bunter, he claimed he could have bunted for a .400 average following the rules of 19th-century baseball.

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Did You Know: 
that Jesse Burkett, best known for his prowess with the bat, began his pro baseball career as a pitcher, once winning 30 games with Worcester of the Minor League Atlantic Association?
As a pitcher, Burkett used to run a race with himself in passes and whiffs. He was the Lefty Grove of the old Atlantic Association of 1889.
Ernest Lanigan