Paul Burris – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Paul Burris stands out as one of those intriguing figures in baseball history, someone who lived the journey so many players dreamed about during the sport’s golden age. He grew up in North Carolina and worked his way up to be a reliable catcher in Major League Baseball, suiting up for both the Boston Braves and Milwaukee Braves at a time when the franchise itself was going through big changes.

Burris wrapped up his pro baseball career in 1953 after 69 major league games spread over four partial seasons. He hit .219, with 2 home runs and 24 RBIs. He played during one of baseball’s most interesting transitions, actually witnessing the Boston Braves’ move to Milwaukee in 1953. That alone made him part of a pretty big moment in the sport’s geography.

But honestly, there’s more to Paul Burris than just stats on a page. He gives us a window into the life of a dedicated player, someone who managed to chase his baseball dreams while also serving in World War II. He went from being a small-town athlete to a major league catcher, and that takes a level of grit and persistence that really defined his generation.

Early Life and Background

Paul Robert Burris was born on July 21, 1923, in Hickory, North Carolina. His early life involved a few family moves, school, and military service that set him up for his baseball career.

Birth and Family

Paul Robert Burris came into the world in Hickory, a town of about 6,000 back then. He was born on July 21, 1923, joining a generation that would face some serious challenges.

When Paul was just a year old, his family decided to move. They headed southeast about 50 miles to Charlotte, North Carolina.

That move changed things for him. Charlotte was a bigger city, with more schools and activities for kids. Paul spent his childhood there through the 1920s and 1930s.

His family seems to have been pretty stable and supportive. They stayed in Charlotte while he was growing up. That kind of stability definitely helped him build the discipline he’d use in baseball later.

Education and High School Sports

Paul went through the Charlotte school system. He attended Derita High School first.

After a while, he switched to Central High School, also in Charlotte. Back then, it wasn’t unusual for students to change schools. Both gave him a solid education.

He graduated from high school in 1941 at 18, which was typical for the time. That education got him ready for work life.

After graduation, Paul headed back to Hickory in 1942. He took a job at a local sandwich shop and worked there for about 10 months. That job taught him a lot about responsibility.

Military Service During World War II

World War II turned Paul’s life upside down, just like it did for a lot of young men. The Army drafted him, so he had to put baseball on hold.

He served 31 months in the Pacific Theater. He saw action in some of the war’s toughest places, including Guadalcanal and the Philippines.

Paul’s military experience was tough and, honestly, pretty dangerous. He “saw plenty of action,” according to the records. Those experiences tested his courage and changed him for good.

The Army promoted him to sergeant, which says a lot about his leadership. He got an honorable discharge in 1946.

By 23, Paul was back to civilian life. His time in the service had matured him. He returned to baseball with more focus and determination than ever.

Professional Baseball Career

Paul Robert Burris built his baseball career the hard way, with determination and steady progress as a catcher. He started in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization, bounced around the minors, and finally made it to the Boston Braves in 1948.

Signing with Brooklyn Dodgers

Brooklyn Dodgers scouts noticed Paul while he played for the Hickory Rebels in 1942. The Dodgers signed him as a free agent after he played well in the Class D North Carolina State League.

They sent him to Durham in the Class B Piedmont League right away. But he barely played, getting into fewer than 10 games because other catchers were ahead of him.

Ferrell Anderson and Bruce Edwards blocked his way. Both of those guys would end up playing in the majors, with Edwards spending 10 seasons with the Dodgers.

World War II put Burris’s early baseball dreams on hold. He spent 31 months in the Army, serving in Guadalcanal and the Philippines, and got out in 1946 as a sergeant.

Minor League Experience

When he came back from the war, Burris jumped right back into baseball in 1946 with the High-Point-Thomasville Dodgers. He caught 74 games and hit .198 that first year back.

In 1947, he really improved. Playing for the Danville Dodgers in the Three-I League, he played 117 games and hit .287, which was a big jump.

At Danville, he caught for Carl Erskine, who would go on to the majors and put up a 19-9 record with a 2.94 ERA that year. Catching for Erskine gave Burris some valuable experience.

After the 1947 season, the Milwaukee Brewers drafted Burris from the Dodgers’ system. Bob Coleman, who managed the Evansville Bees and used to catch in the majors, recommended him to the Braves.

Major League Debut and Early Years

Burris made his major league debut on October 2, 1948, for the Boston Braves at age 25. He caught Warren Spahn in that first game and went 1-for-1 at the plate against the New York Giants.

The Braves had already clinched the National League pennant when Burris joined them. He played just two games that year, picking up two hits in four at-bats during the final weekend.

His best season in the majors came in 1952. He played in 55 games for the Braves and hit both of his career home runs, including one off his old teammate Carl Erskine at Ebbets Field.

Burris finished his major league career with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. He handled all 271 chances without a single error in those 69 games.

Tenure with Boston Braves and Milwaukee Braves

Paul Burris made his major league debut for the Boston Braves on October 2, 1948. Over multiple seasons, he played 69 games with the franchise, experiencing both its final days in Boston and the historic move to Milwaukee in 1953.

Notable Seasons and Team Contributions

Burris got his first big league call-up in 1948 after the Braves clinched the pennant. He debuted at 25, wearing number 11, and caught Warren Spahn in a doubleheader against the Giants.

His busiest season was 1952, when he played in 55 games. That was as much action as he saw in any one season. Burris mostly backed up established catchers like Walker Cooper and Del Crandall.

The Braves clearly trusted Burris’s defensive abilities. Manager Nick Cullop once said Burris’s throws “travel down to second base with the speed of a rifle shot.” If anything, defense was his calling card.

He finished his major league career with perfect fielding. Burris handled 271 chances without making an error, ending with a 1.000 fielding percentage over 69 games.

Performance Highlights

Burris hit both his career home runs in 1952. The first came off former teammate Carl Erskine on May 30 at Ebbets Field. That solo shot was the only hit Erskine gave up in seven innings of relief.

His second homer was on June 12, 1952, in his best offensive game. Burris went 4-for-5 that day, knocking out a home run, a double, two singles, and driving in six runs. That was definitely the high point of his hitting in the big leagues.

Career Statistics with the Braves:

• Games: 69
• Batting Average: .219
• Home Runs: 2
• Fielding Percentage: 1.000

Even with his defensive skills, Burris struggled to hit consistently. His .219 average kept him in a backup role. The Braves hoped he’d improve, especially against curveballs.

Transition to Milwaukee Braves

Burris was there for the franchise’s big move from Boston to Milwaukee in March 1953. He took part in spring training when the team officially became the Milwaukee Braves on March 18, 1953.

A team photo from that time shows Burris in a Milwaukee cap, while some teammates still wore their old “B” hats. That photo really captured what a transitional moment it was.

Unfortunately, his time in Milwaukee ended quickly because of injury. On June 22, 1953, Burris broke his left elbow in a collision at home plate during an exhibition game against the Eau Claire farm club. Up to that point, he’d only played in two games with one at-bat.

The injury put him on the disabled list from July 3 to September 18, 1953. His last major league game was June 4, 1953, in Milwaukee. After that, the Braves sent him to Toledo in the American Association, effectively ending his big league career.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Paul Burris put up modest but respectable numbers during his four years in Major League Baseball with the Boston/Milwaukee Braves. His career batting average was .219 over 69 games and 196 at-bats, with 2 home runs and 24 RBIs.

Batting and Fielding Records

Burris kept his batting about steady throughout his MLB years, from 1948 to 1953. His .219 average was about what you’d expect from many backup catchers back then.

He totaled 43 hits in 196 career at-bats. His best year was 1952, when he played 55 games for the Braves, hit .220, and backed up Walker Cooper.

Burris debuted in the majors on October 2, 1948, going 2-for-4. His last game came on June 4, 1953, with the Milwaukee Braves after they moved.

In the minors, Burris hit a bit better. Over 787 games, he picked up 583 hits in 2,407 at-bats, good for a .242 average.

RBI and Home Runs

Paul Burris drove in 24 runs during his big league career, showing he could contribute even with limited playing time. He hit just 2 home runs in those four seasons.

His RBI numbers reflected his role as a backup catcher, usually coming in as a defensive replacement or spot starter. With 69 games, he averaged about one RBI every three games.

In the minors, he showed a little more with the bat. His 1947 season with the Danville Dodgers was his best, hitting .287 before joining the Braves.

Defensive Skills and Positions Played

Burris played only as a catcher during his MLB career. He actually started out as an outfielder before serving in World War II, which is kind of interesting, right?

That switch ended up working well for him, and he spent more than a decade behind the plate.

He earned regular playing time with the AAA Milwaukee Brewers because of his defensive skills. In 1946, Burris caught 74 games and kept working on his craft through several minor league seasons.

Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 190 pounds, Burris threw and batted right-handed. His steady defense kept him on the Braves’ roster from 1948 to 1953, even though his hitting never really took off compared to league averages.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

After his playing days ended in 1953, Paul Robert Burris moved on from professional baseball. He started a civilian career in North Carolina.

He worked at Douglas Aircraft Company in Charlotte until 1985. Burris kept close ties with his family and stayed active in his community during his post-baseball life.

Final Years in Baseball

Burris’s baseball career started to wind down after he broke his left elbow in a home plate collision during an exhibition game in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on June 22, 1953. He was playing for the Milwaukee Braves’ Class C farm club when it happened.

On July 3, 1953, the team put him on the disabled list, and he stayed there until September 18. His last major league game came on June 4, 1953, in Milwaukee when he was just 30.

Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick told the Braves to give Burris another shot before sending him down to the minors. Even so, the Braves sent him to Toledo of the American Association on September 20, 1954.

Burris kept playing in the minors through 1956. He spent time with teams like the Jacksonville Braves, Columbus Clippers, Atlanta Crackers, Austin Senators, and Louisville Colonels.

His playing time dropped off a lot during those last seasons. He could see his pro career was just about over.

Post-Career Professional Activities

After leaving baseball in 1956, Burris brought his family back to North Carolina. They settled in Huntersville, only about 10 miles from Charlotte.

He found work at Douglas Aircraft Company and stayed there for nearly thirty years. Burris also spent time working for the Duff Norton Company.

The move from baseball to civilian life wasn’t easy for his family. They had hoped he’d keep playing with the Braves in 1954, but the elbow injury and being sent to Toledo changed everything.

Burris worked in aerospace and manufacturing until he retired in 1985. His strong work ethic, which his old manager once called “conscientious,” helped him build a solid career after baseball.

Legacy and Community Involvement

Paul Burris stayed close with his family during retirement. He loved watching his grandchildren—Erin and Paul Taylor, Katie and Phillip Carter—play baseball.

His Charlotte Observer obituary even mentioned that folks would remember him for his devotion to family and his joy in seeing his grandkids play ball. That love for the game really never left him.

Burris remained a member of the Presbyterian Church all his life. He got involved with his local congregation and the Charlotte community.

He died in Huntersville on October 3, 1999, at 76. The community gathered to lay him to rest at Williams Memorial Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Charlotte on October 6, 1999.

Personal Life and Legacy

Paul Robert Burris found some peace in North Carolina after baseball. He worked for aerospace companies until retiring in 1985.

His family still keeps his memory alive, and that perfect fielding record in the majors doesn’t hurt either.

Life in North Carolina

When his baseball career wrapped up, Burris came back to his North Carolina roots with his wife Bette and their growing family. They settled in Huntersville, just a short drive from Charlotte where he’d grown up.

Burris married Bette Burgess in 1952 during his best season in the majors. Their first daughter, Paula, was born in 1953, the same year his baseball career ended.

He moved into civilian work, landing jobs at Douglas Aircraft Co. and later Duff Norton Co. Those jobs brought some much-needed stability after the ups and downs of pro baseball.

Burris worked steadily until he retired in 1985, spending over 30 years in aerospace and manufacturing. His dedication to family really defined him during those later years.

Passing and Memorials

Paul Burris passed away on October 3, 1999, in Huntersville at age 76.

The Charlotte Observer ran his obituary, and they really focused on how much he cared about his family—honestly, even more than his baseball career.

They wrote that people “will especially be remembered for his dedication to his family and great love of seeing his grandchildren play ball.” His grandchildren are Erin and Paul Taylor, along with Katie and Phillip Carter.

One detail stuck out to me. The obituary shared that he threw out Mickey Mantle at second base during his playing days.

That moment shows off the strong arm his managers always talked about during his career.

Burris spent his life as a Presbyterian, and his family buried him at Williams Memorial Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Charlotte on October 6, 1999.

He finished his major league career with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage over 69 games, which is a stat that still stands out.