Ellis Burton – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Ellis Narrington Burton played five seasons in Major League Baseball from 1958 to 1965, suiting up for three different teams before calling it quits at just 28. The outfielder from Los Angeles hit .216 with 17 home runs and 59 RBIs in 215 games for the St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Indians, and Chicago Cubs.

Sure, his numbers don’t leap off the page, but Burton’s journey through professional baseball gives a fascinating glimpse into what it’s like for a player to reach the sport’s highest level during a time of big changes.

Burton’s road to the big leagues started in the late 1950s. He broke in as a switch-hitting center fielder, standing 5’11” and weighing just 160 pounds.

His ability to play all over the outfield and bat from both sides made teams take notice. The California native bounced from the National League Cardinals to the American League Indians, then finally found his longest opportunity with the Chicago Cubs.

Early Life and Background

Ellis Narrington Burton was born August 12, 1936, in Los Angeles, California. He developed the skills that would eventually lead him to Major League Baseball right there in his hometown.

Growing up in Southern California’s baseball-rich environment gave him the perfect backdrop for developing his athletic abilities.

Family and Childhood in Los Angeles

Burton entered the world in Los Angeles during the mid-1930s, when baseball was woven deep into American culture. He was born into a family in California’s biggest city, surrounded by the baseball tradition that Southern California is famous for.

Los Angeles in the ‘30s and ‘40s gave young athletes like Burton plenty of chances to hone their skills. Thanks to the city’s year-round good weather, he could play baseball nearly every day, which wasn’t the case for kids in colder places.

As a kid, Burton started showing the athleticism that would later define his career. He stood out early, especially with his knack for hitting from both sides of the plate.

Switch-hitting became one of his trademarks. The Burton family cheered him on as his love for baseball grew.

Those early years really set him up for what was to come.

High School Baseball and Development

Burton’s high school days played a huge role in shaping his baseball future. He fine-tuned the skills that would eventually catch the eyes of Major League scouts.

His switch-hitting ability got even better during high school. Not many players could do what he did at the plate, and that made him a hot prospect.

He grew to 5’11” and kept a lean, athletic build—160 pounds—giving him speed and agility in the outfield.

High school baseball in Los Angeles was no joke. Tons of talented players fought for the attention of college recruiters and pro scouts.

Burton’s performances during this time showed he had what it took. By graduation, he was a well-rounded player with strong outfield skills and the rare gift of switch-hitting.

MLB Career Overview

Ellis Burton played five seasons in Major League Baseball from 1958 to 1965, appearing in 215 games as an outfielder. He started his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, then moved to the Cleveland Indians, and wrapped up with the Chicago Cubs after going through the Houston Colt .45s Rule 5 draft process.

Debut with St. Louis Cardinals

Burton made his MLB debut on September 18, 1958, with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was just 22, born and raised in Los Angeles, standing 5’11” and weighing 160 pounds.

The switch-hitting outfielder who threw right-handed didn’t get much playing time at first. He played for St. Louis in 1958, then again in 1960.

He showed promise even with limited at-bats. His switch-hitting made him a handy utility outfielder.

Burton got his first taste of the majors with the Cardinals, and that experience helped him with his later moves.

Season with Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians picked up Burton in the Rule 5 draft in 1962. He joined the Indians’ roster for the 1963 season, adding depth to their outfield.

Burton’s time in Cleveland was short but worth noting. He played alongside some established big leaguers and kept working on his game as a center fielder.

The Indians mostly used him as a backup outfielder. His ability to bat from both sides gave the team extra options.

His stint in Cleveland helped cement his reputation as a reliable role player. That experience set him up for his next chapter.

Years with the Chicago Cubs

Burton spent his final MLB years with the Chicago Cubs from 1963 to 1965. His last big league game came on September 4, 1965, wearing a Cubs uniform.

The Cubs used him as a center fielder and utility outfielder for three seasons. He played most of his 215 career games in Chicago.

Burton put up his best numbers with the Cubs. He racked up most of his home runs and RBIs during this stretch.

His last season in 1965 marked the end of his five-year major league career. After the 1965 season, he retired from pro baseball.

Major Trades and the Houston Colt .45s

On November 26, 1962, the Houston Colt .45s selected Burton in the Rule 5 draft from the Toronto Maple Leafs. That move could have changed his career.

Interestingly, Burton never actually played for the Houston Colt .45s. Instead, he ended up with the Cleveland Indians for the 1963 season.

The Rule 5 draft involved several teams and eventually led to his move to Cleveland. That whole process really shaped his final years in baseball.

Burton bounced between teams, which was pretty common for players working their way up through the minors and majors. He played for three different MLB clubs during his career.

Statistical Performance in the Majors

Ellis Burton’s big league career spanned five seasons from 1958 to 1965. He hit .216 with 17 home runs and 59 RBIs in 215 games. His numbers show the challenges of a player struggling to find steady success at the plate.

Batting Average and Hitting Stats

Burton’s career batting average of .216 was well below the league average for his era. That low average was a major hurdle during his time in the majors.

He tallied 120 hits and scored 79 runs in his 215 games. His on-base skills didn’t really stand out, which limited his offensive impact.

Burton had a tough time making consistent contact. That struggle at the plate affected his playing time and probably played a role in him moving between teams.

His batting stats shifted from year to year, but he never managed to hit above .250 in any season where he got significant at-bats.

Home Runs and Power Numbers

Burton showed some pop during his career, hitting 17 home runs over five seasons. When he got hold of one, he could really drive the ball.

He averaged about 3.4 homers per season. For a center fielder in that era, those numbers were respectable, if not eye-popping.

He finished with 59 career RBIs, so he could knock in runs when he had the chance. Even though he struggled at the plate, he still contributed in clutch spots.

His home run and RBI totals show he had enough power to be a threat. That pop probably helped keep him in the majors for five years.

Stolen Bases and Speed on the Bases

Not much info is out there about Burton’s stolen base totals or base-running during his big league days. Standard baseball sites and resources like baseball-reference.com don’t really highlight his stolen base stats.

As a center fielder, he probably had decent speed—after all, you need quickness to cover ground out there.

His base-running stats seem pretty minimal based on what’s available. The lack of stolen base numbers suggests that wasn’t a big part of his game.

He scored 79 runs in his career, so he did get on base now and then. Without more detailed stats, though, it’s tough to judge his overall speed or base-stealing ability.

Highlight Moments and Memorable Games

Ellis Burton’s short time in the majors still had its share of highlights. He showed off his switch-hitting and defensive skills, especially with the Cubs, and came through in some clutch moments.

Ultimate Grand Slam with the Chicago Cubs

Burton’s biggest moment came with the Chicago Cubs when he blasted a crucial grand slam. That swing showed why the Cubs kept giving the switch-hitter chances, even when he struggled for consistency.

The grand slam was one of his 17 career home runs. It helped cement his reputation as a guy who could deliver under pressure.

He played 152 games with Chicago, hitting .216 with 13 home runs during his Cubs career. That grand slam stands out as one of his best offensive contributions.

Key Games Against Houston Colt .45s

Burton had a few good games against the Houston Colt .45s in the early ‘60s. His speed and defense in center field worked well against Houston’s lineup.

In one game, he showed off his switch-hitting by racking up hits from both sides of the plate. That performance helped the Cubs grab an important win in a tight division race.

His games against Houston put his defense and base-running on display. It’s no wonder several organizations wanted him, even with his .216 career average.

Minor League Achievements

Ellis Burton built his reputation as a skilled switch-hitter during an eleven-year minor league career that ran from 1955 to 1965. On May 3, 1961, he pulled off something special—becoming the first player in organized baseball history to hit home runs from both sides of the plate in the same inning.

Long-Term Minor League Performance

Burton’s minor league numbers show he could really hit across different levels. According to Baseball-Reference.com, he played in 1,213 games, racking up 4,210 at-bats and 1,155 hits.

His career batting average of .274 shows solid contact from both sides. He also hit 169 home runs and drove in 476 runs during his minor league run.

The switch-hitting outfielder kept up that production while adjusting to new teams and playing styles. His ability to hit for average and power made him a valuable prospect in several farm systems.

Teams Represented and Key Milestones

Burton kicked off his professional journey in 1955 with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He played for the Class C Phoenix Stars that season.

He showed real promise right out of the gate, hitting .314 and knocking 14 home runs.

Over the years, Burton suited up for ten different minor league teams across four levels. He wore jerseys for the Phoenix Stars, Billings Mustangs, Tri-City Braves, Houston Buffalos, Omaha Cardinals, Rochester Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Louisville Colonels, Salt Lake City Bees, and Fort Worth Cats.

His most historic moment happened with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1961. That day, Burton blasted two home runs in the eighth inning—one from the left side and one from the right.

Nobody had ever done that in organized baseball before, so he set a brand new milestone.

Post-Retirement Life and Legacy

After he left professional baseball in 1965, Ellis Burton headed back to California and jumped into banking. It’s interesting—his baseball career might not have been legendary, but that one rare feat still gets mentioned by fans who love the game’s oddball records.

Career After Baseball

Once the Chicago Cubs released him in 1965, Burton moved home to California. He started working in banking and eventually became a bank manager.

Switching from pro sports to business isn’t always easy, but Burton pulled it off. Banking gave him a steady career that lasted way longer than his days in the majors.

Going back to California just made sense for him. He was born in Los Angeles in 1936, so the West Coast felt like home.

His banking career stretched on for decades. Still, it’s tough to find specifics about which banks he worked for or exactly how long he stayed in the business.

Impact on the Baseball Community

Burton made his biggest mark on baseball history with his ultimate grand slam on August 31, 1963.

He pulled off this rare feat at Wrigley Field, blasting a walk-off grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. The Cubs trailed by three runs, and somehow, Burton turned it all around.

Major league players have only hit 27 of these home runs. Burton’s slam stood out even more because he did it with two outs, making him just the second player at the time to pull that off.

Fans who watched the Cubs face the Houston Colt .45s that day won’t forget it. Only 9,027 people filled the stands, but they witnessed something wild.

Burton probably felt extra fired up, since Houston had let him go earlier that season. That must’ve added a little more sweetness to the swing.

His career stats look pretty modest—he batted .216 and hit 17 home runs over five seasons. Still, that one moment in 1963 locked his name in baseball’s record books and gave Cubs fans a win they’d talk about for years.