Rick Burleson – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Richard Paul Burleson, better known as “Rooster,” built a memorable 13-season run in Major League Baseball. He stood out as one of the most intense and skilled shortstops of his era.

Fans at Fenway Park loved him for his exceptional defensive plays and fiery, competitive edge. Burleson played mainly for the Boston Red Sox from 1974 to 1980.

Burleson retired from pro baseball on July 8, 1987, after finishing up with the Baltimore Orioles. His career included four All-Star selections, a Gold Glove, and a Silver Slugger Award.

He started out rough, committing three errors in his MLB debut. Somehow, he turned that rocky start around and became one of the American League’s top shortstops.

Growing up in California, Burleson showed how talent, grit, and resilience can overcome early stumbles. He played a crucial part in Boston’s 1975 World Series run and later faced tough injuries.

Burleson’s career had highs and plenty of challenges. That’s kind of the story for a lot of pro athletes, isn’t it?

Personal Background and Early Life

Richard Paul Burleson was born on April 29, 1951, in Lynwood, California. He grew up in Southern California, a die-hard Dodger fan from the start.

His early baseball development led him to become one of the most competitive and skilled shortstops in MLB history.

Birth and Family Origins

Burleson came into the world on April 29, 1951, in Lynwood, California. He grew up right in the heart of Southern California during the 1950s and 1960s.

Baseball was everywhere in his neighborhood. The Los Angeles Dodgers had just moved from Brooklyn to LA in 1958, and that excitement was contagious.

As a kid, Burleson became a devoted Dodger fan. That early connection to the big leagues really shaped his dreams.

Living so close to the Dodgers gave him plenty of chances to watch games and study the sport he’d later master.

Early Baseball Development

Burleson’s natural talent for baseball showed up early. He stood out as an infielder even when he was young.

People noticed his competitive streak and his drive to win. He played in local youth leagues all over Southern California.

Thanks to the warm weather, he played and practiced almost year-round. That constant exposure really sharpened his defensive skills and batting.

Even as a kid, Burleson had that intensity—he always wanted to win. That fire would eventually earn him the nickname “Rooster” in the majors.

His fierce desire to succeed made him different from other young players around him.

High School and Amateur Achievements

In high school, Burleson kept impressing scouts with his baseball skills. Colleges and pros started to take notice.

His defense at shortstop was especially eye-catching. Teammate Bill Lee later said Burleson had “the greatest arm of any infielder I had ever seen.”

The Boston Red Sox saw his potential and picked him in the first round of the 1970 amateur draft. He went fifth overall in the January secondary phase.

That draft pick marked the start of his pro baseball journey. All his hard work was finally paying off.

Professional Career Overview

Rick Burleson played 13 seasons in the majors from 1974 to 1987, mostly as a shortstop for three American League teams. He put up a .273 batting average with 50 home runs and 449 RBIs in 1,346 games.

He earned four All-Star nods and a Gold Glove along the way.

Boston Red Sox Years

Burleson debuted in the MLB on May 4, 1974, with the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox had picked him fifth overall in 1970.

His first game didn’t go as planned—he committed three errors at shortstop and tied a major league record.

But he bounced back and became one of the best defensive shortstops of his time. He played seven seasons with Boston from 1974 to 1980.

Key Achievements with Boston:

• Four All-Star selections (1977, 1978, 1979, 1981)
• Gold Glove Award (1979)
• Set a major league record for double plays by a shortstop in one season with 147

Between 1975 and 1980, Burleson played at least 145 games every year. He notched at least 140 hits each season, showing his durability and consistency.

His top year was 1977, when he hit .293 with 194 hits and 80 runs scored. Bill Lee once said, “Some guys didn’t like to lose, but Rick got angry if the score was even tied.”

California Angels Tenure

The Boston Red Sox traded Burleson and Butch Hobson to the California Angels for Carney Lansford, Rick Miller, and Mark Clear on December 10, 1980. That trade changed the course of his career.

Burleson’s first year with the Angels in 1981 was impressive, even with the strike-shortened schedule. He hit .293 with 33 RBIs and 53 runs in 109 of the team’s 110 games.

1981 Season Highlights:

• Silver Slugger Award as AL’s top-hitting shortstop
• Gene Autry Award as Angels MVP
• Stayed an All-Star

Then things took a turn in 1982. Burleson injured his throwing arm, which really limited his playing time for the next three years. He only appeared in 51 games total during that stretch.

He missed all of the 1985 season because of his arm. Burleson came back in 1986, though, and hit .284 with five home runs in 93 games for the division-winning Angels.

Baltimore Orioles and Final Season

After 1986, Burleson signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles. This was his last shot at extending his MLB career.

He played mostly at second base that season. Sadly, he struggled in his final season, hitting just .209 in 55 games in 1987.

The Orioles released him during the All-Star break on July 8, 1987, which brought his playing days to an end. His last MLB game came at age 36.

Career Statistics:

• Batting Average: .273
• Home Runs: 50
• RBIs: 449
• Games Played: 1,346
• Hits: 1,401

That arm injury from 1982 really defined the last part of his career, keeping him to just 206 games over his final six seasons.

Key Career Highlights and Achievements

Rick Burleson became known as one of baseball’s fiercest competitors during his 13-year career. His defense at shortstop, clutch hitting, and leadership made him a four-time All-Star and award-winner with both the Boston Red Sox and California Angels.

All-Star Game Appearances

Burleson played in four All-Star Games between 1977 and 1981. He first made the team in 1977, hitting .298 with 28 RBIs and 45 runs at the time.

He earned consecutive All-Star selections in 1978 and 1979 with the Boston Red Sox. That was his peak—he’d become one of the league’s best defensive players.

His last All-Star Game came in 1981 with the California Angels. That season, he won the Silver Slugger for hitting .293 in a year shortened by the strike.

Postseason and World Series Contributions

Burleson played a big part in the Red Sox’s 1975 World Series run against the Cincinnati Reds. His steady defense and timely hitting helped Boston push the series to seven games.

He got back to the postseason with the California Angels in 1986. Even after missing 1985 due to injury, Burleson returned to help the Angels win the AL West.

His playoff experience covered two teams and two decades. He brought leadership and defensive steadiness when it mattered most.

Memorable Moments and Records

In 1980, Burleson set a MLB record for double plays by a shortstop with 147. That record showed just how good he was defensively.

On June 16, 1979, he hit an inside-the-park home run as Boston beat Chicago 11-5. That same game, Carl Yastrzemski picked up his 1,000th extra-base hit.

His major league debut on May 4, 1974, was rough—three errors in one game. But he bounced back quickly.

In 1979, he won the Gold Glove and was named Boston Red Sox MVP. Bill Lee summed him up: “Some guys didn’t like to lose, but Rick got angry if the score was even tied.”

Statistical Performance and Playing Style

Over 13 years, Rick Burleson posted a .273 batting average with 1,401 hits in 5,139 at-bats. His defensive prowess at shortstop made him one of the American League’s most reliable fielders during his prime.

Offensive Statistics: Batting Average, Home Runs, RBI

Burleson was a steady hitter. His best batting average—.293—came in both 1976 and 1977.

He collected 194 hits in 1977, which was his most productive offensive year. Power wasn’t really his thing, though. He hit 50 home runs in his whole career, never more than 8 in a single season.

RBI Production by Team:

• Boston Red Sox: 360 RBIs (7 seasons)
• California Angels: 75 RBIs (5 seasons)
• Baltimore Orioles: 14 RBIs (1 season)

Burleson drove in 449 runs overall, with his best RBI season in 1975—62 runs batted in over 158 games.

Defensive Accomplishments and Fielding

Defense was Burleson’s calling card. He won a Gold Glove in 1979 for his work at shortstop.

His quick reactions and strong arm helped him turn double plays with ease. Later in his career, he also played some second base.

Teammates and coaches respected his work ethic and attention to detail on defense. He always brought intensity to the infield.

WAR, OPS, and rOBA Analysis

Burleson’s advanced stats show his value as a complete player. He finished with a career WAR of 22.9, which is pretty solid.

His best WAR season came in 1981 with California—4.5 WAR in just 109 games. His OPS peaked at .748 in 1976, and his career OPS was .689.

rOBA (Runs above average based on On-Base Average) puts his career at .325. That’s above average, especially when you factor in league and ballpark context.

Injuries, Comebacks, and Retirement in 1987

Rick Burleson’s career took a big hit from a devastating rotator cuff injury that cut his prime short. Still, he managed a gutsy comeback with the California Angels before finally hanging it up with the Baltimore Orioles in 1987.

Major Injuries and Surgeries

Back in 1982, Burleson injured his right shoulder, tearing his rotator cuff while playing for the California Angels. The accident happened early in the season, and it knocked him out for the rest of the year.

The timing couldn’t have been much worse. Just a week before, he’d set a record for most assists by a shortstop in a single game. That moment showed off his defensive skills, right before everything changed.

Doctors performed surgery to repair his rotator cuff. He needed the procedure, but it came with a real risk to his future in MLB. For infielders who rely on strong, fast throws, a rotator cuff injury is about as serious as it gets.

He spent a long stretch away from baseball. Recovery from that kind of surgery usually takes months of rehab and physical therapy.

Recovery and Perseverance

Even though the injury was brutal, Burleson refused to give up on his career. He worked hard through rehab, doing whatever he could to get strength and movement back in his throwing arm.

Eventually, his determination paid off. In 1986, he made it back onto the field and impressed enough to win the United Press International Comeback Player of the Year award.

That season, Burleson hit .284, showing he could still play at a high level. It was a real testament to his grit and skill after such a rough setback.

The award wasn’t just about stats. It recognized the way he fought back from a potentially career-ending injury. Not many players managed to return from that kind of shoulder trouble back then.

Final Season and Decision to Retire

Even after he won the Comeback Player of the Year, the California Angels didn’t bring Burleson back for the 1987 season. He had to look for a new team as a free agent.

On January 7, 1987, Burleson signed with the Baltimore Orioles. Things didn’t go smoothly, though. He played 62 games—55 at second base, and seven as a designated hitter.

Offensively, Burleson struggled during his last season. He hit just .209, which was a big drop from his comeback year.

The Baltimore Orioles released him on July 11, 1987, after just over half a season. That move pretty much ended his 13-year MLB career. Burleson decided to retire from professional baseball instead of trying to catch on with another team.

His last season really showed the lingering effects of his shoulder injury, plus the reality of aging in pro sports.

Legacy and Influence on Baseball

Rick Burleson’s impact on baseball goes way beyond his 13 seasons on the field. He picked up some big awards and built a reputation as one of the top defensive shortstops of his time. His intense style and defensive skills left a mark on teammates, opponents, and fans with the Boston Red Sox, California Angels, and Baltimore Orioles.

Awards and Honors

Burleson’s career brought in quite a few accolades. He made the All-Star team four times (1977-1979, 1981), which says a lot about his steady performance.

In 1979, he won a Gold Glove Award for his defense. That same year, he set a major league record with 147 double plays by a shortstop.

He picked up a Silver Slugger Award in 1981 as the best hitting shortstop in the American League. The California Angels named him their MVP with the Gene Autry Award that year.

Burleson also took home the Thomas A. Yawkey Award as the Boston Red Sox’s Most Valuable Player in both 1979 and 1980. In 2002, the Red Sox honored him with induction into their Hall of Fame.

Impact as a Shortstop and Second Baseman

Burleson’s MLB debut was rough—he made three errors—but he didn’t let that define him. Over time, he became one of the best defensive shortstops of his generation. His arm was strong enough to make up for his limited range, and he could turn double plays with the best of them.

Between 1975 and 1980, Burleson showed remarkable consistency. He played at least 145 games and racked up at least 140 hits every season. That kind of reliability made him a key piece of the Red Sox infield.

Later on, arm injuries forced him to change things up. He moved over to second base with the Orioles in 1987. He even spent some time as a designated hitter, proving he could adapt.

People especially valued his defense during big moments, like the 1975 World Series and the 1978 playoff against the Yankees.

Reputation Among Peers and Fans

Burleson’s teammates started calling him “Rooster” because he played with an intense, competitive nature on the field. Bill Lee, who played alongside him, once summed it up, “Some guys didn’t like to lose, but Rick got angry if the score was even tied.”

Fans in Boston really took to his fierce spirit. He spent seven seasons there, and Red Sox supporters loved the way he hustled and always pushed to win.

Other players noticed Burleson’s work ethic and how solid he was on defense. They saw him as a clutch performer who showed up big in the games that mattered most.

Burleson’s defensive skills, his fire, and those leadership qualities made him stand out in baseball circles. People respected his professionalism and the way he threw himself into the game, even when the stats didn’t tell the whole story.