Smoky Burgess – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Forrest “Smoky” Burgess built one of baseball’s most unique careers during his 18 years in the major leagues. This North Carolina native played his last game on October 1, 1967, at age 40, wrapping up a journey that stretched from 1949 to 1967 with five different teams.

At just 5’8″ and 245 pounds, Burgess really didn’t fit the typical mold of a professional athlete.

Burgess finished with a .295 career batting average, 126 home runs, and 673 RBIs, making his mark as one of the best pinch hitters in baseball history. Teams valued his knack for coming off the bench and delivering clutch hits, especially during those final seasons with the Chicago White Sox.

He swung left-handed, picked up nine All-Star selections, and helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the World Series in 1960.

Looking at Burgess’ career, you see how a small-town kid from Caroleen, North Carolina, became a respected catcher and pinch-hitting specialist who really left his mark on the game. He started out learning baseball in his hometown and went on to set records as a pinch hitter.

Burgess’ journey through pro baseball is a story of determination and skill, showing what it took to succeed as the sport moved into a new era.

Early Life and Path to the Majors

Forrest Harrill “Smoky” Burgess was born on February 6, 1927, in Caroleen, North Carolina, a tiny textile town in Rutherford County.

His path from the foothills of the Smoky Mountains to Major League Baseball started with strong family support and a natural hitting talent that became obvious in high school.

Family Background and Childhood in North Carolina

Smoky Burgess grew up in Caroleen, a small town in western North Carolina’s Rutherford County. His parents, Lloyd Luther Burgess and Ocie Lewis Burgess, raised him there.

His dad worked as a weaver in the textile industry and also played semipro baseball. That combination meant young Forrest got exposed to the game early, following his dad to ballfields.

People have tossed around a few ideas about where his “Smoky” nickname came from. Some say it’s because of the nearby Smoky Mountains. Others think it came from his dad or maybe his not-so-blazing speed on the bases.

As a kid, Burgess rooted for the Yankees and especially looked up to catcher Bill Dickey. He could tune in to their games on the radio, which probably nudged him toward playing catcher himself.

High School and Early Baseball Influences

Burgess went to Tri High School in Caroleen, playing infield and batting leadoff. His coach was Forrest Hunt, who’d caught in the Yankees’ minor league system and gave him some key advice.

Hunt told him, “You’ll never be a hitter unless you swing the bat.” Burgess took that to heart and kept swinging aggressively throughout his career.

Besides high school ball, Smoky played for the Shelby and Forest Hills American Legion teams from 1942 to 1944. These teams gave him more chances to face tough competition and get noticed.

His strong American Legion play built his reputation as a hitter. Those extra games let him sharpen his batting against better pitchers.

Signing as an Amateur Free Agent and Minor League Success

In 1943, Burgess signed with the St. Louis Cardinals as an amateur free agent. But Commissioner Landis voided the deal, saying Burgess was too young.

A year later, the Chicago Cubs offered him a contract. Burgess later said he agreed, at least partly, because the Cubs also showed interest in his brother Grady.

After serving in the military from 1945 to 1946, Burgess came back to baseball. He won two straight minor league batting titles that put him on the map.

Minor League Batting Titles:

• 1947: .387 batting average, Tri-State League (Fayetteville)
• 1948: .386 batting average, Southern Association (Nashville)

He hit so well in the Tri-State League and Southern Association that people realized he could handle tougher competition. Those performances earned him a call-up to the Cubs for the 1949 season.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Smoky Burgess played pro baseball for 18 seasons, from 1949 to 1967. He built a reputation as one of the most consistent hitters out there.

He played for five different teams, moving from a starting catcher to one of baseball’s best pinch hitters, all while keeping a .295 career batting average.

Debut and Career Timeline (1949-1967)

Burgess made his big league debut on April 19, 1949, with the Chicago Cubs at age 22.

His career took him through several organizations as teams realized just how valuable his bat could be.

The Philadelphia Phillies picked up Burgess in 1952 in a trade involving Andy Seminick. He spent four solid seasons there, from 1952 to 1955, sharing time with right-handed hitter Stan Lopata.

In 1955, Burgess headed back to the Cincinnati Reds in another trade for Seminick. This time, he got regular playing time as their main catcher.

The Pittsburgh Pirates landed Burgess in 1959 as part of a big trade that also brought Harvey Haddix and Don Hoak to Pittsburgh. Burgess helped the Pirates win the World Series in 1960, hitting .333 in that seven-game thriller.

He finished his career with the Chicago White Sox after they acquired him in late 1964 during a pennant race. Burgess stayed in Chicago until he retired on October 1, 1967, at age 40.

Roles as Catcher and Pinch Hitter

Burgess started out as a catcher, showing solid defensive chops in his early years. He led National League catchers in fielding percentage three times (1953, 1960, 1961) and finished with a .988 career fielding percentage.

He caught some memorable games, including May 26, 1959, when Harvey Haddix threw a perfect game into the 13th inning against the Milwaukee Braves. Burgess was behind the plate for that historic, if heartbreaking, performance.

As he got older, Burgess shifted into a pinch hitter role, especially during his last years with the White Sox. From 1964 to 1967, he caught in only seven games, focusing almost entirely on pinch hitting.

That move paid off. Burgess set the major league record for career pinch hits with 145, a record that stood until Manny Mota broke it in 1979. He also hit 16 home runs and drove in 147 runs as a pinch hitter.

Batting Performance and Key Milestones

Throughout his 18-year career, Burgess put up some impressive numbers. His .295 career batting average ranked him among the top hitting catchers in history, sitting 13th among all catchers as of 2024.

His best season came in 1954 with the Phillies, when he batted .368 in 108 games. That year, he made his first All-Star team and established himself as a top hitting catcher in the National League.

Key career stats:

• 1,318 career hits
• 126 home runs
• 673 RBIs
• .362 on-base percentage
• Only 270 strikeouts in 18 seasons

Burgess had some big moments, like July 29, 1955, when he hit three home runs and drove in nine runs in a single game against the Pirates. He picked up All-Star nods in six seasons (1954, 1955, 1959-1961, 1964).

He showed great plate discipline, walking 477 times and striking out just 270 times. Not many power hitters can say that.

Teams and Notable Transactions

Smoky Burgess played for five big league teams over his 18-year career. Trades shaped his journey, with some notable deals involving Andy Seminick and moves that helped build championship contenders.

Chicago Cubs and Early Trades

The Chicago Cubs signed Burgess as an amateur free agent in 1944. He broke into the majors on April 19, 1949, at age 22.

After two seasons with limited at-bats, the Cubs traded Burgess on October 4, 1951. He and Bob Borkowski went to the Cincinnati Reds for Johnny Pramesa and Bob Usher.

That trade kicked off Burgess’s frequent moves around the National League. The Cubs let him go, not realizing his potential as one of baseball’s best pinch hitters.

Philadelphia Phillies Years

Burgess didn’t stay long in Cincinnati. On December 10, 1951, the Reds traded him, along with Connie Ryan and Howie Fox, to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Phillies got Burgess in exchange for Andy Seminick, Eddie Pellagrini, Dick Sisler, and Niles Jordan. In Philly, Burgess had some of his most productive seasons.

From 1952 to 1955, he became a reliable catcher and a dangerous hitter. He posted strong averages and earned a reputation for clutch hits.

The Phillies traded him back to Cincinnati on April 30, 1955. They sent Burgess, Steve Ridzik, and Stan Palys to the Reds for Andy Seminick, Glen Gorbous, and Jim Greengrass.

Cincinnati Reds Acquisitions and Impact

Burgess returned to Cincinnati in 1955 and stayed through 1958. This second stint went much better than his first.

He blossomed into a National League All-Star. Sure, his stocky build earned him some nicknames, but his bat did the talking.

On January 30, 1959, the Reds traded Burgess to the Pittsburgh Pirates, along with Harvey Haddix and Don Hoak. In return, Cincinnati got Whammy Douglas, Jim Pendleton, Frank Thomas, and John Powers.

That trade worked out for both Burgess and the Pirates. He became a key piece of their 1960 World Series team.

Stint with the Chicago White Sox

The Pittsburgh Pirates placed Burgess on waivers, and the Chicago White Sox picked him up on September 12, 1964. That move brought him to the American League for the final chapter of his career.

With the White Sox, Burgess kept doing his thing as a veteran catcher and pinch hitter. He hit .286 and .313 in 1965 and 1966, proving he still had it even in his late thirties.

The White Sox released him on October 17, 1966, but brought him back for the 1967 season. Unfortunately, his last year didn’t go well—he batted just .133 before hanging up his spikes.

Chicago released Burgess again on October 16, 1967, which ended his playing days. He wrapped up his career with 1,318 hits and a .295 average across 18 big league seasons.

Achievements and Accolades

Smoky Burgess earned a spot as one of baseball’s best catchers and pinch hitters over his 18-year run. He grabbed nine All-Star selections and helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1960 World Series.

All-Star Selections and Notable Games

Burgess made the All-Star team in six seasons, playing in nine All-Star games between 1954 and 1964. His first nod came in 1954 with the Phillies, after he hit a wild .368 in 108 games.

He picked up back-to-back All-Star spots in 1954 and 1955 with Philadelphia. When he went back to Cincinnati, he kept up the pace, earning selections from 1959 to 1961 with the Reds and Pirates.

From 1959 to 1962, MLB held two All-Star games each year, so Burgess got to appear in a few extra contests during his peak.

His last All-Star appearance came in 1964 with Pittsburgh. On defense, Burgess led National League catchers in fielding percentage three times (1953, 1960, and 1961).

One of his most memorable games came on July 29, 1955. He blasted three home runs and drove in nine runs against the Pirates while playing for Cincinnati.

World Series Champion with Pittsburgh Pirates

Burgess reached the top with the Pittsburgh Pirates, winning the 1960 World Series against the heavily favored Yankees. That series went the full seven games and stands out as one of baseball’s all-time classics.

During the World Series, Burgess came through at the plate, batting .333 over the seven games. His steady hitting helped the Pirates take down the Yankees’ powerful lineup.

That 1960 championship capped off Burgess’s best years in Pittsburgh. He served as the team’s main catcher during that run, working alongside guys like Harvey Haddix and Don Hoak.

Burgess had joined the Pirates in 1959 in a trade that brought him, Haddix, and Hoak from Cincinnati. That move helped Pittsburgh build a team ready to win it all.

His World Series win still stands as the signature moment of his career, showing how he could deliver when it mattered most.

Career as a Pinch Hitter and Defensive Record

Burgess made a name for himself as one of baseball’s best pinch hitters, all while staying steady behind the plate. He racked up 145 career pinch hits, which set a major league record that lasted more than a decade. And yeah, his catching skills? Those earned him several All-Star nods.

Major League Pinch Hit Records

During his 18-year run from 1949 to 1967, Burgess changed how people saw the pinch hitting job. He picked up 145 pinch hits in 507 pinch hit at-bats, putting his name in the record books until 1979.

Red Lucas held the previous record with 114 pinch hits, but Burgess blew past that and kept the record for 12 years. Manny Mota finally edged him out with 150.

Pinch hitting isn’t easy. Players might sit for days, then suddenly have to face pitchers they barely know, often with the game on the line.

Burgess hit .295 over 18 seasons, showing off his steady bat. His knack for pinch hitting really came in handy in his later years with the Pirates and White Sox.

Defensive Performance and Fielding Percentage

Behind the plate, Burgess stayed reliable year after year. At 5-foot-8 and 185 pounds, he fit the demanding catcher’s role pretty well.

He earned six All-Star selections while playing for three different National League teams. Teams like the Cubs, Phillies, Reds, and Pirates counted on him for his defense.

His catching ability balanced out his offensive game. Managers trusted him to guide their pitching staffs and still deliver at the plate.

With strong defense and a solid bat, Burgess brought a complete package to the field. He managed to catch regularly and still step in as a pinch hitter when called.

Comparison to Contemporaries

Burgess stood apart from other catchers of his time because of his pinch hitting record. While guys like Ed Bailey and Bill Dickey got noticed mainly for their defense, Burgess did both—he caught and pinch hit, and did it well.

He hit 126 home runs, which was pretty solid for a catcher in the 1950s and 60s. Not many catchers from that era matched his mix of starting and pinch hitting skills.

Manny Mota eventually broke Burgess’s pinch hit record, but Mota mostly played outfield and focused on pinch hitting. Burgess’s achievement feels different, since he did it while being a regular catcher for much of his career.

That record says a lot about Burgess’s adaptability and baseball smarts. He shifted from being a starting catcher to an elite pinch hitter, showing just how sharp his approach at the plate really was.

Legacy, Post-Playing Career, and Personal Life

Smoky Burgess left the game with a record 145 career pinch-hits, then jumped into scouting with the Atlanta Braves. People recognized his impact with hall of fame inductions in both North Carolina and Cincinnati.

Honors and Hall of Fame Inductions

Burgess picked up some big honors for his outstanding career. The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame brought him in back in 1978, calling him one of the state’s top athletes.

Three years earlier, the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame had already inducted him in 1975, marking his contributions to the Reds.

He finished with a .295 career batting average, which put him 10th among Major League catchers as of 2006. That’s a strong showing for anyone behind the plate.

Burgess made nine All-Star teams, and his 145 career pinch hits still stand out as clutch. He led National League catchers in fielding percentage three times—in 1953, 1960, and 1961.

Atlanta Braves Scouting and Coaching

After hanging up his glove, Burgess spent years with the Atlanta Braves as a scout and a minor league batting coach.

He worked with the Pulaski Braves in Pulaski, Virginia, passing along his hitting know-how to younger players.

Burgess brought 18 years of major league experience to his coaching duties. He’d been a successful pinch-hitter, so his advice carried some weight with up-and-coming batters.

Moving from player to coach just made sense for Burgess. He understood hitting mechanics and game situations, which made him a pretty effective instructor.

Influence on Teammates, Family, and Baseball

Forrest Harrill Burgess inspired countless players during his career and even after he retired. Younger players really looked up to his work ethic and how he carried himself professionally.

Burgess played alongside some pretty notable teammates and coaches. He always seemed to deliver in clutch situations, and that earned him a ton of respect from others around the league.

He was born in Caroleen, North Carolina, and he never lost his connection to his home state. Honestly, his success helped open doors for other North Carolina players who wanted to make it in pro baseball.

Future generations studied his pinch-hitting skills like they were an art form. Plenty of players tried to copy how he came off the bench when everything was on the line.

Burgess stuck around in the sport for a long time, showing just how much adaptability and a willingness to improve can matter.