Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Jeff Burroughs Born
"When Burroughs reached the majors in 1970 his first manager was Ted Williams. The two sincerely hated one another. One retold by [
~Bill James, The New Bill James Historical Abstract
Burroughs (whose son Sean is currently enjoying a mediocre career with the San Diego Padres) was at his best a truly quality hitter, he won the MVP Award in 1974, in what was his second full season in the Major Leagues. Those first two years he posted an OPS+ of 140 and 161 but perhaps raising expectations he would be a truly great hitter, but Burroughs was never that good in two consecutive seasons again. He ended his career with a still respectable 121 OPS+ and is probably one of the top hundred right fielders of all time (Bill James puts him seventieth). But whether from lack of maturity or just because he was playing over his head, the Jeff Burroughs of 1973 and '74 was not the Jeff Burroughs of his career.
