ROOSTAH vs. BURLEY
May 21, 2008
BURLESON WAS THE TOUGHEST 160 POUNDS TO EVER PLAY THIS GAME! BIG BAD #7 WAS THE EPITOME OF CLASS AND HUSTLE.....ROOSTER GAVE HIS ALL EVERY DAMN PLAY...EVEN WITH A TORN ROTATOR CUFF......HE WAS THE ORIGINAL DIRTDOG....THANKS, MR. BURLESON.......YOU ARE THE REAL DEAL!!! AND HE NEVER GOT PAID $9.2 MILLION......NOT NAMING NAMES.....LUGO......THEY BROKE THE MOLD WHEN THEY MADE RICK BURLESON!!!! LONG LIVE O/G #7!!!! WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU!!!
Rick "ROOSTAH" Burleson, SS, #7 (1974-1980) R/L/F....
1346 Games, 656 Runs, 50 HR, 449 RBI, .328 OBP AL All Star 1977-79, 1981
 One of my personal favorites, Rick Burleson was a scrappy Red Sox shortstop of the 1970's. Rick "Rooster" Burleson was a Red Sox first round draft pick in 1970. He made his major league debut with the Red Sox on May 4, 1974. Eventually he would end up being considered one of the best defensive shortshops in the history of the Boston Red Sox, playing in 1031 games (24th best), scoring 514 runs and amassing 1114 (19th best).
Rooster was an intense hard working player who won the hearts of Red Sox Nation. He was the starting shortstop during the magical 1975 season. Burleson hit over .290 in both 1976 and 1977, and was 2nd to Jim Rice among team hit leaders in 1977 with 194 base hits. In 1979 Burleson won a Gold Glove. From 1975 to 1980 Rooster played in at least 145 games and got at least 140 hits each season. Burleson help turn a record setting 147 double plays in 1980.
In one of the most unpopular moves in Red Sox history, Burleson was traded in December 1980 to the California Angels along with Butch Hobson for Carney Lansford, Rick Miller, and Mark Clear. Burleson then played with the Angels from 1980-1984 before finishing up his major league career with the Baltimore Orioles.
Burleson's last few years were tough, as he missed the entire 1985 season with a torn rotator cuff. Burleson came back in 1986 and earned Comeback Player of the Year honors.
However, the trade from Boston to California was a trade Burleson was not happy with. If he had it his way, he would have loved to play his whole career with the Red Sox. "I was disappointed to be traded from Boston after being there for seven years and basically in my prime," said Burleson. "I turned 30 that year and they traded (Fred) Lynn, myself and let Fisk go. That was a front office move through Haywood Sullivan where he got back at us for holding out in early 1976 when that was the first year of free agency.
After just one year removed from baseball, Burleson realized he enjoyed too many things about baseball and wanted to get back into it. The Oakland A's hired Burleson as a roving instructor, and he eventually became their major league hitting coach. Burleson returned as a coach with the Red Sox for the 1992 and 1993 seasons and also managed in both the Dodgers and Mariners organizations before joining the Reds.Today Burleson is still involved in baseball, managing at the Triple A level including several seasons with the Louisville Bats (Cinncinati Reds). He hopes to become a major league manager.
Rick Burleson is one of the best Short Stop's in Boston Red Sox history. He had a fiery temper and always went balls out. Burleson was a true ball player. He played for the Sox from 1974-1980 until some douche bag traded him to the California Angels. He won a Gold Glove in 1979 and was a 4 time All Star.
He was nicknamed "The Rooster" by Don Zimmer and is regarded as one of the greatest defensive shortstops to wear a Boston Red Sox uniform. Rick Burleson played seven years (1974-1980) with the Red Sox. His intensity was unmatched, and the fans loved him for it.
"It was the way I always played and it's reflective of my personality," said Burleson. "It's the way I went about whatever I was doing -- it was just me. I fit in Boston because of the blue-collar work ethic there. The fans appreciated that I gave 100 percent day in and day out."
Among Boston shortstops, "The Rooster" ranks among the top in many offensive categories, including at-bats (4,064 -- ranks first), games played (1,031 -- second), hits (1,071 -- second), total bases (1,473 -- third) and runs scored (514 -- third).
Defensively, in 1979, Burleson took home a Gold Glove and has turned more double plays in Red Sox history than any other shortstop.
Presently, Burleson calls California his home where he lives with his wife, Karen. They have raised four children Tyler, 26, Chad, 23, Kyle, 21, and Lauren 17.
Professionally, Burleson is still working in baseball as the manager of the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Burleson took over the reins last year.
"This is my eighth year managing and I have been fortunate enough be with the Reds the last four years," said Burleson. "When this opportunity was presented to me I jumped at it. Louisville has a great facility, great fans and leads the International League in attendance every year. If you are not going be in the big leagues as a manager this is the best place to be."
Burleson has a dream, just like any minor league player, of being called up to the big leagues to manage. Burleson's name even surfaced this year for the Red Sox managerial post, which ultimately went to Terry Francona.
"Someday I would love to come back as a major league manager to Boston and I think that would be awesome," said Burleson. "I still have the dream of getting the call to go to the big leagues as a manager. At this point it's not something I am obsessed with, but I still have that dream now that my playing days are over. I've enjoyed my opportunity here (Louisville) and I still feel like I have a lot of longevity left with the game."
Burleson, who was the Red Sox first round pick in 1970, made his Boston debut in 1974. Just one year later, he played in the one of the greatest World Series in history. The Red Sox came out on the short end, losing in seven games to the Reds, but Burleson witnessed one of the most famous home runs in baseball history in Game 6 -- Carlton Fisk's famous game-winning dinger in extra innings
"It meant more to me later than it did at the time because at the time I was 24 and I felt like it was something that was going to happen often," Burleson said. "Unfortunately it didn't happen again in my career. Against the Reds, we played basically a Hall of Fame team."
In 1980, Burleson, a four-time all star, was traded from the Red Sox to the California Angels along with Butch Hobson for Carney Lansford, Rick Miller, and Mark Clear. Burleson then played with the Angels from 1980-1984 before finishing up his major league career with the Baltimore Orioles.
Burleson's last few years were tough, as he missed the entire 1985 season with a torn rotator cuff. Burleson came back in 1986 and earned Comeback Player of the Year honors.
However, the trade from Boston to California was a trade Burleson was not happy with. If he had it his way, he would have loved to play his whole career with the Red Sox.
"I was disappointed to be traded from Boston after being there for seven years and basically in my prime," said Burleson. "I turned 30 that year and they traded (Fred) Lynn, myself and let Fisk go. That was a front office move through Haywood Sullivan where he got back at us for holding out in early 1976 when that was the first year of free agency.
"No one had ever done that in Red Sox history although it was history in itself in that free agency became effective that year. As the contracts were coming close to an end he basically got rid of us and broke up the team.
"I was very happy in Boston. I got traded to my hometown and it's not that I didn't make out, but if I were able to make the decision I wouldn't have ever been traded in the first place. That was his doing and it was unfortunate for me."
After finishing up his career with the Orioles, Burleson went to work in public relations for a chiropractic sports trainer. After just one year removed from baseball, Burleson realized he enjoyed too many things about baseball and wanted to get back into it.
The Oakland A's hired Burleson as a roving instructor, and he eventually became their major league hitting coach.
Burleson returned as a coach with the Red Sox for the 1992 and 1993 seasons and also managed in both the Dodgers and Mariners organizations before joining the Reds.
Interestingly enough, it was another former Red Sox shortstop, Tim Naehring, who brought Burleson to the Reds organization. Naehring already had an existing relationship with Burleson, who was a coach with the Sox during Naehring’s playing years.
With his Red Sox connections, "The Rooster" still follows his old team, obviously not to the extent of the Reds, but feels the Sox have a great shot this year.
"I follow the Red Sox, but not like I follow my own team that I work for," said Burleson. "They (Red Sox) are off to a good start and just played real well in two different series against the Yankees. I would have to say if they can stay away from any major injuries then they are going to have a great shot."
Rick Burleson, RBI Legend
ROOSTER RULES!!!
What can be said about Rick Burleson that hasn't already been written? Well, basically anything since nobody writes about Burleson. I figure is was right time that Burly got his due. Here's some nuggets of info regarding RBI Great, Rick Burleson:
The Facts
- Born April 29th 1951
- Nickname was Rooster (we prefer Burly)
- Played in the Big Leagues from 1974-1987
- Four-time All-Star
- Gold Glove winner in 1979
- Was the SS for the 1975 Boston Red Sox, who lost one of the greatest World Series of all-time
- Was stranded on 3rd at the end of the 1978 Divisional Playoff between Boston and New York, the game of the Bucky Dent homer.
To Learn More
Conclusion
Outside of being on the wrong side of two of the most famous events in Major League Baseball history, I'd say Burleson has had quite the career. As an RBI player, he plays a pivotal role on the bench (though he typically starts in the eight spot for me) of the great California Angels team. In the arcade version, Burleson is the leadoff man for the all-time Boston Red Sox team.
-JESTER~RSM
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