Burgess Whitehead

Burgess Urquhart Whitehead
(Whitey)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10½", Weight 160 lb.
• School University of North Carolina
• High School Lewiston (NC) High School, Augusta Military Academy
• Debut April 30, 1933
• Final Game September 29, 1946
• Born June 29, 1910 in Tarboro, NC USA
• Died November 25, 1993 in Windsor, NC USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Burgess Whitehead was a backup infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals "Gashouse Gang" club that won the 1934 World Series. He was traded to the New York Giants after the 1935 season and was the team's regular second baseman until World War II. After missing four years while serving in the war, he ended his big league career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1946.

Record

Whitehead holds the all-time record for the most career home runs by a player who homered at only one ballpark: he had 17 homers, all at the Polo Grounds. Next in this category is "Fat Freddie" Fitzsimmons with 14 (also at the Polo Grounds).

Notable Achievements

• 2-time NL All-Star (1935 & 1937)
• NL Singles Leader (1940)
• Won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1934

Further Reading

• C. Paul Rogers III: "Burgess Whitehead", in Charles F. Faber, ed.: The 1934 St. Louis Cardinals: The World Champion Gas House Gang, SABR, Phoenix, AZ, 2014, pp. 223-229. ISBN 978-1-933599-731

Related Sites

• Burgess Whitehead at the SABR Bio Project