Burke Masters

Burke Masters

• School Mississippi State University
• High School Providence Catholic High School

• Born ~1957

Biographical Information

Burke Masters played college baseball at Mississippi State University, appearing in the 1990 College World Series. Before that, he had made the All-Tournament team as a third baseman for the 1990 Southeastern Conference Tournament. However, his baseball dreams ended after his final college season, as he was undrafted and could not find any avenue to pursue the game.

Born and raised in Joliet, IL, he returned there and worked as an actuary for Kemper Insurance and as a ticket manager for the Kane County Cougars. In 1997, he decided to change his life course completely by entering a Catholic seminary in Mundelein, IL and was ordained a priest in 2002. He retained his interest for the game, however, serving as a chaplain for the Chicago Cubs and helping to organize youth sports in the Diocese of Joliet. He adopted the nickname "The Baseball Priest".

In 2023, he published his autobiography entitled: A Grand Slam for God: A Journey from Baseball Star to Catholic Priest.

Further reading

• Burke Masters: A Grand Slam for God: A Journey from Baseball Star to Catholic Priest, Word on Fire Publishing, Des Plaines, IL, 2023. ISBN 978-1685789930