Elmer Burkart

Elmer Robert Burkart
(Swede)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 190 lb.
• School Temple University
• Debut September 14, 1936
• Final Game May 5, 1939
• Born February 1, 1917 in Philadelphia, PA USA
• Died February 6, 1995 in Baltimore, MD USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Pennsylvania native Elmer Burkart was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies out of Temple in 1936. The 19-year-old right-hander was assigned to the Hazleton Mountaineers of the Class A New York-Pennsylvania League, where he went 1-1 in nine appearances before being brought straight up to the Phillies, making his debut September 14,1936. At 19, he was the youngest pitcher in the National League. Elmer appeared in two games with no decisions.

Burkart tread the same path over the next three seasons. In 1937, he was with the Albany Senators of the NYPL, appearing in 31 games with a 6-13 record. In 1938, he went 10-16 in 44 games for the Montgomery Rebels of the Class B Southeastern League and, finally, in 1939, he went 2-9 for the Baltimore Orioles of the International League. Elmer would then be called up to Shibe Park, usually late in the season, with the exception of 1939, during these three years. In 1937, he appeared in seven games with no decisions and in 1938 he pitched ten innings and lost his only decision. In 1939, Elmer won his first and only game in The Show, giving him a career 1-1 record with a 4.93 ERA. He pitched his final game in the majors on May 5, 1939. Burkart signed with the Baltimore Orioles in 1939 and stayed with them until 1944. His final season, 1945, came with the Columbus Red Birds and the Milwaukee Brewers, both of the American Association. He finished his ten-year minor league career with a 47-76 record in 283 appearances. He managed just one year over .500 when he went 5-3 in 1944.

After baseball, Elmer lived in Baltimore, where he worked and lived until his retirement. He died on February 6, 1995 in Baltimore at 78.

Related Sites

• BR Minors page