Former Pinch-Hitting Star Smoky Burgess, 64, Dies

Smoky Burgess, who set a major league record for pinch-hits during his 17-year career in the 1950s and 1960s, died Sunday. He was 64.

Burgess had 145 pinch-hits, a record until surpassed by Manny Mota of the Dodgers in 1979. Mota had 150 pinch-hits and Burgess’ total is still second. He played for four National League teams before closing his career with the Chicago White Sox and finished with a .295 batting average, 126 home runs and 673 runs batted in. He was a five-time All-Star.

Cause of death was not released.

Forrest Harrill Burgess was born on Feb. 6, 1927, at Caroleen, N.C. He came to the majors in 1949 with the Chicago Cubs. He moved to the Philadelphia Phillies is 1952, went to the Cincinnati Reds in 1955 and to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1959. He played on the Pirate team that won the 1960 World Series.

Burgess joined the White Sox in 1964 and finished his career in 1967. He later was a scout for the Atlanta Braves.

He hit .300 or better five times, but often did not have enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title. His best overall season was 1955, when he hit .301 with 21 homers and 78 RBIs in 442 at-bats.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret; a son, Larry; three brothers; three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.