Freddie Burdette
- September 15, 1936
- June 1, 2010
- 73 years
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About Freddie Burdette
Freddie Burdette, 73, American baseball player (Chicago Cubs).
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Full Biography
|Freddie Thomason Burdette (September 15, 1936 – June 1, 2010) was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs. Born in Moultrie, Georgia, he batted right-handed and was listed as 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall and 170 pounds (77 kg).
Burdette was signed by the Cubs on June 3, 1954, as an undrafted amateur free agent. He battled his way through the minor leagues before finally making his major-league debut at age 25, pitching in relief in both games of a doubleheader with the Cincinnati Reds at Crosley Field. He induced the first batter he ever faced, Leo Cárdenas, to ground out to second baseman Ken Hubbs. He also retired Gordy Coleman on a groundout before being removed from the game. In the nightcap, Burdette pitched a full inning, allowing a hit but no runs. On September 10, he tallied his first big-league strikeout, fanning slugger Frank Howard. He also earned his first (and only) career save when he finished a 4–1 victory over Philadelphia on September 20. Burdette went on to finish the year with a 3.72 ERA in 92⁄3 innings over 8 games. The next year, he was a late-season call-up from the minors for the Cubs, appearing in four games as a reliever and posting a 3.86 ERA.
Burdette saw his most extensive major-league action in 1964, making 18 appearances out of the bullpen after getting promoted to the big leagues in June. He earned his first major-league win (and only decision) on August 18 against the Phillies in a marathon 16-inning contest at Connie Mack Stadium. Burdette retired six of the seven Phillie batters he faced in the 14th and 15th innings before being removed for a pinch-hitter as the Cubs rallied for two runs in the top of the 16th. Ernie Broglio (famously acquired by the Cubs in exchange for legend Lou Brock) allowed a solo homer in the bottom of the 16th to Clay Dalrymple but held on to save Burdette's only career win.
Burdette pitched in eight more games as a Cub in 1964, including his final appearance on October 2, 1964, against the San Francisco Giants. He hurled two-thirds of an inning, retiring opposing pitcher Bobby Bolin to end the final inning Burdett would pitch in the bigs.
For his career, Burdette was 1–0 in 30 games (all in relief) with one save and a 3.41 ERA. In 341⁄3 innings pitched, he permitted 27 hits, 20 bases on balls and 13 earned runs.
Later life
Following his baseball career, Burdette worked for the United Parcel Service. He died on June 1, 2010, in Albany, Georgia, where he had resided since 1955.
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Sources
- Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_Burdette
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sep 26, 2026
- View article
- View record
- September 29, 2026
- Sep 26, 2026
Trivia & Knowledge· 14 questions
Questions drawn from Freddie Burdette's archived record and the sources above.
1.In which city was Freddie Thomason Burdette born?
- A.Moultrie, Georgiacorrect
- B.Cincinnati, Ohio
- C.Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- D.Chicago, Illinois
The biography explicitly states that Freddie Thomason Burdette was born in Moultrie, Georgia.
Source: biography introduction
2.What was the date of Freddie Thomason Burdette's birth?
- A.August 18, 1964
- B.June 3, 1954
- C.September 15, 1936correct
- D.October 2, 1964
Freddie Thomason Burdette was born on September 15, 1936.
Source: biography introduction
3.For which Major League Baseball team did Freddie Thomason Burdette pitch?
- A.Philadelphia Phillies
- B.Chicago Cubscorrect
- C.San Francisco Giants
- D.Cincinnati Reds
Freddie Thomason Burdette played for the Chicago Cubs during his Major League Baseball career.
Source: biography introduction
4.How did Freddie Thomason Burdette join the Chicago Cubs organization in 1954?
- A.Through a trade with the Reds
- B.As a high-round draft pick
- C.As an undrafted amateur free agentcorrect
- D.As a walk-on during spring training
Freddie Thomason Burdette was signed by the Cubs on June 3, 1954, as an undrafted amateur free agent.
Source: early career section
5.Who was the first batter Freddie Thomason Burdette ever faced in the major leagues?
- A.Gordy Coleman
- B.Ken Hubbs
- C.Frank Howard
- D.Leo Cárdenascorrect
The first batter Freddie Thomason Burdette faced in his major-league debut was Leo Cárdenas.
Source: major-league debut section
6.Against which slugger did Freddie Thomason Burdette record his first big-league strikeout?
- A.Lou Brock
- B.Clay Dalrymple
- C.Frank Howardcorrect
- D.Bobby Bolin
On September 10, 1962, Freddie Thomason Burdette tallied his first big-league strikeout by fanning Frank Howard.
Source: major-league debut section
7.During which year did Freddie Thomason Burdette make his most extensive major-league appearances?
- A.1960
- B.1962
- C.1954
- D.1964correct
Freddie Thomason Burdette saw his most extensive major-league action in 1964, making 18 appearances out of the bullpen.
Source: 1964 season section
8.How many total decisions did Freddie Thomason Burdette have in his major-league career?
- A.Two
- B.Three
- C.Onecorrect
- D.Zero
Freddie Thomason Burdette finished his career with a 1–0 record, representing his only decision.
Source: career statistics section
9.Against which team did Freddie Thomason Burdette earn his only major-league win?
- A.Philadelphia Philliescorrect
- B.Chicago Cubs
- C.San Francisco Giants
- D.Cincinnati Reds
Freddie Thomason Burdette earned his first and only major-league win on August 18, 1964, against the Phillies.
Source: 1964 season section
10.Who was the pitcher that saved Freddie Thomason Burdette's only career win?
- A.Leo Cárdenas
- B.Bobby Bolin
- C.Ernie Brogliocorrect
- D.Ken Hubbs
Ernie Broglio allowed a solo homer but held on to save Freddie Thomason Burdette's only career win.
Source: 1964 season section
11.Against which team did Freddie Thomason Burdette make his final major-league appearance?
- A.Philadelphia Phillies
- B.New York Mets
- C.Cincinnati Reds
- D.San Francisco Giantscorrect
Freddie Thomason Burdette made his final major-league appearance on October 2, 1964, against the San Francisco Giants.
Source: career end section
12.What was the official career ERA of Freddie Thomason Burdette in Major League Baseball?
- A.4.10
- B.3.72
- C.3.41correct
- D.3.86
For his entire major-league career, Freddie Thomason Burdette maintained a 3.41 ERA.
Source: career statistics section
13.What was the total number of appearances Freddie Thomason Burdette made in his major-league career?
- A.18
- B.8
- C.30correct
- D.12
Freddie Thomason Burdette pitched in 30 games over the course of his major-league career.
Source: career statistics section
14.On what date did Freddie Thomason Burdette pass away?
- A.September 15, 2010
- B.June 1, 2010correct
- C.August 18, 2010
- D.October 2, 2010
The biography lists June 1, 2010, as the date of Freddie Thomason Burdette's death.
Source: biography introduction
People who died on June 1
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