Bob Burks, Itinerant Minor Leaguer

A new story by Mark Rucker

Bob Burks with Sioux City, Iowa — one of his three Old Judge cards

Baseball players have a hard life. Not superstars, I’m saying, but regular players, journeymen. They deal with continuous uncertainty. And these uncertainties are both separate and intertwined. Will my skills maintain and maybe improve? Can I go injury-free this season? Where will I play next year? Who wants my job now — and how much younger is he? How long can I last with my present salary?

We do have countless biographies, stories and legends about players’ lives. They are chronicled in a certain way, following established informational patterns. But we seldom see INTO players’ lives: their communications, their interactions with other players and with management. This is not surprising since such personal information seldom lands in the public record.

I mention this because an unpublished collection of letters, both personal and professional, gives an informative glimpse into the affairs of a late 19th-century ballplayer. I received the collection in the form of photocopies, most of which are still legible. The group came from a rare-book friend in Syracuse, New York — Bruce Johnson. That was thirty years ago. I finally transcribed the hand-written missives and have organized them chronologically to tell a story about Robert E. Burks. Unlike most archives of personal correspondence, all the documents were addressed TO Mr. Burks. We do not know exactly what Burks communicated to his friends, family members, or employers. But by reading the replies we can easily interpolate his inquiries and declarations.

I was both confused and amused by the baseball lingo along with the near-illiteracy of some of the writers. (I also noted the speed of the US Mail system ten years before the 20th millennium.) The chronology begins in 1884 with notices and inquiries from family members, including encouragement and local baseball news from Burks’s presumed hometown of Montgomery, Alabama.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE

8/7/84 from brother WO Burks / WP Burks Hardware letterhead, Montgomery AL

Dear Bro -

I rec’d your welcome letter this morning. was very glad to hear from you. I will send your trunk this evening … the guys are getting in fine trim for Louisville. … Tell me if you are interested to stay over there the rest of the season, that is play ball the rest of the season. … W.O. Burks

5/2/85 from WO Burks, brother / WP Burks Hardware letterhead, Montgomery AL

Dear Bro -

I rec’d your welcome letter this morning and was truly glad to hear from you. I also read some papers yesterday, and glad to see that you are playing fine ball. I saw by the [box] score that you had the best score. I hope you will continue to make a fine score in all your games.… The Monty Greys and True Blues leave tomorrow morning for Mobile. We are in fine trim.… Col. Ruse has been betting on the Blues beating us now. There will be a large crowd at Mobile to see us drill. I guess there will be over 1000 there.… There are two 10 cent, 15 cent and 25 cent shows in town at present. neither is any good. WO Burks

8/24/88 from WO Burks, brother / WP Burks Hardware letterhead, Montgomery AL

Dear Bro —

The Georgetown BBC will play their games next week 28–29–30 and Sunday, if the law don’t object.… Monty is trying to get crazy about “BB” if you can get hold of the Engineer of today, 24, I will send your trunk to Louisville in care of the Montgomery Greys.… I will see the Louisvilles and Columbus play next Tuesday and Wednesday. I must close, hoping that the “Stars” will “down every team they tackle.” WO Burks

Second of three Old Judge cards for Robert E. Burks, Shortstop, Sioux City Corn Huskers

And a chiding from his father.

9/6/88 from WP Burks’s father / WP Burks Hardware letterhead Montgomery AL

My dear son -

… Will be glad to see you My Boy are OK. I will send you letters that I opened to see if I could hear from you and try to decide if I could [know] where you had disappeared to, as I had imagined all sorts of ways you could have been taken off.… WP Burks

PROFESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE

The search for work begins in 1887. Burks is still in the deep South. This first message contains suspicious overtones.

3/19/87 Nashville Base Ball Association, Southern League

Dear Sir -

Mr. Bradly informed me that you telegraphed him you would report on Friday but later you telegraphed you were sick and could not report. Now let us hear by telegram when we may expect you or if we may expect you as we need you badly and must have you here. In hopes that you will without delay report here at once…. Very respectfully yours, Jos. P. Osborne, Sec + Treas

We do find Burks playing for Nashville in the Southern League in 1887, playing 61 games, hitting .290. He finished the season with Birmingham, also of the Southern, hitting .343. He then moved to St. Joseph in the Western League for the 1888 campaign, but the team disbanded midseason.

Player to player correspondence follows. Always looking for a job requires a flow of information.

Ollie Beard

7/18/87 from Ollie B. [presumably Ollie Beard, who played shortstop for Syracuse in 1887–1888], Hotel Candee, Syracuse

Glad to see you are doing so well. Now if you will practice at third base every chance you get so you get used to play the bag. I will get you up here with me where you can get about $1200 next year. Your friend, Ollie B.

12/7/87 from Jas. L. Clinton [presumably James Lawrence “Jim” Clinton, who played for Birmingham in 1887 at age 36 and whose league career began with the Brooklyn Eckfords in 1872], Brooklyn, NY

Old Stuff

Your letter to hand and contents noted. I have done as you asked me but could not fetch. They have there [sic] last season’s third baseman — first — right fielder — and pitcher. They want men that is well known in the profesh — if I had my way I would have given your man a chance for I believe him to be a good one as you say But Bob you know I have to please the bosses in some motions. Possibly I may have a chance after the season commences … I had letter from George Stallings. he says he expects to do well. Bob excuse this short note as I must away to N.Y. on business. Your true friend, Jas. L. Clinton

Jim Clinton with Syracuse, 1877

7/16/88 from VM Haynes, Selma AL

Dear Bob

Briggs spent Sunday with me and said you were in Montgomery — Bob this town is alive at present. Encampment going on and a great many of the Old Boys are here and if you will come I would be glad if you could run over tomorrow Tuesday. will try to make you have a great time — will meet you at the Depot. Also there will be great ball played here Tuesday. Wed. Thursday and no doubt you could make a good thing of it, as everyone here is stuck on your playing — event out to camp this week and witnessed a prize drill. of course, my company was first. VM Haynes

Ned Bligh, with Columbus in 1889

8/18/88 from Ed Bligh — Cincinnati — Walnut St Hotel

Friend Bob -

… I tell you this is a great city. I never saw such a place. talk about beer, why you could live on it here. I bet we could have some fun. … Morlic [maybe George Moolic of the 1886 Chicago White Stockings] is in town but I have not seen him in two days. I guess he is in a trance somewhere. He went to Dayton with the Shamrocks Club. he made nine or ten dollars and I suppose you know the rest.… I was out with Goldsby the other night — we beat them 4 to 3, 14 innings yesterday. What do you think of it — our team played 12 innings Saturday, 15 innings Sunday and 14 innings Tuesday. The people are getting the worth of their money.… Yours affectionately, Ed Bligh [big leaguer Edwin Forrest “Ned” Bligh, with the Reds in ’88].

**[NOTE: **From Sporting Life, Oct 31, 1888, SYRACUSE: “The sale of Beard leaves a gap in the Star infield that will be hard to fill, but already a number of names have been suggested. In looking over the list of valuable men for the position the attention of the directors is respectfully called to Bob Burks, of the Birmingham and New Orleans clubs of the Southern League. This player is said to be an unusu­ally strong man in the position. Olllie Beard speaks many words of praise for Burks and is satisfied that he would please the directors and give a good account of himself should he be secured.”]

8/29/88 from Wm. Stickney — Jackson, Michigan [he had played with Bob Burks, Ed Dundon, and Ollie Beard on the 1886 Acid Iron Earths club from Mobile]

Friend Bob -

Your letter was handed me this morning as I came down for breakfast. Must say you was quite a while answering — but I know how it is, traveling & different cities and the excitement it creates — keeps you guessing. About next season prospects are lovely and I can get you over to Manager Alberts who I played for last season — is going to have a team in Montreal Canada. he asked me not to sign with any one else and wants me to pick out some players for him also. Manager Woods of the Toledos also wants me to play 3rd for him. He says he will have the Syracuse Stars. he is an eastine (?) and a hustler. had the Washington team a while this spring…. I had my little finger broken yesterday. got hit by a batted ball on the foot. the hardest work I ever got in my life but am all service today! … Dundon [Ed Dundon, a mute pitcher] pitched his first game the other day and lost it. He is with Columbus. Ratsy Caldwell has been released by them. I got a letter from Ed Reader [maybe Icicle Reeder] asking me to get on here, but they would not sign him. he offered to play for one hundred a month. Dick pitched a game for us Saturday and won it. had as nice control as he was pitching every day. they wanted him to sign but he refused. he says he is going to wait til next year when his arm will be all right. … We leave here to-morrow night for Columbus to play five games during the Exposition. Regards, Wm. Stickney

Ed “Dummy” Dundon, with Nashville in 1886

8/29/88 from Jas. D. Curtis [Jim Curtiss, who batted .407 for Hastings in 1887] Rapid City, SD

Friend Bob —

How is this for the wild and wooly west? Do you think you would like it up in this country? I do very much. … I got froze out in Kansas City. I couldn’t fill Cartwright’s place (Ed Cartwright?) if I had favor. like this ‘Jenson’ they are all stuck on him in this City and he is such a favorite. He is a very nice fellow but can’t hit anything low and the pitchers are all onto him. he can play a good first base. I see your friend Stallings is going to offer the same terms … if he don’t send it to me I will be very disappointed in him for I always thought he was fair to me and the other players.... I know you good enough to know you are not suffering…. Since I left Hastings after the way I got treated in that City. lost what was coming to me — $177. and $75. more. Oh, but I am a sucker. Yours truly, Jas. D. Curtis

Letters from management and colleagues. Salary discussions and negotiations. The back and forth increases.

Jim Curtiss (Curtis, above)

**10/17/88 **from Jas. E. Powell, Richmond, VA

Friend Bob

I will Except [sic] proposition but I will not since contract until 1st Nov. en [sic] fact can do nothing until then of wich [sic] the League meeting will be over and I will commence at once to secure my team for next season. so you will here [sic] from me in a few days and Enclosed Contract. wishing you Success and best regards. from your old friend, J.E. Powell [Jim Powell played for two big-league clubs in 1884–1885 and Sioux City in 1888]

James Edwin Powell, Manager and 1st Base, Sioux City Corn Huskers

1/2/89 from John C. Shelley, Stockton, Calif. — California League

R.E. Burks — Dear Sir -

I received yours of the 18th last evening and was very much disappointed as well as greatly surprised with its contents, as from the reputation which Harry Howard had given you, I had not the least doubt that you would be here and confidently counted on winning the pennant chiefly with Baker [Norm, AA, 1883, ’85, ’90], Whitehead [Milt, UA 1884], [Jim] Behan, [Will] Stickney, Howard and yourself. As the matter now stands if you have accepted money from Sioux City I do not suppose you will come and speaking as an individual and not a Secretary of this club I would strongly advise you not to leave them in the lurch. If you have accepted their money and they will release you by repaying it, while this Club as a Club cannot advance you any money, if the amount is a reasonable one I will lend it to you individually. If they will not release you as I said before you had better take the chances of any action on our part and go with them. So far as releasing you is concerned we will not do that but at the same time will not take any measures to injure you as a ball player or as a man and will not brand you as a contract breaker. The best that can be done for you at least is that you will not be ordered to report at present and perhaps before we call on you the club to which you are going may go up — a habit those minor league clubs of yours back East have — and then you can come. We want to be able to prevent your playing in any other club out here at any time before giving us a show. As you doubtless understand we are not under the National Agreement and any action we could possibly take would not affect your playing in the East. If you can get out of this trouble I think for your own sake you had better come. You are not tied down for life to be bought and sold like a prize pig but at the end of the season you can go where you please, the single exception being that no local manager will offer you any inducements till your home club is out of the market. We do not need the protection of any agreement to keep our men. They can jump up and go East any time they wish — we black list them so far as we are concerned and that is all. All the protection this league has ever required is that they treat their players and the certainty that they will get their pay. I received the contract with Stickney last evening and I am afraid now that he will not come either when he knows you are not coming. That will leave me in a very bad position indeed, I do not know positively that he will not be on hand but as you wanted to play with him the chances are that way. I wish you would see him and find positively if he is coming since you are not. And you know our season is much longer than yours and perhaps we may need you badly by the first of October or the middle of September — our rules being that we cannot engage an Eastern player who is not here by Oct 1st and if we do you can try to get away before the season ends and winds up with us. I hope you will meet with success wherever you play and will be pleased to hear from you occasionally. Respectfully John C Shelley

Stockton Base Ball Club in 1889

3/13/89 from J. W. Stokes, Worcester, Mass.

Dear Robt.

I came here via Boston and you can bet the trip on the steamer was rough … I am well pleased with W — it is the boss town and the girls with their rosy cheeks are immense, but I need you in my business. Can’t you come and play with the Worcesters. they are very much in need of players, short + 3B. I can play a better 3B than the fellow they have his name is Goodwyn. The players they have are Jno Meister (John Meister, Mets AA) 2B. T Campion 1B, Goodwyn 3B, Schefer (Ted Scheffler NL+ AA) LF, Innis CF, Moran SS, Lawrence Daniels (Law Daniels AA 87–88), Dick Conway P (AA + NL, 1886–1888), James Stafford (PL 90, NL 1893–1899), John Buckley (PL 90; or is it Jesse Burkett, HOFer who signed with Worcester in ’89?). You may know some of these fellows. Did Stickney pay with Wilkes-Barre last season or was it in N.Y. I had an idea asking the manager of this team to let me play 3d. His name is Burnhead [Walter Burnham]I will mention your name if you wish me. Send me some news. J.W. Stokes

**[NOTE: **From a SABR bio of Sioux City’s Ed Glenn: “Still only 28 years old as a new season approached, the ever-hopeful Glenn signed with the Sioux City (Iowa) Corn Huskers of the Western Association and turned in the one truly standout year of his professional career. He accomplished this despite a harrowing incident that almost brought an abrupt end to his season. In the seventh inning of a July 1 game against Milwaukee, Glenn and shortstop Bob Burks collided while pursuing a pop fly to short left. Glenn was knocked unconscious and taken from the field on a stretcher. He did not reawaken until the following morning, and was believed to have suffered serious internal injuries.”] See below.

Ed “Mouse” Glenn, left field, Sioux City Corn Huskers, 1889

6/14/89 from Wm. Stickney Stockton, CA

Friend Bob

I don’t recollect whether I owe you a letter or not but here goes all the same. Must say I am sorry about your eye hard luck but I guess you are not taking the care of yourself that you ought to a man has to be in good condition to play winning ball we have our two or three good men who would be Association Stars but for their habits instead of Tails in a rotten league like this. About you and Curtis coming out its just as I wrote you in my last I was talking with Hen Moore [Henry Moore, who in his only big-league season, 1884, hit .336] about a team next year + he seems to think you two could get on after the regular season is over That is play on the cooperative plan, … I will do all I can for both of you + Whitey will go. he knows Curtis + is quite a friend of his … I see the Southern League will have to give it up again they couldn’t support a league if they got players for nothing.… but I must say it takes the heart out of a man to see the way these eastern players get out. Regs Wm. Stickney

9/7/89 from SG Morton, Sec Western Assn of Base Ball Clubs letterhead

Dear Sir -

Telegram signed by yourself + other members of St Joseph club duly rec’d. The same has been referred to Chairman Bd Directors of Western Assn as per sec. 47 Constitution. You mention in telegram that you will write particulars the same. I have no record to date. The “Franchise” of the Club will protect players salaries without a doubt. … The Club has only four more games at home + 12 games abroad. The games abroad will net $1500 which will insure part of the salary. … My advice to the players is to act carefully in this matter + I have every reason to say you will be protected. let me hear from you more fully regarding amount salaries due players. Very Resp’y A.G. Morton. Sec.

The ten-team Western Association (1888–1891) is not to be confused with the Western League

10/18/89 from J.E. Powell, manager — Sioux City Base Ball Club letterhead

Friend Bob -

Your letter of the 15th at hand. … I am willing to accept your terms of five hundred per month. Six months contract but could not afford to pay you the amount due you by St Joseph.

Sioux City, Iowa Corn Huskers 1891

11/19/89 from A.M. Thompson St Paul Base Ball Assn letterhead

Robt. Burks — Dear Sir -

Your letter came to me today … if I am not too late I accept your term(s) $1250.00 for the season of 6 months with $150.00 advance when you sign Contract. now answer at once by return mail and I will send money and and Contract. Kansas City will take St Joseph p[l]ace in the Western Association — they have left the American Association to come with us. Yours truly, A. M. Thompson

11/27/89 from A.M. Thompson (Andrew M Thompson, manager St. Paul, UA 1884) Pres + Sec’y — St Paul Base Ball Assn, 294 Congress

Mr. Robt E. Burks

Dear Sir -

Yours of late date at hand. Enclosed find contract — also note — please sign and return to me, and I will at once send you Draft for One Hundred Fifty dollars and then you send me contract all signed We always when we pay players advance money we take their note for the count — and when the player earns the money we return it to him. You will notice in the contract I have scratched out the money for uniforms — but all our players furnish their own shoes. Now you sign the note and send it at once to me, and I will send you the money $1500. About 3d base I have signed one his name is Jim Phillips [Ira B. Phillips]. he has a batting average of .334. I have also accepted terms of a 2d baseman. his name is Joe Cantillon. our team will be stronger in every way next season … I think the Western Association will be as strong as the American Assn. I have also signed James Glasscock brother of Jack Glasscock — he is great in the outfield. … Let me hear from you. A.M. Thompson

Hoss Radbourn, 1887

11/29/89 from Jas. D Curtis (Jim Curtiss) letterhead Denver Base Ball and Athletic Assn. Dave Rowe manager and sec’y

Friend Bob

Letter arrived yesterday and in it you said you were going to hold off until spring before signing And last night I got a Denver paper which contained all players signed by the Western Assn. And you were booked to go to St Paul. I am in hope you got your own lines. Am satisfied you did as I know you are a good one at making terms. Write me full particulars where you work. I have not signed yet and in no rush. I am working for VanFort [Van Horn store] — like it very well better than loafing and going up against the booze which would be very natural for me as I take to it like a fish to water. We are expecting to do great things next season. Would like to give you the names of the men which are a-going to sign. But am sworn to secrecy by Mgr Rowe [Dave Rowe]. But Bob we will be heard from next year. Say old man I have two sticks which Old Hoss won’t have the pleasure of breaking [Hoss Radbourn pitching inside?]. Had him limit for me out East — one 56 oz, the other 48 oz Both are to [sic] heavy. Got them oiled and up by the heater and Oh I want to make pitchers feel sick when I line them out.… I can’t hit as well as I did after going with Denver St Louis & Boston. Both were here Ryan and O’Brine [sic] Ryan of Chicago [Jimmy Ryan] and O’Brine of the Brooklyns [Darby O’Brien]. Baldwin of the Columbus club [Kid Baldwin 1884–1890 UA, AA, NL] was expected but got Full and bushed — so reported. Boston went to the coast and St Louis are going to leave in the AM for the South — New Orleans. They are going to play a week. Very truly yours, Jas. Curtis

Third of three Burks cards in the Old Judge series (N172)

12/16/89 from Harry Howard Stockton, CA

Friend Bob -

Evidently you will be surprised in receipt of this letter. But I am writing in the interest of the Stockton BBC. I presume you have received the letter written you by Mr Campbell or Shelley, the head people of this concern. They want me to point out to you the benefit you will derive from by coming out here. In the first place Bob they do not pay as large a salary as you can get out east, but the season is longer here and the season lasts eight months. so you can see this amounts to $1000. for the season. I am sure you can get $135 one thirty five by asking for it. They say they would pay that much. Bob $135 would amount to $1080. Say you got $175 in the east — it would amount to $1050 — less than you can get here. There is never a team busted in this league — they have always paid their dollars to the dollar — good as gold. Consequently there will be more money in it for you here. We only play two games a week as you will see by the papers, and it is one of the nicest towns I ever played in. The crowds at the games here are principally ladies and if a man tries to behave himself he can have anything he wants.… They say they want to pay big salaries, I don’t know what to say about that. But I believe they offered you $125 per month. … You will find as nice a crowd of boys as you can wish to meet … we will also have a good team. Baker and Stallings [George Stallings] as one battery Harper and Stockwell [Len Stockwell, NL 1879, AA 1884, NL 1890] as another. and on the bases Whitehead at 3rd — Behan 2nd — Selna first — Howard right field — Moon [Henry Moore? UA 1884] center … I presume you have heard of Whitehead [Milt, UA 1884]. Bob he is the king of them all at third — the only man I have ever seen who could touch him at that position is Denny [Jerry Denny]. Of course Denny has more experience but he can make a monkey of Jerry on ground balls. I never seen anything like him. Of course, you know Baker of Nashville fame. Selna is big greaser and a first class man on first … Write me and let me know what you think about it.

I am yours, Harry Howard

P.S. Bob would it be asking too much of you to write to Duffy [from Memphis of the Southern League? or Charlie Duffee, from Alabama and AA/NL 1889–1893?] and Behan and let them know how things stand here.

And finally, success.

12/25/89 from Jas. Curtis (Jim Curtiss), Denver Colo W.L. Van Horn letterhead

Friend Bob,

Will begin by wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And trying to excuse my lateness in answering last received from you. You will perhaps appreciate my tardiness when I explain that I have been working in a local store. That is what Van Horn has developed into. And to say I have to work hard is putting it mild. Will have worked every night until 12. About playing ball old man I see where your contract has been approved and now you are a full fledged member of the St Paul Club for 1890. Hope you will prove to be a profitable acquisition to the same. Rowe is not in a rush to sign players as yet. But Bob I am getting rather short and want a little stuff. We expect to have a winner in Colo. in 90. Would like to see a first to SPs (St Paul’s) second. Don’t think we are stuck on the flag, or we only want second or third. we expect Whilst and Flood here soon. And when they get here we will go to Glenwood Springs to get into harmony. Well goodby old friend. Hope to see you in 90. Always your friend, Jim

See transcription below

3/6/90 from A.M. Thompson , Pres & Sec — St. Paul Base Ball Assn.

Mr R.E. Burks

Dear Sir

I am doing a little advertising and working up the interest here. I wish you would send me your photograph by return mail as the Pictures of All the Players of the St Paul Club will be put in the St Paul papers &c. I would like you to be sure and be here not later than April 10th for practice. We are going to play some exhibition games with Minneapolis. Yours truly, A.M. Thompson

[NOTE: Finally, this, a continuing connection of Burks and Curtiss, from The Savannah Morning News (GA) on January 20, 1892.]

Burks and Curtiss, reunited; Savannah Morning News, January 20, 1892

R.E. Burks, manager, Savannah Furniture Company, January 25, 1896 (Savannah Times)