1976 Topps #360 - Jeff Burroughs

• Jeff Burroughs was the first player taken in the 1969 draft. He played at the rookie league level in 1969 and then spent most of the next three seasons with AAA Denver. Jeff came up for a look in 1970 and batted .167 in 12 at bats.

• In 1971 Jeff was brought up in late July. He batted .232 in 58 games in '71. Burroughs spent most of the 1972 season in Denver. Jeff was brought up in September and batted .185 in 22 games.

• Burroughs stayed with the Rangers in 1973 and began to hit for power at the major league level. Jeff batted .279 with 30 HR and 85 RBI in 1973. Burroughs had his best season in 1974. He was named AL MVP as he batted .301 with 25 HR and a league-leading 118 RBI. Jeff started in left field for the American League in the All Star game and walked twice. Jeff Burroughs: Best of the Young Power Hitters - October 1974 Baseball Digest

• Burroughs continued to hit for power in 1975 -- he hit 29 home runs and had 94 RBI -- but his batting average dropped to .226 and he led the AL with 155 strikeouts. Jeff hit only 18 HR in 1976 and batted .237. After the 1976 season Jeff was traded to the Atlanta Braves for five players and $250,000. Why the Rangers Traded Jeff Burroughs - June 1977 Baseball Digest.

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  Jeff had a great first year with the Braves. He hit 41 HR, batted .277, and had 114 RBI. In 1978 Burroughs made the NL All Star team (he didn't play) and led the NL with 117 walks and a .432 on base percentage. He batted .301 with 23 HR and 77 RBI.

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  In 1979 Jeff was injured and didn't play after September 2. He didn't have as good a year, batting .224 with 11 HR and 47 RBI. Burrourghs played in only 99 games in 1980 and batted .263 with 13 HR and 51 RBI. During spring training in 1981 Jeff was traded to the Seattle Mariners for Carlos Diaz. He played one season in Seattle and batted .254 with 10 HR and 41 RBI.

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  Burroughs became a free agent after the 1981 season and signed with the Oakland A's. He bounced back in 1982 and batted .277 with 16 HR and 48 RBI. Jeff became the regular designated hitter for the A's in 1983 and batted .269 with 10 HR and 56 RBI in 121 games.

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  Jeff had a tough year in 1984 and played in only 58 games. He batted .211 in 71 at bats. After the 1984 season Burroughs was purchased by the Toronto Blue Jays. He played one season for the Blue Jays (1985) and batted .257 with 6 HR and 28 RBI in 86 games. Jeff finally got to the post season and struck out in his only time at bat in the ALCS. Burroughs became a free agent after the 1985 season and wasn't signed by anyone. Jeff retired at the age of 34.

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  After his playing career Jeff coached little league when his son Sean (who went on to the majors) was playing and won the championship coaching the Long Beach All Stars in 1992 and 1993. He wrote Jeff Burroughs' Little League Instructional Guide in 1994.

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  Liked to face: Al Fitzmorris (.415 in 53 AB); Luis Tiant (.385 in 39 AB); Stan Bahnsen (.378 in 45 AB)
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  Hated to face: Jackie Brown (.056 in 18 AB); Vern Ruhle (.067 in 30 AB); Charlie Hough (.069 in 29 AB)