Leo Burke, Jr.

Year Inducted

1986

Sport

Baseball

Hometown

Hagerstown

Leo Burke, who lettered in basketball, football and baseball at Hagerstown High School, was a member of the 1950-51 Maryland state championship basketball team. He was awarded a football scholarship to VPI (now Virginia Tech), where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He was selected for the “Outstanding Athlete Award” at VPI.

Upon graduation, Leo signed with the Baltimore Orioles baseball team. He played nine years in professional baseball — at first with the Orioles and the Los Angeles Angels of the American League, then with the Chicago Cubs of the National League for the majority of his career before finishing with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Leo was inducted into the VPI Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.

Find out more

IN THE NEWS…

Obituary

Leo Patrick Burke Jr., 89, of Riner, VA, formerly of Hagerstown, passed away, Friday, October 13, 2023, at his home. Born Sunday, May 6, 1934 in Hagerstown…

Wikipedia – Leo Burke (Baseball)

Leo Patrick Burke (May 6, 1934 – October 13, 2023) was an American utility player in Major League Baseball. The graduate of Virginia Tech played two full seasons and parts of five others in MLB as a…

Pro Baseball Statistics

Leo Burke
Positions: Pinch Hitter, Rightfielder and Second Baseman
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
5-11, 185lb…

Baseball Almanac

Leo Burke Baseball Stats

Part of the 1950-51 Hagerstown High Class 1A state championship basketball team (Burke leading scorer)

March 19, 1951: Morning Herald

Virginia Tech Baseball Record Book

Page 4 (All Southern Conference 1955, ‘56); Pages 12, 14 (At-bats 1956, Hits 1956; triples 1954; Home runs 1955-56; RBI 1955-56)

Virginia Tech Baseball Media Guide

Major Leaguers (page 48); 1955 All-Southern Conference First team (Page 52); Year-by-year batting leaders, at bats, hits (page 66) triples (page 66) home runs, RBIs (Page 68)

Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame

Wikipedia – List of Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame Inductees

Spotlight on Sports – Burke Stars for Virginia Tech Football Team

November 4, 1953: Hagerstown Daily Mail

Name Southern Conference Football Player of the Week

September 27, 1955: Cumberland News

Signs with Orioles

February 19, 1957: Morning Herald

Burke Sent to Minors by Orioles

April 1, 1958: The Morning Herald

Photo: Burke promoted to Orioles

September 9, 1958: Morning Herald

Sports Beat: Tuesday Tales

June 28, 1960: The morning Herald – First paragraph of Sports Beat

Finds Power Swing

June 20, 1961: Hagerstown Daily mail

Burke Rejects Phillies Offer

January 19, 1962: Hagerstown Daily Mail

Burke Enjoying First Year in Pro Baseball

June 26, 1962: Hagerstown Daily Mail

Burke Unanimous Selection (to American Association All-Star team)

July 17, 1962: The Morning Herald

Spotlight on Sports

July 28, 1964: Hagerstown Daily Mail

Hagerstown Turns Out For “Leo Burke Day”

August 11, 1964: Hagerstown Daily Mail

Burke Considers Retiring From Baseball

September 15, 1965: Morning Herald

Burke Says He Has Retired From Baseball

September 23, 1965 – Frederick News Post

Sports Beat

Aug 13, 1965: The Morning Herald