Jose Burgos

Jose A. Burgos

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 6", Weight 150 lb.

• Born January 12, 1916 in Ponce Puerto Rico

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Jose Burgos played in the Negro Leagues, minor leagues and Puerto Rican League.

Burgos was with his hometown Ponce Lions from 1946-1955, hitting .216 for his career with a highwater mark of .258 in 1950-1951. The lightweight shortstop hit .224 for the Birmingham Black Barons in his US debut in 1949. He still was picked for the 1949 East-West Game. Leading off and playing shortstop, he went 0 for 2 before Orlando Varona replaced him in a 4-0 loss for the West. He improved to .243 in a second season with Birmingham.

In 1951, Jose played for the Leesburg Packers (.321/?/.391 in 67 G) and Lakeland Pilots (.213/?/.241 in 77 G). Back with Lakeland in 1952, he put up a .221/.328/.249 line with 88 walks, 4th-most in the Florida International League. Burgos led the league's shortstops in double plays (105) and his .966 fielding percentage led all performers with 100+ games. He moved to the Richmond Colts in 1953 and batted .243/.348/.313 while fielding .951 to end his US career.

Sources

• The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues by James Riley
• The Complete Book of Baseball's Negro Leagues by John Holway
• 1953-1954 Baseball Guides
• Black Baseball's National Showcase by Larry Lester