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amead17 · 09-21-2025, 12:33 AM

BURKETT SCORES 1500TH RUN AS CARDINALS FALL TO SUPERBAS

By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times
September 17th, 1903

The St. Louis Cardinals may have dropped an 8–4 decision to the Brooklyn Superbas yesterday afternoon, but veteran outfielder Jesse Burkett still found a bright spot amid the gloom. The 34-year-old left fielder, long one of base ball’s finest craftsmen with the bat, tallied the 1500th run of his career, adding yet another milestone to his remarkable record.

With the Cardinals already eliminated from the pennant chase, manager Patsy Donovan elected to give his younger charges an opportunity. Burkett began the day on the bench, but was summoned to pinch-hit in the bottom of the eighth inning with his club trailing 4–0. Though he reached only by way of an error, the seasoned batsman circled the bases with the help of fellow pinch hitters, scoring the tally that touched off a spirited rally. St. Louis evened matters at 4–4 before Brooklyn answered with four runs in the ninth to seal the contest.

The loss dropped the Cardinals to 63–71, their season now playing out more in honor than ambition. Burkett, officially 0-for-1 with the run scored, saw his batting mark settle at .285 for the current campaign. His career, however, tells a much grander story: since his debut in 1890, the man known as “the Crab” has compiled a dazzling .349 lifetime average across three different clubs.

Burkett, never one for fanfare, reflected afterward with quiet satisfaction:

“One run or fifteen hundred, they all come the same way—by finding a way on and trusting your mates to bring you round. I’m proud of the number, of course, but I’d rather it had come in a victory for St. Louis.”

Manager Donovan, who has seen much of Burkett’s brilliance firsthand, offered words of praise:

“Jesse Burkett has given this game more than most men ever could. His bat has been steady, his spirit unflagging, and he remains a model for every young ball player in our ranks. We may not be fighting for the pennant, but milestones such as his remind us we are privileged to witness a career of rare distinction.”

Though the Cardinals’ season fades, Burkett’s standing among the immortals of base ball only grows firmer with each passing week.

09-21-2025, 12:33 AM	#116
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 9,288	Burkett 1500 Runs BURKETT SCORES 1500TH RUN AS CARDINALS FALL TO SUPERBAS By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times September 17th, 1903 The St. Louis Cardinals may have dropped an 8–4 decision to the Brooklyn Superbas yesterday afternoon, but veteran outfielder Jesse Burkett still found a bright spot amid the gloom. The 34-year-old left fielder, long one of base ball’s finest craftsmen with the bat, tallied the 1500th run of his career, adding yet another milestone to his remarkable record. With the Cardinals already eliminated from the pennant chase, manager Patsy Donovan elected to give his younger charges an opportunity. Burkett began the day on the bench, but was summoned to pinch-hit in the bottom of the eighth inning with his club trailing 4–0. Though he reached only by way of an error, the seasoned batsman circled the bases with the help of fellow pinch hitters, scoring the tally that touched off a spirited rally. St. Louis evened matters at 4–4 before Brooklyn answered with four runs in the ninth to seal the contest. The loss dropped the Cardinals to 63–71, their season now playing out more in honor than ambition. Burkett, officially 0-for-1 with the run scored, saw his batting mark settle at .285 for the current campaign. His career, however, tells a much grander story: since his debut in 1890, the man known as “the Crab” has compiled a dazzling .349 lifetime average across three different clubs. Burkett, never one for fanfare, reflected afterward with quiet satisfaction: “One run or fifteen hundred, they all come the same way—by finding a way on and trusting your mates to bring you round. I’m proud of the number, of course, but I’d rather it had come in a victory for St. Louis.” Manager Donovan, who has seen much of Burkett’s brilliance firsthand, offered words of praise: “Jesse Burkett has given this game more than most men ever could. His bat has been steady, his spirit unflagging, and he remains a model for every young ball player in our ranks. We may not be fighting for the pennant, but milestones such as his remind us we are privileged to witness a career of rare distinction.” Though the Cardinals’ season fades, Burkett’s standing among the immortals of base ball only grows firmer with each passing week.