Card: 2013 Topps Archives Ellis Burks Autograph
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Do you know who was a pretty good baseball player? Ellis Burks.
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Back in 2000, when Cleveland knew that it was not going to be able to resign Manny Ramirez, signed free agent outfielder Ellis Burks to a three-year, $20 million dollar deal. Burks was 36, but still a potent hitter. He wasn’t going to replace Ramirez’s production completely but would help take the sting out of his loss. And cost much less than Ramirez, to who they offered $17 million a year.
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The Burks signing would, mostly, work out. From 2001-2002 he would average 30 HR with a .292/.365/.907 line. Good for a 138 OPS+. He was on track to similar numbers in 2003, but injuries limited him to only 198 at-bats.
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Burks retired following the 2004 season. For his 18-season career, he would hit 352 HR and have a career 126 OPS+. He was a two-time All-Star, and in 1990 was both a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner.