100 Greatest Red Sox >> #97: Tom Burgmeier

Tom Burgmeier, RP, #16 (1978-1981)

213 G, 21-12, 40 Saves, 2.72 ERA

Thomas (Tom) Henry Burgmeier began his baseball career as a Crusader who would one day be an All Star. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 2, 1943, he started pitching with the St. Cloud Cathedral High School in 1957. In 1961 he led the Crusaders to a State Championship.

Originally signed by Houston, he debuted with California then went to the Royals in the 1968 expansion draft when he was 24 years old. In 1971, he was 9-7 with 17 saves and a 1.74 ERA. He joined the Red Sox in 1978. in 1980 as a Red Sox he went 5-4 with a 2.00 ERA and 24 saves. On August 3, 1980 in a 6–4 win over Texas, Burgmeier finished the last inning in RF. He’s the first Red Sox pitcher to play a position since Mike Ryba caught in three games in 1942. That same year he was named to the American League All-Star Team.

During the 1981 off season Burgmeier suffered a stroke. Despite the stroke, he returned to the mound with the Red Sox where he had one of his best seasons ever — 7-0 with a 2.29 ERA in 40 appearances.

During his 17-year career (1968 to 1984) he compiled a career record of 79-55 with a 3.23 ERA and 102 saves. He played for the California Angels, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, and Oakland A’s. Burgmeier was a consistent and durable reliever until shoulder tendinitis ended his career at age 40.

Burgmeier became a pitching coach in Kansas City’s minor league system from 1992-1996. He then spent the 1997 season as the Royals video scouting coordinator. From 1998-2000 he served as Kansas City’s bullpen coach. He spent the 2001 and 2002 seasons as pitching coach for Baltimore’s Double-A affiliate in Bowie. Burgmeier returned to the Kansas City franchise as a pitching coach for Kansas City’s Single-A club in Burlington, Iowa from 2003-2005. He is currently the pitching coach of the Omaha Royals.

Player Biography written by Karen.