Quick Facts
Biography
James Eugene Burke (born September 24, 1971 in Roseburg, Oregon) is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He attended Oregon State University, where, along with baseball, he also played for the school's football team playing the position of kicker. He now resides back in his hometown of Roseburg, Oregon.
Professional career
Minor League journeyman, 1993 to 2003
Burke was originally drafted by the California Angels in the 9th round of the 1993 amateur draft. He was signed as a free agent by the Chicago White Sox on January 27, 2003.
Chicago White Sox
He played 73 games in the Major Leagues for the White Sox from 2003–2005.
Texas Rangers, return to the minors
The Texas Rangers signed him to a minor league deal near the end of the 2005 season. He did not appear in an MLB game during the 2006 season.
A chance with the Mariners
As a non-roster invitee in the Mariners' camp during spring training 2007, he beat out incumbent René Rivera for the backup catcher job going into Opening Day. On September 30, 2007, on the last day of the regular season, Burke hit his first career home run against A. J. Murray of the Texas Rangers.
On July 6, 2008, Burke was pressed into service on the pitcher's mound in the 15th inning of a game against Detroit when the Mariners ran out of pitchers, as a result he was credited with the loss. However, Burke still pitched well, giving up only one hit and a run. The run scored after a lead off double, wild pitch, and sacrifice fly. Burke had previously made four pitching appearances in the minor leagues.
Following the 2008 season, Burke was non-tendered by the Mariners, making him a free agent. He was re-signed by the Mariners to a minor league contract on December 23, saying this about the situation,
"The best gift would have been a major-league deal, but I'm pretty happy about this. This is a place I wanted to be. It's a situation I like and one that I think could work out very well."
Burke was added to the active roster on April 16, 2009, following an injury to starting catcher Kenji Johjima. When Johjima returned from the disabled list on May 1, Burke was outrighted back to Tacoma; after clearing waivers, he accepted the assignment.
On June 7, he was again called up from Triple A Tacoma after the Mariners designated pitcher Denny Stark for assignment. In a winning effort, Burke went 2-5 with a home run and a base hit.
On June 26, Kenji Johjima was activated from the disabled list. To make room for Johjima on the 25-man roster, the Mariners designated Jamie Burke for assignment. Seattle assigned him to Tacoma and he accepted his assignment.
Washington Nationals
On September 17, 2009 Burke was traded to the Washington Nationals for cash considerations, and was added to the Nats' active roster as a September call-up. The following year, his knee was injured, and he didn't play his first game at the Nationals AAA affiliate Syracuse until May 25. But after injuries to starter Iván Rodríguez and backup catcher Carlos Maldonado, he was called up on June 4, and got into his first game two days later. However, 4 days later, he was designated for assignment after making only one appearance to make way for Iván Rodríguez who was recalled from his rehab assignment in the minors.
Coaching career
He retired after the 2010 season and became the Manager of the Class-A Cedar Rapids Kernels.
Manager of class 1A Burlington Bee's in 2013.