seven-game series. By 1963, Jim Pagliaroni had taken over as the Pirates' starting catcher and in late 1964, Burgess was acquired by the Chicago White Sox, who were in the middle of a heated pennant race. In his first plate appearance with the White Sox, on September 15, against the Detroit Tigers, he hit a game-tying home run off pitcher Dave Wickersham. Over the next three years, Burgess was used almost exclusively as a pinch hitter, appearing in just 7 games behind the plate. In , he set a Major League record which still stands for the most games in a season (79) by a non-pitcher who did not score a run. Burgess played his final major league game on October 1, 1967 at the age of 40. Career statistics During an 18-year major league career, Burgess played in 1,691 games, hitting for a .295 career batting average, with 126 home runs, 673 RBI, and a .362 on-base percentage. He accumulated 1,318 career hits, with 230 doubles, and 33 triples. He walked 477 times while striking out just 270 times. His .295 career batting average ranked him 10th among Major League catchers, as of 2009. A six-time All-Star, Burgess led National League (NL) catchers in fielding percentage three times, in 1953, 1960, and 1961. He recorded a career .988 fielding percentage. His Major League record of 145 career pinch hits was broken by Manny Mota, in . Along with Curt Simmons, he was the last player to formally retire, who had played in the major leagues in the 1940s (not counting Minnie Miñoso, who un-retired twice). Post-playing career When his playing career ended, Burgess spent many years with the Atlanta Braves as a scout and minor league batting coach with the Pulaski Braves, in Pulaski, VA. Burgess was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, in 1975. Burgess was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, in 1978. Burgess died at age 64, in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, September 15, 1991, survived by his wife, Margaret and son, Larry, both of Forest City, NC. See also Major League Baseball all-time pinch hit leaders References Further reading Observer staff (August 9, 1943). "Tigers Sign Caroleen Kid". The Charlotte Observer. p. 14 Observer staff (June 23, 1944). "Sparkling Carolinas All-Star Clubs: Sandlappers!; Tar Heels!". The Charlotte Observer. p. 24 Associated Press (July 8, 1963). "Eddie Goostree Dead; Scouted Tiger Stars".