 Born in Bartow, Florida, he made his major league debut for the Cleveland Indians at the age of 22 on May 7, 1927 against the Philadelphia Athletics after graduating from the University of Florida.Burnett wore uniform number 1 in all eight of his seasons with the Indians.In , Burnett's first season as an everyday starter, he was batting above .300 into July when, on July 19, he broke his wrist and was sidelined for the season.