Ellis Burks was a professional baseball player who played for 18 seasons in the Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on September 11, 1964, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and grew up in Texas. Burks was a talented athlete and excelled in both baseball and football in high school. However, he chose to pursue a career in baseball and was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the first round of the 1983 MLB draft.
Burks made his MLB debut in 1987 with the Red Sox and quickly established himself as a talented outfielder. He had a strong arm and was known for his speed and agility on the field. Burks played for the Red Sox for seven seasons and was a key player on the team during that time. He was named an All-Star twice and won a Gold Glove award in 1990.
In 1993, Burks signed with the Chicago White Sox as a free agent. He played for the White Sox for two seasons before being traded to the Colorado Rockies in 1995. It was with the Rockies that Burks had some of his best seasons. He was a key player on the team that made it to the playoffs in 1995 and 1997. In 1996, Burks had a career-high 40 home runs and 128 RBIs. He was named an All-Star and finished third in the National League MVP voting that year.
After his time with the Rockies, Burks played for several other teams, including the San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians, and Boston Red Sox (again). He continued to be a productive player throughout his career, but injuries began to take a toll on him in his later years. Burks retired from baseball in 2004 with a career batting average of .291, 352 home runs, and 1,206 RBIs.
In addition to his success on the field, Burks was also known for his leadership and sportsmanship. He was a respected player and was often called upon to mentor younger players. Burks was also involved in several charitable organizations throughout his career and was known for his generosity off the field.
Overall, Ellis Burks had a successful career in baseball and was one of the best outfielders of his time. He was a talented player who was respected by his peers and fans alike. Burks' legacy in baseball will be remembered for years to come.
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