Welcome! Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Login | Register
   

Dedication To Our Hometown Hero Smoky Burgess

Comment     Print
Related Articles
The face of the statue of baseball’s greatest pinch hitter, “Smoky” Burgess.

On Saturday, November 9th, Forest City showed it’s endearing pride to one of its own. A statue in front of the Cool Spring Gymnasium on West Main Street was dedicated and presented for all to see. The statue was a beautiful depiction of Forrest Harrill “Smoky” Burgess born in Caroleen, Rutherford County, North Carolina. He was a major league catcher who batted left and threw right. He was a 6-time all star baseball player, with a career batting average of .295, hitting 126 career home runs and became one of the best pinch hitters in baseball history. His career pitch hits of 145 is the 4th all time high for that category. He played in 1691 baseball games. He was given the nickname “Smoky” for the Smokey Mountains. Throughout his career he spelled it “Smoky” and signed and autographed his name as such. 

     “Smoky” Burgess was signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1944 and played for them through 1951. After he played for the Philadelphia Phillies (1952-1955), Cincinnati Reds (1955-1958),Pittsburgh Pirates(1959-1964) (won the World Series in 1960 batting .333 in seven games), Chicago White Sox (1964-1967). He is a member of the Cincinnati reds Hall of Fame and also a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. After retiring as a player, he was signed by Ted Turner for the Atlanta Braves as scout and batting coach. He passed away in Rutherford County at age 64.

     His mother was asked one time, how come all her other sons didn’t become professional baseball players like her son Forrest. Her answer was simple: “ Forrest couldn’t pick cotton like his brothers! His great eye for the pitchers throwing to him when he was at bat was supposedly developed when he was just a youngster. “He would bat at bees with a broom handle!” He was very kind to anyone he met and gave generously of his time to many worthwhile causes. He met his wife, Margaret, when she was working at the Roses store. When he went by her house one Sunday afternoon with his new car, he asked her if she would like to go for a ride. Margaret thanked him and said she was waiting for another young man with whom she had a date. Forrest Burgess convinced her to get in his new car and just “go for a ride around the block”. The ride turned out to be for several hours! Margaret Burgess still lives in their home in Forest City. She goes to the gym to “work out” two to three times a week, volunteers at the hospital during the week, cooks a dinner for her family every Wednesday and still drives She is 88 years young!

     Margaret Burgess never called him “Smoky”, it was always Forrest. Their son, Larry is very proud of both his dad and mother. He could not thank everyone enough for the dedication of the statue of his dad on Saturday. Forrest Harrill “Smoky” Burgess, the pride of Rutherford County remains a shinning example of a complete person, baseball player, and Christian.

Read more from:
Latest News
Tags: 
None
Share: 
Comment      Print

Powered by Bondware
News Publishing Software

The browser you are using is outdated!

You may not be getting all you can out of your browsing experience
and may be open to security risks!

Consider upgrading to the latest version of your browser or choose on below: