#Smoky May 26

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For today’s 30-Day Baseball Coach4aday Challenge post I am reporting on Forrest Harrill “SMOKY” Burgess.

When searching for MLB players who possessed a larger build relative to their body size, one name that often appears is Smoky Burgess. Recently, my curiosity was sparked when my grandson was born on Tuesday, named Forrest. This prompted me to investigate whether there was ever an MLB player from North Carolina who shared the name Forrest.

Forrest Harrill Burgess alias Smoky was born on February 6, 1927 in Caroleen, North Carolina, a town in Rutherford County and played professionally from 1949-1967. My grandson has a connection.

FAQ about Smoky

1. Smoky Burgess holds the record for the highest career batting average as a pinch hitter in Major League Baseball history. Throughout his career, he recorded an impressive .364 batting average in pinch-hitting situations.
2. Burgess was known for his exceptional hitting skills. He finished his career with a .295 batting average, with over 1,000 hits and more than 400 RBIs.
3. He was selected to six All-Star Games during his career.
4. In 1954, while playing for the Cincinnati Reds, Burgess achieved a remarkable feat by hitting three home runs in a single game.
5. After each season and when he retired he owned and operated the Smoky Burgess Gulf Service Station in Forest City NC