Feb. 22, 2008: Glenn Burke

 Glenn Burke:

Profiles in Courage for Black History Month

Glenn Burke was born in Oakland, California on November 16, 1962. It is difficult to believe that there was a time in American culture when the “high-five” was not in existence. Openly gay Dodger baseball player Glenn Burke invented it, while playing a game in 1977. Baseball was his life and he was the first major league baseball player to come out of the closet. Sometimes referred to as “the next Willie Mays.”

Burke had a premature retirement from baseball after he was traded to another team that didn’t work out for him —Burke felt he was traded  because he was gay and things went downhill for Burke after that. It was reported that Al Campanis, the Manager of the Dodgers at the time (the same Campanis who was relieved of his duties for saying that the reason blacks weren’t in the front offices of baseball is because they didn’t have the wherewithal to manage) suggested that Burke should get married.

Burkes glory days were with the Dodgers where he batted over .300 and had exceptional defensive skills, but being gay was not tolerable in the 70’s and he had to go. He played in the Gay Games in 1986 but he was never again to gain the athletic performance that marked his early days as a superb athlete.

Without his beloved baseball, Burke’s life spun out of control and he could be seen wandering the streets especially in San Francisco’s Castro district. People knew not to lend him money because he wouldn’t pay them back. He is quoted as saying, “I was spoiled rotten, so I got lazy.” He began using drugs and his behavior deteriorated. Friends avoided him.  He contracted AIDS and died May 30, 1995.

For his courage to live his life openly and his outstanding display of athletic abilities NBJC honors the memory of Glenn Burke. We pray that through his suffering those that come after may be judged for their contributions on the field of play.

“They can’t ever say now that a gay man can’t play in the Majors, because I’m a gay man and I did it.”

--- Glenn Burke