…Glenn Burke (1952 - 1995)

Double Tough

Glenn Lawrence Burke was born on November 16, 1952 in Oakland, California. His father left his mother in 1953, and she raised eight children alone on a nursing-home aide's salary. Glenn was a star athlete at Berkeley High School. He was given a scholarship to the University of Denver, but, after several months in the snow, he opted to return to a warmer climate.

In 1972, Burke was recruited by the Los Angeles Dodgers and sent to play in the minor leagues in Utah, Washington, Connecticut, and New Mexico before being called on for "the show." Weighing a lean 220 pounds, his teammates nick named him King Kong

"Being black and gay made me tougher."
Glenn Burke ~ October 1994

In September of 1977 the Dodgers had the National League West wrapped up and were anticipating a trip to the playoffs and the World Series when Dusty Baker hit his 30th homer for the year in a game against the Houston Astros. Burke ran out to meet his teammate at home plate, leapt into the air, and taught America a new way to celebrate.

Glenn Burke the Natural

Burke possessed all the qualities of a great athlete. He was named Northern California's High School Basketball Player of the Year in 1970, and could run the 100 yard dash in 9.7 seconds. He was able to dunk a basketball using both hands - a remarkable accomplishment for someone who was just over six feet tall. Young Glenn was considered capable of being a professional basketball player, but his first offer came from major league baseball. When he started his baseball career, many of the scouts described him as the next Willie Mays.

Glenn Burke the Trendsetter

Glenn Burke is credited with inventing the "high five" in 1977 when he ran out onto the field to congratulate his Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Dusty Baker for hitting a home run in the last game of the regular season. His celebration has since been imitated by athletes and fans in virtually every sport around the world. The second recorded "high five" came moments later when Baker returned the favor in celebration of Burke's first major league home run.

Burke will probably be remembered more for another first. He was the first major league baseball player to openly discuss his homosexuality.

Prejudice Just Won Out

Burke's baseball career was cut short. Allegations of homophobia are always hard to prove, but within a year of playing outfield in the World Series with the Dodgers, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics. The management of the Dodgers had offered to pay for a luxurious honeymoon if Burke would agree to a "marriage of convenience" to conceal his homosexuality. When he refused, he was traded.

As Burke stated in his autobiography, "prejudice just won out." Frustration led him to quit baseball in 1979, but he returned for Spring training with Oakland in 1980. The new manager of the Athletics made public statements about not wanting a homosexual in his clubhouse. Burke injured his knee before the season began, and was relegated to the minors in Utah. At this point, he realized that he would not be receiving any more major league offers, and so he retired permanently.

Burke's homosexuality became public knowledge in a 1982 article published by "Inside Sports" magazine. Although he remained active in amateur competition, Burke turned to drugs to fill the void in his life when his career ended. His addiction to cocaine destroyed him both physically and financially. In 1987, he was hit by a car and seriously injured, which accelerated his decline. He spent time in prison for drug possession and ended up living on the streets, begging for money from the same people that he had once hosted with lavish parties.

History Cannot Be Erased

In his 225 games in the majors, Burke batted .237 with two home runs, 38 RBI and 35 stolen bases. Burke continued his athletic endeavors after retiring from baseball. He competed in the 1986 Gay Games in basketball, and won medals in the 100 and 220 meter sprints in the first Gay Games in 1982. His jersey number at Berkeley High School has been retired in his honor.

"My mission as a gay ballplayer was to break a stereotype . . . I think it worked."
Glenn Burke in People ~ November 1994

When news of his battle with AIDS became public knowledge in 1994, he received the support of his former teammates and the Oakland Athletics organization. In interviews given while he was fighting AIDS, he expressed little in the way of grudges, and only one big regret - that he never had the opportunity to pursue a career in professional basketball.

Glenn Burke lived the last months of his life at his sister's home, and died from complications associated with AIDS on May 30, 1995 at Fairmont Hospital in San Leandro, California.

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