Primary Position: Catcher
Birthplace: Caroleen
First, Last Names: Forrest Harrill Nicknames: Smoky
Date of Birth: Feb. 6, 1927 Date and Place of Death: Sept. 15, 1991, Asheville, NC
Burial: Sunset Memorial Park, Forest City, NC
High School: Henrietta-Caroleen High School
Bats: L Throws: R Height and Weight: 5-8, 187
Debut Year: 1949 Final Year: 1967 Years Played: 18
Team(s) and Years: Chicago Cubs, 1949, 1951; Philadelphia Phillies, 1952-55; Cincinnati Redlegs, 1955-58; Pittsburgh Pirates, 1959-1964; Chicago White Sox, 1964-67
Career Summary
G AB H R RBI HR BA. OBP. SLG. WAR
1691 4471 1318 485 673 126 .295 .362 .446 +33.4
Awards/Honors: All-Star, 1954-55, 1959-61, 1964; N.C. Sports Hall of Fame, 1978; Boys of Summer Top 100
A six-time All Star, Smoky Burgess is among North Carolina’s baseball royalty, ranking 14th on the list of the state’s Top 100 players. He played 18 years in the major leagues – only five North Carolinians have played longer – and is second to Rick Ferrell as the top catcher produced by the state. He was also considered one of the best hitters of his generation.
“Smoky could fall out of bed on New Year’s Day and get a hit off Sandy Koufax,” said Joe Nuxhall, a teammate on the Cincinnati Redlegs.[I]