Glenn Burke, Baseball's Gay Hero Memorialized

[+ Lucky]

The NY Times profiles Glenn Burke, the late baseball player who was the first come out of the closet, albeit after his career had ended.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/26/sports/baseball/singled-out-glenn-burke-excerpt.html?action=click&module=Editors Picks&pgtype=Homepage

 

The profile is from the book “Singled Out: The True Story of Glenn Burke,” which will be published by Philomel Books on March 2. Burke, a promising prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1970s, was gay and dealt with discrimination throughout his career. He died of AIDS complications in 1995.

 

As a baseball fan myself, I look forward to the inside scoop. Burke's sexuality was not entirely a secret in baseball, so there should be some good stories! (Possibly not so much as it is aimed at the YA market.)

Edited March 2, 2021 by Lucky

[+ WilliamM]

@Lucky , I read the article yesterday, Glenn Burke's sister was such a significant part of his life, and not just as an excellent cook!

[OCClient]

@Lucky  I just read the NYTimes article.  A good read.  Love how they remembered his singing....

Ooh-oo child

Things are gonna get easier

Ooh-oo child

Things'll get brighter

Susan Payne of PRIDELA.ORG referenced the article in her recent piece on Burke who was honored at this years Los Angeles Dodgerf's LGBTQ+ Pride Night.  

https://thepridela.com/2022/06/44-years-later-mlbs-first-openly-gay-player-glenn-burke-now-celebrated-by-dodgers/

“The most unique human being, the most dynamic person, that I’ve ever met,” said Larry Corrigan, a minor league teammate of Burke’s (1973 to 1976) before working more than three decades as a scout and executive, mostly for Minnesota. “He was built like a god. He was funny, witty and semi-loud if he knew you. But he could be quiet, too.”

[samhexum]

On 3/2/2021 at 6:37 PM, Lucky said:

The NY Times profiles Glenn Burke, the late baseball player who was the first come out of the closet, albeit after his career had ended.

 

On 3/2/2021 at 7:10 PM, WilliamM said:

@Lucky , I read the article yesterday, Glenn Burke's sister was such a significant part of his life, and not just as an excellent cook!

 

5 hours ago, OCClient said:

@Lucky  I just read the NYTimes article.  A good read.

Nothing about his identical twin sister Delta?

[skynyc]

A High Five for Glenn Burke by Phil Bildner came out a couple years ago. A middle reader book for ages 10-14 about a baseball-loving kid who has gay feelings and learns about Burke. Terrific portrayal of going through that difficult time.