Dennis Burtt started the spring with optimism in 1986, with three scoreless relief outings, The Orlando Sentinel wrote.Then the optimism took a hit, as the Astros hit against him for six runs over three innings of work.
"I don't know what they (the Twins) are looking at," Burtt told The Sentinel after that poor outing, "what you do daily or overall. I'm just trying to do well . . . I'm getting the chance anyway.''
Burtt was coming off his first time in the majors the previous September, five outings, two starts. And he would make the team out of that spring in 1986, that poor outing notwithstanding.
But his stay with the Twins would be brief, ending that April with two more poor outings in games that counted.
Burtt's career began back in 1976, taken by the Red Sox in the second round of the January draft, out of Santa Ana College.
He started at short-season Elmira, then played his next three seasons at single-A Winter Haven. He made AA Bristol in 1980, then AAA Pawtucket in 1982.
Read the June 2015 interview: Dennis Burtt, Got There
Going into 1982, Red Sox manager Ralph Houk reacted to a solid game by Burtt and two other young Red Sox pitchers, telling The Associated Press that he was impressed with all three, with Burtt showing he could move the ball around and "had some strikeout ability."
"I wasn't really surprised because I'd had reports all winter that they were outstanding young pitchers," Houk told The AP. "They all looked pretty good today."
Britt, though, never saw Boston, staying with the Paw Sox through 1984.
For 1985, Burtt signed with the Twins, getting sent to AAA Toledo. He went 14-8 there, with a 4.13 ERA. In August, he threw a complete-game shutout.
In September, he was in the majors.
He debuted Sept. 4, getting into five games that month, with a total ERA of 3.81. In his debut, he was charged with three runs in just one inning of work. He picked up his first win in his second outing, again giving up three runs, but this time over eight innings.
After winning that spot with the Twins the next spring, Burtt went out April 10 for a scoreless inning. Two days later, though, he failed to record an out, getting charged with three earned runs. His third outing, which turned out to be his final one in the majors, Burtt gave up four earned runs in one inning.
"I'm not one of these guys who remembers every pitch he ever threw," Burtt told The Los Angeles Times in 1989, "But I think you remember the best and worst times. That was the major leagues for me. Being there was the best time I've ever had. Having to leave was the worst."
Burtt played out the year back at AAA Toledo. In July, he just missed a seven-inning no-hitter. Burtt went 9-10 on the season, and he didn't get called back to Minnesota.
Burtt moved to the Dodgers system for 1987, playing the next three seasons there, without seeing Los Angeles. He then signed with the Tigers for 1990, playing back at AAA Toledo.
Burtt went on to record two seasons as pitching coach at AA in the Red Sox system. He's also recorded in one final brief stint at independent Bend in 1996, finally ending his career.
In May 1990, he spoke with The Toledo Blade about his career, and how it was likely winding down, saying he hadn't given up on making it back to the majors, but he was realistic.
"There are guys who get chances over and over," Burtt told The Blade. "There are guys who get one chance, and there are guys who never get the chance. I got one chance. I can say I was there. It's something I'll always remember and something I'll never trade."
Read the June 2015 interview: Dennis Burtt, Got There
1990 CMC Tally
Cards Featured: 826/880 - 93.9%
Players/Coaches Featured: 837
Made the Majors: 574 - 69%-X
Never Made the Majors:263-31%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 258
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 156-X
Going into 1982, Red Sox manager Ralph Houk reacted to a solid game by Burtt and two other young Red Sox pitchers, telling The Associated Press that he was impressed with all three, with Burtt showing he could move the ball around and "had some strikeout ability."
"I wasn't really surprised because I'd had reports all winter that they were outstanding young pitchers," Houk told The AP. "They all looked pretty good today."
Britt, though, never saw Boston, staying with the Paw Sox through 1984.
For 1985, Burtt signed with the Twins, getting sent to AAA Toledo. He went 14-8 there, with a 4.13 ERA. In August, he threw a complete-game shutout.
In September, he was in the majors.
He debuted Sept. 4, getting into five games that month, with a total ERA of 3.81. In his debut, he was charged with three runs in just one inning of work. He picked up his first win in his second outing, again giving up three runs, but this time over eight innings.
After winning that spot with the Twins the next spring, Burtt went out April 10 for a scoreless inning. Two days later, though, he failed to record an out, getting charged with three earned runs. His third outing, which turned out to be his final one in the majors, Burtt gave up four earned runs in one inning.
"I'm not one of these guys who remembers every pitch he ever threw," Burtt told The Los Angeles Times in 1989, "But I think you remember the best and worst times. That was the major leagues for me. Being there was the best time I've ever had. Having to leave was the worst."
Burtt played out the year back at AAA Toledo. In July, he just missed a seven-inning no-hitter. Burtt went 9-10 on the season, and he didn't get called back to Minnesota.
Burtt moved to the Dodgers system for 1987, playing the next three seasons there, without seeing Los Angeles. He then signed with the Tigers for 1990, playing back at AAA Toledo.
Burtt went on to record two seasons as pitching coach at AA in the Red Sox system. He's also recorded in one final brief stint at independent Bend in 1996, finally ending his career.
In May 1990, he spoke with The Toledo Blade about his career, and how it was likely winding down, saying he hadn't given up on making it back to the majors, but he was realistic.
"There are guys who get chances over and over," Burtt told The Blade. "There are guys who get one chance, and there are guys who never get the chance. I got one chance. I can say I was there. It's something I'll always remember and something I'll never trade."
Read the June 2015 interview: Dennis Burtt, Got There
- Nashua Telegraph, Associated Press, March 12, 1982: Red Sox boss Houk likes what he sees
- Orlando Sentinel, March 21, 1986: Twins Hopeful Burtt Hopes Bad Day Doesn't Hurt Chance
- Los Angeles Times, June 16, 1989: Life in the Bushes
- Toledo Blade, May 24, 1990: Burtt senses shot at majors futile
More: The 1990 Toledo Mud Hens
Cards Featured: 826/880 - 93.9%
Players/Coaches Featured: 837
Made the Majors: 574 - 69%-X
Never Made the Majors:263-31%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 258
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 156-X
More 1990 Minor Leaguers:
- Stacey Burdick got outs enough to turn pro, saw six seasons, 5/22/13
- Bob Burgess worked as minors assistant GM, minors GM, 3/21/20
- Bob Burgess worked as minors assistant GM, minors GM, 3/21/20
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