Freddie Burdette, Cousin and professional baseball player

While I was working on my Georgia Burdette connections, I also discovered a new cousin from Moultrie, Georgia. Freddie Thomason Burdette, who was a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. The following obituary was included at the Riverside Cemetery listings on Find a Grave.

Freddie Burdette
Birth: Sep. 15, 1936
Moultrie, Colquitt County Georgia, USA
Death: June 1, 2010
Albany
Dougherty County
Georgia, USA


Professional baseball player 1962-1964. Pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.

Freddie T. Burdette ALBANY The graveside service of Freddie Thomason Burdette, 73, of Albany, GA who died Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at Palmyra Nursing Home will be conducted, Friday at 2:00 PM at Riverside Cemetery. Dr. Ronald Baxley will officiate. Visitation will be held from 1:30 PM until 2:00 PM at the cemetery. A native of Moultrie, GA and born to the late Horace A. Burdette and Aline Morris Burdette, Mr. Burdette had resided in Albany, GA since 1955. He was a 1954 graduate from Moultrie High School and played professional baseball for the Chicago Cubs from 1954 until 1964. He pitched thirty games for the major league Chicago Cubs from 1962-1964. Mr. Burdette was employed with United Parcel Service and retired in 1992. He loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. He was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Burdette. Survivors include three brothers, Ricky Burdette and Jackie, of Pelham, GA, Randy Burdette and his wife, Jenny of Lawrenceville, GA and Christy Burdette and his wife, Sheila of Tucson, AZ, a sister and her husband, Vickie and Tony Amorose of Sugarhill, GA and two sons, Marty and Brett. Those desiring may make donations to United Hospice of Cordele, 407 E. 16th Ave., Cordele, GA 31015. To sign our online registry or to send condolences to the family, you may visit Mathews' website at www.mathewsfuneralhome.com. Mathews Funeral Home Albany 229/435-5657.

Family links at Find a Grave:
Parents:
Horace A Burdette (1914 - 1971)
Aline M Burdette (1916 - 1994)

Burial:
Riverside Cemetery
Albany
Dougherty County
Georgia, USA


Additional information from Wikipedia

Freddie Thomason Burdette (September 15, 1936 – June 1, 2010) was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs.

Burdette was born in 1936 in Moultrie, Georgia. He was signed by the Cubs on June 3, 1954 as an undrafted amateur free agent. He battled his way through the minor leagues before finally making his major-league debut at age 25, pitching in relief in both games of a doubleheader with the Cincinnati Reds at Crosley Field. He induced the first batter he ever faced, Leo Cardenas, to ground out to second baseman Ken Hubbs. He also retired Gordy Coleman on a groundout before being removed from the game. In the nightcap, Burdette pitched a full inning, allowing a hit but no runs. On September 10, he tallied his first big-league strikeout, fanning slugger Frank Howard. He also earned his first (and only) career save when he finished a 4-1 victory over Philadelphia on September 20. Burdette went on to finish the year with a 3.72 ERA in 9 2/3 innings over 8 games. The next year, he was a late-season call-up from the minors for the Cubs, appearing in 4 games as a reliever and posting a 3.86 ERA.

Burdette saw his most extensive major-league action in 1964, making 18 appearances out of the bullpen after getting promoted to the big leagues in June. He earned his first major-league win (and only decision) on August 18 against the Phillies in a marathon 16-inning contest at Shibe Park. Burdette retired six of the seven Phillie batters he faced in the 14th and 15th innings before being removed for a pinch-hitter as the Cubs rallied for two runs in the top of the 16th. Ernie Broglio (famously acquired by the Cubs in exchange for legend Lou Brock) allowed a solo homer in the bottom of the 16th to Clay Dalrymple but held on to save Burdette's only career win.

Burdette pitched in eight more games as a Cub in 1964, including his final appearance on October 2, 1964 against the San Francisco Giants. He hurled two-thirds of an inning, retiring opposing pitcher Bobby Bolin to end the final inning Burdett would pitch in the bigs.

For his career, Burdette was 1-0 in 30 games (all in relief) with one save and a 3.41 ERA.

[edit] Later lifeFollowing his baseball career, Burdette worked for the United Parcel Service. He died on June 1, 2010 in Albany, Georgia, where he had resided since 1955