Bill Burich

Who was Bill Burich?

William Max Burich was an infielder in Major League Baseball, playing mainly as a shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies during the 1942 and 1946 seasons. Listed at 6' 0", 180 lb., he batted and threw right-handed.

A native of Calumet, Michigan, Burich was one of many major leaguers who saw his baseball career interrupted by a military stint during World War II. In 1942 he appeared in 25 games as a backup infielder for Pinky May, Bobby Bragan and Danny Murtaugh. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1943, serving for three and half years before rejoining the Phillies in the 1946 midseason.

In a two-season career, Burich was .284 hitter in 27 games with four runs and seven RBI in 27 games, including one double, two stolen bases, and a .333 on-base percentage.

Following his brief stint in major leagues, Burich resumed his playing career in the minors and also managed the 1948 Nazareth Barons of the North Atlantic League.

Burich died on December 25, 2009 in Apple Valley, California.