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amead17 · 09-20-2025, 07:19 AM

BURKETT MARKS 2,500TH HIT IN CARDINALS’ EXTRA-INNING DEFEAT

By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times
August 28th, 1903

PITTSBURGH — It was a day of mingled triumph and disappointment for the St. Louis Cardinals, who bowed in a 12-inning heartbreaker, 4–3, to the league-leading Pittsburgh Pirates. Though the result went against them, the afternoon brought cause for cheer as Jesse Burkett, the club’s seasoned left fielder, registered the 2,500th hit of his career.

The milestone stroke came in the top of the eighth inning, a sharp single that pushed Burkett’s tally into the rarefied company of base ball’s great hitters. At the time, the Cardinals were enjoying a 3–0 advantage, but fate proved unkind, as the Pirates clawed their way back and snatched the game in the twelfth.

For the day, Burkett was 1-for-4, raising his average to .287 on the season. The defeat, meanwhile, drops St. Louis to 56–59 in their campaign, a mark that speaks to both promise and inconsistency.

Burkett, reflecting upon the achievement, kept the moment in perspective:

“I take pride in the number, of course, but I’d rather have seen it come in a victory,” said Burkett. “Every man out here plays for the win above all else. Still, I’ve been fortunate to have many years in this game, and each hit is a reminder of the hard work put in since my first season.”

Manager Patsy Donovan praised his veteran’s endurance and contribution, even as he rued the narrow loss:

“Jesse is as fine a batsman as this game has ever seen,” Donovan remarked. “Two thousand five hundred hits is a testament to his skill, his eye, and his perseverance. I only wish the rest of the day had ended more happily for our club. We fought hard, but against Pittsburgh one cannot afford the slightest opening.”

For Burkett, who began his career back in 1890 at the age of 21, the tally is another jewel in a career that boasts a lifetime average of .349. For the Cardinals, the defeat is another reminder that the path to contention is narrow, and every chance must be seized.

09-20-2025, 07:19 AM	#112
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 9,288	Burkett 2500 Hits BURKETT MARKS 2,500TH HIT IN CARDINALS’ EXTRA-INNING DEFEAT By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times August 28th, 1903 PITTSBURGH — It was a day of mingled triumph and disappointment for the St. Louis Cardinals, who bowed in a 12-inning heartbreaker, 4–3, to the league-leading Pittsburgh Pirates. Though the result went against them, the afternoon brought cause for cheer as Jesse Burkett, the club’s seasoned left fielder, registered the 2,500th hit of his career. The milestone stroke came in the top of the eighth inning, a sharp single that pushed Burkett’s tally into the rarefied company of base ball’s great hitters. At the time, the Cardinals were enjoying a 3–0 advantage, but fate proved unkind, as the Pirates clawed their way back and snatched the game in the twelfth. For the day, Burkett was 1-for-4, raising his average to .287 on the season. The defeat, meanwhile, drops St. Louis to 56–59 in their campaign, a mark that speaks to both promise and inconsistency. Burkett, reflecting upon the achievement, kept the moment in perspective: “I take pride in the number, of course, but I’d rather have seen it come in a victory,” said Burkett. “Every man out here plays for the win above all else. Still, I’ve been fortunate to have many years in this game, and each hit is a reminder of the hard work put in since my first season.” Manager Patsy Donovan praised his veteran’s endurance and contribution, even as he rued the narrow loss: “Jesse is as fine a batsman as this game has ever seen,” Donovan remarked. “Two thousand five hundred hits is a testament to his skill, his eye, and his perseverance. I only wish the rest of the day had ended more happily for our club. We fought hard, but against Pittsburgh one cannot afford the slightest opening.” For Burkett, who began his career back in 1890 at the age of 21, the tally is another jewel in a career that boasts a lifetime average of .349. For the Cardinals, the defeat is another reminder that the path to contention is narrow, and every chance must be seized.