1994 Signature Rookies, John Burke

#21 John Burke

John Burke was drafted three times. He was drafted in the 34th round by the Orioles in 1989. He didn't sign, and instead attended the University of Florida. Two years later, he got drafted again. This time it was by the Astros in the 1st round, 6th overall. Again, he didn't sign and he went back to school. In 1992, he was drafted a third time. This time he had the distinction of being the Rockies first ever draft pick (1st round, 27th overall). He signed with the Rockies and even made 10 starts with the Bend Rockies that year where he went 2-0 with a 2.41 ERA.

The next year, he made 28 starts between high A Central Valley and AAA Colorado Springs. After that season, it seems that he started getting injured. And with a pitcher, that usually means arm problems. In 1994, he only made 12 appearances. In '95, he made 19 appearances. He must have been feeling much better in '96 as he made 38 appearances, 11 of them with the Colorado Rockies. He pitched 15.2 innings for the Rockies and had a 7.47 ERA. The next year, he had 17 appearances, 8 of them starts, for the Rockies and finished with a 2-5 record and a 6.56 ERA. In 1998, he made 2 appearances with Salem and 6 with Colorado Springs. He hung up the spikes after that.

I bought this card for $5, around 1994 or '95, at the local card shop (which is still alive and kickin'). Signature Rookies usually came with one autograph per pack, but the packs usually consisted of minor leaguers or draft picks. I never bought any packs of from this. I just bought this one card of a player that I was hoping was an up-and-comer. I didn't do too well on that one.