Out at Home: The Glenn Burke Story

by Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman (With)

Before Jason Collins, before Michael Sam, there was Glenn Burke. By becoming the first and only openly gay player in Major League Baseball, Glenn would become a pioneer in his own way, nearly thirty years after another black Dodger rookie, Jackie Robinson, broke the league s color barrier. This is Glenn s story, in his own words . . .Touted by scouts and coaches alike as the next Willie Mays, Burke, a charismatic outfielder, kept his sexuality off the radar for a good two seasons, which included a World Series appearance. He was even credited with inventing the high five with teammate Dusty Baker.But when the Dodgers front office got wind of Burke s sexuality, the damage control started, including efforts by upper management to talk him into a sham marriage. When Burke refused, he was eventually traded to Oakland, where he received a less-than-warm welcome from incoming manager Billy Martin. The prejudice, coupled with an injured knee, forced Burke into retirement at only twenty-seven years old.Now, two decades after his death from AIDS-related complications, the man who started the conversation is finally being included in it. Major League Baseball recognized him as a gay pioneer at the 2014 All-Star game. And Burke has become a source of inspiration for athletes who refuse to be defined by who they love, while doing what they love.Includes a new afterword by coauthor Erik Sherman reflecting on the two decades that have passed since Burke s death.Foreword by Billy Bean "

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir

128 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1995

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally read this book as my "pride" month book but it was clearly more than a simple baseball story. Glenn's story was one of baseball and society, of love of a game, and hatred of a section of people. Long after his death Glenn's life lives on in those who in the community he left behind. A history I am glad to be a part of.

[Sarah]

At first I was not a fan of the writing style of this book by the end it had grown on me a lot! Glenn Burke's story of his own life was absolutely compelling, and he said a lot about racism and homophobia in baseball (and in general) that was very interesting. He was so incredibly brave for his time. May he rest in peace.

[Sterling Hardaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so inspiring to read the story of Glenn Burke in his own voice, it felt like listening to the stories your grandad or beloved uncle would tell.
.
.
.
Glenn Burke was the first athlete of a major American sport( ⚾️🏀🏈🏒) to come out as gay, as well as the first MLB player to come out.
.
.
.
A Bay Area native who grew up on 62nd Street on the Oakland/Berkeley border, as a player on the LA Dodgers he was the first to give a “high-five” in sports to his teammate Dusty Baker in 1977. Just think of all the iconic sports moments and photos we wouldn’t have without the high-five!!!
.
.
.
His majors career ended after two seasons with the Oakland A’s, where he faced discrimination for being queer and Billy Martin said to Burke’s teammates “no f****ts going to ever play on my ball club”.
.
.
.
He died in 1995 from complications from AIDS and sadly didn’t live to see this book come to life. But I hope he would be proud of it.
.
.
.
I highly recommend any sports fan to read this one, it’s a quick read. Glenn Burke is a Black queer sports icon whose story deserves to be elevated, honored, and celebrated.

[Anup Sinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book read itself, for me. Not only was I fascinated to her Glenn Burke’s story through his own words but it was a nice stroll through the 1970’s Major League Baseball and in particular the powerful Dodger teams of that era.

Unlike Billy Bean a decade later, Burke’s teammates were well aware of his homosexuality but he hid it from media and fans. The story of his double life as a very physical and masculine baseball player who went to the Castro District on his free time is remarkable but also sad because it’s clear he had a hard time dealing with it all in the long run.

Burke had his demons, though he doesn’t discuss them in much detail, focusing more on the good. He died before this book was even released, unfortunately, and he knew his days were short.

I like that he’s outspoken and tells you what he really thinks of people, perhaps influenced by the fact he was dying anyway.

[Eric Berg · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is certainly an important book, a very important boom but it’s written in short declarative sentences. Burke wrote it (I don’t see a ghost writer) so one must give him credit for taking the step into the literary world. A tough one to rate.

[James Mayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Not bad, I was surprised that the dogers were anti-gay in the beginning. So it is interesting to see what they are now and how they were back then. Becuase I know them more for queer realted event in baseball.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was originally published in 1995; I like to think some things have changed in the 20 years since. As a fan of the game I recall many of the players and officials Burke names. I even have Glenn's baseball card. For those familiar with the game at the time it's interesting to see the attitudes of well known people in the game. But even a non-fan can appreciate the attitudes of them.
Burke goes into some detail of his relationship with Tommy Lasorda & his son Tommy, Jr (Spunky) but I would love to have learned more. If there's any biography about Spunky I'm not aware of it. I did find the book maybe a bit simple where it gets off the topic of the game and talks about gay life and especially HIV. But I suppose that's due to its intended audience. I'm glad that this republication includes an update and the transcripts of MLB's press conference with Glenn's sister Lutha and Billy Bean, baseball's Ambassador of Inclusion.

[Daryl Grigsby]

fascinating account of the talented Glenn Burke, a gay black man playing in the homophobic world of professional baseball.