Out at Home

The True Story of Glenn Burke, Baseball's First Openly Gay Player

Nonfiction, Sports, Baseball, Biography & Memoir
Cover of the book Out at Home by Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman, Penguin Publishing Group
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman ISBN: 9780698196612
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group Publication: March 3, 2015
Imprint: Berkley Language: English
Author: Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman
ISBN: 9780698196612
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Publication: March 3, 2015
Imprint: Berkley
Language: English

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**

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

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**

More books from Penguin Publishing Group

Cover of the book Dead Irish by Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman
Cover of the book Strange Flesh by Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman
Cover of the book Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue by Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman
Cover of the book The Rest of Us by Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman
Cover of the book Short and Tall Tales: Moose County Legends by Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman
Cover of the book What Would MacGyver Do? by Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman
Cover of the book Dangerous Instincts by Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman
Cover of the book Midnight Alley by Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman
Cover of the book The Misty Harbour by Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman
Cover of the book Game of Kings by Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman
Cover of the book How to Make Jewelry with Tatty Devine by Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman
Cover of the book Pope John XXIII by Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman
Cover of the book A Year with Hafiz by Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman
Cover of the book Down by Contact by Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman
Cover of the book Fire Sale by Glenn Burke, Erik Sherman
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy