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PERSONAL:
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- After his senior year at South Windsor (Conn.) High School, he was chosen in a late round by the Chicago Cubs, but opted instead to go to Clemson on a partial scholarship
- During a 1996 College World Series game, Burnham tried to do a nice deed by tossing what he thought was a foul ball into the stands as a souvenir for the fans. Unfortunately, the ball was fair. But Gary doesn't let the stigma of that gaffe affect his play now
- Following his junior season with Clemson, Burnham was drafted by the Oakland A's in the 40th round. He felt he'd go higher if he stayed in school and had an exceptional senior year, and it paid off
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Gary grew up following the Red Sox, Yankees and Mets. He became interested in the Phillies however, when they signed one of his former summer league teammates: Ricky BottalicoBurnham plays a lot of pranks and jokes on his teammates. "I think you should take the game seriously when you are out there, but I think there's a danger of taking it too seriously away from the field."Gary is about 12 hours short of his degree in public healthHe is an accomplished artist, painting and drawing protraits of sports figures in his spare time. "I've done portraits for people like Kris Benson," referring to his former Clemson teammate who was a #1 pick in the 1996 draft. His father was also a talented painter and a diehard baseball fan. By the age of 5, Gary spent every afternoon at the local park playing catch with his dad, while at night he set up his pint-sized easel next to that of Gary Sr. and painted. Now, you can see some of Gary Jr.'s work on line via the Gary Burnham Art Gallery at the Reading Phillies' Web site (www.readingphillies.com)
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His favorite medium is colored pencils, but he started out at age 5 using oil paints like his dad. Before long he found he preferred charcoal, pastels and pencils because they were not ar messy. That makes a big difference when he takes his supplies on road tripsGary never took any formal art lessons, but he did take a few painting courses at ClemsonBurnham sold his first piece back in the 8th grade, when his gym teacher paid him $50 for a portrait of Boston Celtics legend Larry BirdBurnham's grandfather Ralph Burnham Sr. played in the Brooklyn Dodgers' organization and his uncle, Ralph Jr. spent several years in the minors in the Braves' organization. His uncle used to pitch to him when he was a teenager
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In 1997, Gary was 2nd in the New York-Penn Lg. in hits, doubles and tied for 3rd in extra-base hits and was 5th in batting.The Blue Jays got Burnham for the 2002 season.July 28, 2004: The Cardinals sent INF Jerome Alviso to the Reds, acquiring Burnham.Burnham is the Reading Phillies (EL) all-time home run leader. He set the new record of 54 career homers with Reading, in August, 2006.
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