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Burns was shuffled to five teams in his five ML seasons, and not only because he never had a winning year. He was a crap-shooting, card-playing gambler with good stuff but no ambition, known to read newspapers or doze on the bench during games. In 1919, while in Cincinnati selling oil stock, he reportedly learned of the Black Sox' World Series plans. He won $4,000 on the first two games, then lost it all when honest Dickie Kerr won the third game. (NLM)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » May 25, 1908: Detroit scores an unearned run in the 3rd against Washington lefty Bill Burns, but not until two are out in the 9th does a Tiger collect a base hit. Germany Schaefer singles to center off "Sleepy Bill" for the only Bengal hit as Detroit wins, 1-0. Washington will lose 29 games this year by shutouts, an AL record. » July 31, 1909: For the 2nd time in two years -- the first was on May 25, 1908 -- Bill Burns has a no-hitter broken up with two outs in the 9th, when Washington's Otis Clymer singles. But Burns and the White Sox win 1–0, besting Walter Johnson in the first of two games. Burns is the only pitcher to suffer this fate twice, until Dave Stieb of Toronto does on September 24 and 30, 1988. » May 26, 1911: In one of the few games in which both appear, Christy Mathewson and Grover Cleveland Alexander are relievers in a 5–3 win for the Giants over the Phillies. Matty takes over for Bugs Raymond in the 8th after the starter gives up two quick runs. With runners on 1B and 3B, Mickey Doolan flies to Devlin in right and his perfect strike to Chief Meyers is good for a DP. The Giant score to give Matty the win over Bill Burns, though by today's standards, it would be a save. » July 2, 1911: With the Phils leading the Giants' Christy Mathewson, 4–3, Pete Alexander relieves Sleepy Bill Burns in the 7th and holds New York scoreless over the last three innings. The Phils jump on Matty for another three runs in the 8th to win, 7–3. » July 15, 1911: The Reds swap Fred Beck, last year's co-leader in homers in the NL, to the Phils, and include Bill Burns with him. The Phils send Bert Humphries to the Reds. Beck was acquired from the Braves in March, but hit just .184 for Cincy. He was the second Brave in four years to lead the NL in homers and then get shipped to the Reds in the off-season. The other, Dave Brain, last just 16 games with the Reds in 1908. » August 11, 1911: The Phillies reach Christy Mathewson for 11 hits, but fail to score as New York triumphs, 6–0. The Giants toast Bill Burns for four runs in the 1st two innings. » September 23, 1920: The Chicago grand jury indictment adds the names of former featherweight boxing champ Abe Attell, Hal Chase, and Bill Burns as go-betweens in the World Series scandal. Confessions, later repudiated, are signed by Ed Cicotte, Joe Jackson, Lefty Williams, and Happy Felsch. » September 27, 1920: Behind the pitching of Dickie Kerr, the White Sox top Detroit, 2–0. In the clubhouse following the game, copies of the Chicago papers are spread on the table. The headlines feature Philadelphia writer Jimmy Isaminger's interview with Billy Maharg where Maharg admits to his involvement, and that of former pitcher Bill Burns, in the scandal. » October 23, 1920: The Chicago grand jury indictment adds the names of former featherweight boxing champ Abe Attell, Hal Chase, and Bill Burns as go-betweens in the WS scandal. Confessions, later repudiated, are signed by Ed Cicotte, Joe Jackson, Lefty Williams, and Happy Felsch.