Burks was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi but raised in Fort Worth, Texas and attended Everman High School. Burks was initially overlooked by scouts and only received a scholarship offer from Ranger Junior College after a showcase at Arlington Stadium. His school lost a junior college championship to the Jay Buhner-led McLennan Community College.\n', '

Selected by the Boston Red Sox in the first round (20th pick) of the 1983 Major League Baseball draft, Burks made his debut in the 1987 season as a regular center fielder at age 22, becoming the third player in Red Sox history to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in one season. He was selected to both the Baseball Digest and Topps "All-Rookie" teams. Defensively, Burks showed excellent range, a sure glove and a strong arm. Burks, however, was injury-prone. He had shoulder surgery in 1989, and it was the first of many setbacks for him. During the 1990 season he hit two home runs in the same inning of a game, to become the second player in Red Sox history to achieve the feat; Bill Regan was the first, in 1928.\n', '

At a time when Boston and the Red Sox had a reputation of being inhospitable to black people and ballplayers, Burks had very uneasy relationships with manager Joe Morgan and clubhouse leaders Wade Boggs and Mike Greenwell, both southerners. Burks was especially shaken by the case of Charles Stuart, a white Bostonian who murdered his wife, alleged that the murderer was a black man and was initially believed by the police and media.\n', '

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