During his tenure with the Cubs, Burris developed into a reliable starting pitcher. His best season with the team came in 1975 when he posted a 15-10 record with a 4.12 ERA. Burris was known for his durability and ability to pitch deep into games, often completing what he started. In 1976, he led the National League in games started, taking the mound 37 times.
In 1979, Burris was traded to the New York Yankees, where he played a part of the season before being traded again to the New York Mets. His time with the Mets was brief, and he moved on to the Montreal Expos in 1981. With the Expos, Burris found a new level of success. He played a crucial role in the team's 1981 postseason run, pitching two complete games in the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies and the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Burris continued to pitch effectively for the Expos until 1983, when he joined the Oakland Athletics. His stint with the Athletics was short-lived, and he soon found himself with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1984. Burris provided veteran leadership and stability to the Brewers' pitching staff, contributing both as a starter and reliever.
In 1985, Burris signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he continued to demonstrate his pitching prowess. He finished his career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1987, retiring with a career record of 108 wins, 134 losses, and an ERA of 4.17. Over his career, Burris pitched in 430 games, starting 302 of them, and logged over 2,000 innings.
Ray Burris's career was characterized by his ability to adapt and persevere through the challenges of professional baseball.
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