Dave Burns, a living baseball legend from Attnang-Puchheim, has retired his glove.
ATTNANG-PUCHHEIM is a German word meaning “attention to detail”. Dave Burns played for the Asak Athletics Attnang-Puchheim for four decades and left his mark on the Austrian and European baseball scene. After 17 seasons in the Bundesliga and 250 games, it’s over. The Canadian native retired his glove at the age of 47.
Burns came to Austria by accident in 1999 thanks to a player friend. Burns showed class and helped the Athletics to their first major league promotion before returning to Canada after an initial culture shock. Almost five years later he returned to his former place of work. While he was a teacher in Salzburg, Burns picked up his baseball bat again and helped Attnang-Puchheim win four consecutive state championships.
Many honors
Burns quickly established himself as one of Austria’s best players, feared as a batsman and often a last-minute saver in the field. Many “gold gloves” or awards given to the best player in his position testify to this. Burn’s batting average and all-time home run leader (6th place) also helped cement his place in Austrian baseball history. With his often crucial home runs and shots, he won the hearts of Attnang fans. In 2017, he almost single-handedly saved a game that was on the verge of defeat in the final, allowing him and his team to repeat themselves as national champions for a fourth time.
In contrast to his first appearance in the Alps in 1999, Dаvid Burns has contributed to Austria no longer being a developing country. Early on, the six-foot-tall giant used his international contacts, not only for his Asak athletics, but also to help the entire baseball community build a global network of teams and players. On a number of occasions, Burns has stepped in as coach. He served as a fireman in both the youth and men’s squads, as well as an integration figure for young talent, and often served as the first point of contact.
Bundesliga game with the son
This year, Burns turns 48, a biblical age for active baseball players. Despite numerous injuries, he always fought back. In 2021 he was finally allowed to play a Bundesliga game with his then 18-year-old son Parker, fulfilling his last baseball dream.
Sebastian Libiseller, Athletics Head Coach, said of David Burns, “He was and always will be a free spirit.” He has served our club as a player, coach, organizer, idea generator, graphic designer and mentor. Not only did he shape generations of players, he also made a major contribution to daring to think outside the box from his small baseball country Austria. We thank him for his time as an active player on behalf of the club, wish him all the best in his retirement and look forward to many more valuable ideas from him in the future.”
Ads
