LAKEWOOD, NJ – After graduating from Bergen Catholic High School in 1999 Jim Burt, Jr. did not have anywhere to play baseball.  These days he is making his living playing the game. 

This season, Burt, 24 -a first baseman for the Hagerstown Suns [the NY Mets’ Single A affiliate],- has appeared in 57 games.  Since being promoted from Brooklyn, he has hit .257 with 11 doubles, four HR and 13 RBI.  

On August 5, Suns’ first baseman Mike Carp was placed on the disabled list.  From that time on, Burt has made the majority of the starts at first base and, in the process, has gained the approval of manager Gene Richards. 

“He’s played very good defensively, as well as offensively,” Richards said. “You couldn’t ask any more of him.”

Despite earning three varsity letters while in high school, the New Jersey native wasn’t recruited by any major college programs.  A good student in the classroom, Burt had offers from both Princeton and Harvard to play baseball and football.  Instead, he decided to go to the University of Miami.  While in Coral Gables, he walked on to the Hurricanes baseball team. 

“Ever since I was a little kid, my dream was to go to Miami,” Burt said. “That’s where my dad went and I’ve been a Miami fan my whole life.”

Burt’s father is former NFL All-Pro defensive lineman Jim Burt, Sr. New York sports fans may remember the Burts celebrating the Giants’ Super Bowl XXI victory in 1986.  The elder Burt left the field with his four-year-old son riding upon his shoulders.

The first baseman batted .371 with 14 HRs and 73 RBI as a junior in 2003.  Subsequently, he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 35^th round.  However, he declined their offer and returned to school for his senior year. 

As a senior, Burt helped lead the Hurricanes to a 50-13 record, a trip to the College World Series, and a No. 4 national ranking.  Individually, he topped the Hurricanes in six offensive categories; he nearly replicated the previous season with a .374 average, 14 HRs and 71 RBI; in addition he hit 24 doubles, slugged .692 and was on-base almost 47% of the time.

He entered the draft for the second time in 2004 and was the Mets in the 19^th Round.  That particular selection absorbed some of the shock as he anticipated to be picked earlier.

“At first, it was a huge letdown,” said Burt, a lifelong Yankee fan.  “But then, I got that the Mets called me on the second day and I was real excited.  I was going back home.”

In his first year as a professional, he played in Brooklyn, just a few miles from his hometown of Saddle River, New Jersey. “It was nice having people come to watch me play.  Being at home, and in front of New York crowds, was an awesome experience.”

Lakewood is the closest South Atlantic League team to New York and is the only chance for some of Burt’s friends and family to see him.  On Tuesday, 18 family members and friends were in attendance. 

“Playing in front of big crowds, like here in Lakewood, is something that I’m used to and I enjoy.” 

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