Helmar “This Great Game” Card #37 – Smokey Burgess (Chicago Cubs)

In this vibrant Helmar “This Great Game” portrait, Smokey Burgess is shown poised with a bat in hand, his stance relaxed yet confident. The golden backdrop and latticework fence give the composition a warm glow, contrasting beautifully with the cool blue tones of the Cubs uniform and cap. A smaller figure in the distance practices his swing, reinforcing the sense of preparation and purpose that defined Burgess’s steady career. The artist captures both the power and humility of a player known less for flash than for consistency—a hitter who made every at-bat count.

Forrest Harrill “Smokey” Burgess was born in Caroleen, North Carolina, in 1927. A natural hitter from the start, Burgess built a reputation as one of baseball’s finest contact men and pinch-hitters. Standing only 5-foot-8 and powerfully built, he was not the typical catcher—but his short, compact swing made him a constant offensive threat. Burgess debuted in the majors with the Chicago Cubs in 1949, later becoming a key contributor for the Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

With uncanny bat control, Burgess posted a lifetime .295 average and was selected to six All-Star teams. He excelled as a clutch performer, never rattled by the game’s pressures. His finest moment came with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he helped the team capture the 1960 World Series title. As his career progressed, Burgess became one of baseball’s most respected pinch-hitters, finishing with 145 pinch hits—a record at the time of his retirement. Teammates praised his calm demeanor and keen baseball mind, traits that made him a reliable presence both behind the plate and on the bench.

Helmar’s “This Great Game” series celebrates players whose professionalism and skill earned them lasting admiration. Card No. 37 honors Smokey Burgess—a craftsman at the plate whose quiet excellence defined the art of hitting.

Original gouache painting by Sanjay Verma.