Where have you gone, Matt Burns?

[EbtsFldGuy]

Whatver happened to Matt Burns, whose fame peaked when he
posed for a picture turning the keys to Ebbets Field over to a representative of the Kratter organization?

[DODGER DEB]

While he was with US in BROOKLYN, he was involved with OUR minor league operations, under Fresco Thompson. Out on the left coast he became a Scout. Just how long he stayed there, I do not know.

How he got the job of turning over the keys, I don't know. Maybe, they tossed a coin...and he lost!

c.

[EbtsFldGuy]

I've since learned that the famous photo of Matt Burns turning the keys over was taken on December 31, 1959, the final day of the Dodgers' tenancy at Ebbets Field.

Then famous NY sportswriter Tom Meany was there for the sad occasion.

[VIBaseball]

How about this...Matt Burns joined the fledgling Mets organization. Guess he was a New Yorker at heart.

In February 1961, he was hired as administrative assistant to GM Charlie Hurth, who resigned that November. Sports Illustrated noted that he "had been brought in to work on cost schedules" -- lessons learned from "El Cheapo" Rickey, no doubt.

Burns apparently also acted as "secretary of farm team records," purchasing agent, and security man. The book For Mets Fans Only notes how he had Karl Ehrhardt's sign "Welcome to Grant's Tomb" torn down from the Shea Stadium mezzanine in 1964. Another account says that supposedly M. Donald was amused and that Burns had the sense-of-humor failure. From what I've heard of Grant, I doubt it.