Burke, Glenn (1962-1995), was an American baseball player. He was the first gay professional athlete that is known to have been out—that is, have his sexual orientation known—to his team. 
Glenn Lawrence Burke was born on Nov. 16, 1962, in Oakland, California. Growing up, he excelled at baseball and basketball. The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Burke in the 17th round of the 1972 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft. He played in the Dodgers’ minor league system before being called up in 1976. Burke, a right-handed outfielder, served as a backup on a talented Dodgers team.
Burke and Dodgers teammate Dusty Baker are one of several groups credited with developing and popularizing the “high-five” hand gesture. Hand-slapping gestures had existed since at least the early 1900’s, but they were usually performed at chest level or lower. During a game on Oct. 2, 1977, Baker hit his 30th home run of the season, becoming the fourth player on the team to reach the milestone. Burke, who was on deck (next to bat), walked up to congratulate Baker with his open hand extended high over his head. Baker reacted to the gesture by reaching up and slapping Burke’s hand. Burke then hit a home run himself, the first of his major league career. The two men repeated the gesture upon Burke’s return to the dugout. The high-five spread to the rest of the Dodgers lineup.
Burke realized he was gay while playing in the minor leagues. He initially hid his sexual orientation, but word spread to his teammates once he was called up to the Dodgers. Many of Burke’s teammates were supportive, but the Dodgers front office reportedly offered him $75,000 to marry a woman. Burke also befriended Tommy Lasorda, Jr., the son of Dodger’s manager Tommy Lasorda. Tommy Jr. was gay, but the elder Lasorda never acknowledged his son’s sexual orientation. In 1978, the Dodgers traded Burke to the Oakland Athletics, a move speculated to involve his sexual orientation and his friendship with Tommy Jr.
Burke suffered injuries during 1979, his first full season with the Athletics. In 1980, the new A’s manager Billy Martin openly opposed Burke once he learned he was gay. The organization quickly sent Burke down to the minor leagues and released him. Burke retired that year, frustrated with MLB’s rejection and unwilling to hide the fact that he was gay.
Burke came out publicly in 1982. He remained involved in athletics, including gay softball leagues in the San Francisco area and the first two Gay Games tournaments. Burke died from AIDS-related complications on May 30, 1995.
