Singled Out
“Singled Out” by Andrew Maraniss tells the groundbreaking story of Glenn Burke, the first openly gay Major League Baseball player. Burke played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics in the 1970s, and while he was known as a charismatic teammate and talented outfielder, his career was cut short largely due to homophobia in the sport. Maraniss shines a light on the discrimination Burke faced from management, teammates, and the baseball establishment, revealing how a culture of silence and exclusion in professional sports limited his opportunities despite his potential.
The book explores Burke’s personal journey beyond baseball, highlighting his courage to live authentically at a time when doing so was far from accepted. Known for bringing joy and energy to the game, Burke was also credited with popularizing the “high five,” a symbol of celebration that lives on in sports culture today. Yet behind that iconic moment, Burke struggled with rejection, as teams pushed him aside and society marginalized him for his sexuality. His story illustrates both the resilience and the pain of being true to oneself in a hostile environment.
Maraniss situates Burke’s experience within the broader context of American culture in the 1970s and 1980s, weaving in themes of race, sexuality, and the AIDS crisis. Burke’s life intersected with pivotal moments in history, and his struggles mirrored the challenges faced by many in the LGBTQ+ community at the time. His post-baseball years were marked by hardship, including health battles and estrangement from the game he loved, yet his legacy grew as others began to recognize his role as a trailblazer.
“Singled Out” is a moving and deeply human story about courage, identity, and the cost of living authentically. Maraniss honors Glenn Burke as more than a baseball player—he was a pioneer who paved the way for future generations of LGBTQ+ athletes. Though his career was unfairly cut short, his openness and defiance of stereotypes left a lasting mark on sports and society, reminding us that true victory is found in being unapologetically oneself.