Two veteran hitters made the most of limited opportunities this week and reminded the league that experience still matters. Toronto’s Ellis Burks exploded in a short series to capture United League Player of the Week honors, while Chicago second baseman Robby Thompson delivered power and production to lead the Federal League.
United League: Burks Makes Every Swing Count
Ellis Burks didn’t need a full week to make his case. In just three games, the Toronto right fielder went 6-for-11 (.545) and launched 4 home runs while driving in 7 runs. His slugging percentage soared over 1.500, and his impact on the series was undeniable.
Burks, now 30, has had a rocky season in terms of batting average (.230), but his 18 home runs suggest he’s still more than capable of punishing mistakes. This outburst could be a turning point for him as the Blue Jays look to gain ground in the standings.
Federal League: Thompson Turns Back the Clock
Chicago’s Robby Thompson put together one of his strongest weeks of the season, batting .429 (6-for-14) with 4 home runs, 7 RBIs, and 5 runs scored. The 33-year-old second baseman showed he can still deliver at a high level, especially when it comes to timely power hitting.
While Thompson’s season line of .239 with 12 home runs and 30 RBIs doesn’t jump off the page, this week proved he’s still a valuable asset in Chicago’s lineup. When he’s locked in, Thompson adds veteran savvy and sneaky pop from the middle infield.
Veteran Sparkplugs
Burks and Thompson might not be leading their leagues in average or WAR, but this week they delivered where it counts: in the box score. Both provided clutch power that helped their teams and put them back on the radar.
Whether these performances are signs of a second-half surge or brief flashes of brilliance remains to be seen—but for now, both veterans earned their spotlight the old-fashioned way: by raking.