UB's Peaceful Warrior

On April 6, senior pitcher/infielder Mike Burke hurled a complete game for the baseball team, allowing only two earned runs and striking out five to improve his season record to 4-2.

When he left the mound after the ninth inning, the Bulls' coaching staff had surprising news for him: he had set a new school record with 18 wins.

Many athletes would soak up the moment and celebrate their historic feat. Not Burke.

"I had no idea I set the record," Burke said. "After I won the game, I was approached by the pitching coach [Steve Ziroli] and he told me. But I didn't care. I was excited, but I was focused on getting better for next week."

Burke's quiet demeanor can be misleading. He is Buffalo's silent leader. Burke doesn't have to say much to get his point across to his teammates.

"It's a quiet confidence," said Buffalo head coach Ron Torgalski. "He doesn't say two words, but when he steps onto the diamond, he has more confidence than anyone on the field."

Before developing his confidence and dominance on the mound, Burke had to overcome his shyness as a child.

"He was painfully shy as a child," said his mother, Christine Burke. "He was very quiet, especially around adults, and it was really a concern for us."

His parents searched for an outlet for the young Burke. After multiple attempts to find the right fit, it was evident Burke found his outlet when he first picked up a baseball glove at 4 years old.

"He was a natural," Christine said. "We just knew the field was his place to shine."

Burke fell in love with the game instantly. He yearned to play every second of the day. He would stay outside for eight hours a day throwing a ball against the side of his Cleveland, Ohio, house.

"When there were rainouts, he would look out the window in full uniform and be mad at [me] because he couldn't play that day," said his father, Mike Burke Sr.

As Burke aged, he established a comfort zone on the baseball diamond. Whether it was in his backyard or on a travel team, he emerged out of his shell as long he had a bat or glove in hand.

When Burke was 9, he joined the Diamond Sports Saints travel team in Cleveland and played baseball nearly all year long. Burke went into that season as a third baseman.

He left with a newfound talent: pitching.

"When he was on the travel team, he was playing only third base," Mike Sr. said. "[Burke] was playing a 10/11-year-old team and our pitcher couldn't throw a strike. The coach threw Mikey on the mound just to see what he could do. He walked the first batter then struck out the side for two straight innings."

After that season, Burke worked on multiple aspects of his game, including his pitching. No matter what position Burke was playing, he never trained for pride or glory. He trained to be the best athlete possible.

Motivation

Burke doesn't live the stereotypical life for a Division I athlete, or many college students for that matter. He lives a straightedge lifestyle, free from any alcohol or drugs.

"It has been a lifelong thing for me," Burke said. "I don't have any enemies if people choose to [use drugs or alcohol], but it has been a lifestyle that has not only worked for me, but changed my life as well."

Before Burke entered high school, he shaped his lifestyle around what he learned growing up. Burke takes advice from any source he can find. If he learns something that helps him improve, he sees no reason not to use it.

Burke found his inspiration in an unusual way: through a movie.

The film is Peaceful Warrior. Based on a true story, the 2006 film portrays the life of Dan Millman, a college gymnast who had it all: looks, talent and confidence. Millman meets a man he calls "Socrates" at a gas station who changes his perspective on life.

While training for nationals, Millman suffers a devastating leg injury and his return seems impossible. With guidance from Socrates, though, Millman goes through a spiritual journey and eventually works his way back to the national stage. Throughout the course of the movie, Millman's demeanor shifts from arrogance to humble dedication.

The story changed Burke's life.

"It's more than just a movie," Burke said. "Ever since I saw it freshman year in high school, it has had a huge impact on my life. Everything in the movie is how you should go about your athletics. You do it because you love it, not for the glory."

Before he saw Peaceful Warrior, Burke did not know how to act mentally and physically on the field.

"The movie took out a lot of garbage in my mind," Burke said. "It made me realize that baseball will always bring happiness to me."

Burke's tireless work ethic was unparalleled, according to his high school baseball coach, Brad Ganor. With the right mindset and motivation, Burke was ready for his biggest competition to date: St. Ignatius High School baseball.

The prestigious baseball program in Cleveland, Ohio, witnessed many professional athletes pass through its ranks, including former Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Matt Kata and Miami Marlins infielder Derek Dietrich, along with current Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer. Hoyer still holds the school record with 18 career home runs.

In high school, Burke wanted to prove himself as a ball player while learning from Ganor. Despite Burke's quiet demeanor, Ganor recognized his abilities. Eventually, he was legitimized as one of the best baseball players to walk through the halls of the school.

As a junior, Burke broke the school batting record with a .573 average.

Ganor said Burke was one of his favorite players to coach. If Ganor wanted Burke at shortstop, he was there. If he needed to pull Burke from his infield position to pitch out of the bullpen, Burke was ready.

"He just did it," Ganor said. "Those are the types of players I admire. I use Mike as an example for my players now."

By the end of his senior year of high school, Burke had earned back-to-back first-team All-Cuyahoga River Conference honors, three sectional championships and two district championships.

After high school, he was offered the opportunity to continue his baseball career. One school stood out above all the rest for Burke: UB.

Many athletes face a dilemma when choosing a university. For Burke, it was a simple choice. He wanted a school that allowed him to play every day, as he did in high school.

"When I went to visit other schools, they only wanted me as a pitcher," Burke said. "UB recruited me as a position player and I transitioned into a pitcher as time went on."

The opportunity to play immediately also appealed to Burke. Buffalo was graduating 12 senior players from the season before. He didn't care which position he was placed at - he just wanted to play.

Burke made a defining impact in his first game as a Bull, when he delivered two hits and a home run. He has played in at least 50 games in each of his first three seasons and hit .272 during that span.

But Burke is a pitcher. He has known this since he was 9. He has the ability to control a game, and it is no surprise that Torgalski views Burke as the workhorse of the rotation and his "Sunday go-to" starting pitcher - typically the strongest pitcher on a college staff.

"He has gotten better every season," Torgalski said. "I have never coached a guy more focused than Mike. He wants an opportunity to pitch at the next level and at this rate, I can see that happening."

The Future

Burke is 5-3 with a 3.27 ERA so far in the 2014 season - his last season of college baseball. He is not ready to leave the game he loves.

"I want to get drafted," Burke said. "I am going to do anything I can to achieve my dream."

If you were in a room with Burke, you may not realize his presence for a few moments. But when you see him on the baseball diamond, you will notice him instantly.

Burke is not one to brag about his level of play. Instead, he notices the errors in his game and strives to correct them.

"He wants to make good moments," Mike Sr. said. "He likes to bring up good memories, but he doesn't like to dwell on them because he knows tomorrow is coming."

His father taught Burke work ethic. The game taught him confidence.Peaceful Warrior taught him how to be himself.

"The film taught me you can't live life in regret just because you didn't make it," Burke said. "You just have to keep looking forward. Life is a wonderful journey and do what you love."

The baseball team has 12 regular season games remaining. That leaves 12 games for Burke to make an even bigger impact on the program than he already has. But he's not satisfied with 12 more games. The Bulls are looking for a deep postseason run.

"I've been with some of these guys for four years," Burke said. "Walking out of the season with a ring would mean the world to me."

When the season is over, Torgalski and the rest of the coaching staff must succumb to the obvious yet devastating reality: Burke and the rest of the senior class are set to trade in their uniforms for commencement robes in a few short weeks.

Torgalski is grateful for the effort and leadership Burke instilled in the team.

"[Burke] will always give it all he's got," Torgalski said. "When you enter the heat of battle, he's the guy you want on your team. I wish I had a player like that to coach every year."

email: sports@ubspectrum.com