Burdock did not hit particularly well, but he stood out offensively in 1883, surging to 88 runs batted in; he did not drive in half that many runs in any other major-league season. That same year, Burdock succeeded first baseman John Morrill as the team's manager. After the team started the season 30-24, the managerial job went back to Morrill and Burdock devoted his full attention to second base. The team captured the National League pennant.
