Sports Notebook: Cardinals saluting former catcher, longtime volunteer

Bobby Joe Burns, Richard McAllister being added to Newcastle team’s wall of fame

Bobby Joe (Hector) Burns, left, and Richard McAllister, right, will be inducted to the Newcastle Mike’s Bar and Grill Cardinals wall of fame this summer. (Photos: Submitted)

MIRAMICHI • The Newcastle Mike’s Bar and Grill Cardinals will honour a former catcher and sponsor, and one of their longtime volunteers, at this year’s wall of fame ceremony.

The Cardinals will add Bobby Joe (Hector) Burns and Richard McAllister to the left-field wall at Memorial Field in a pre-game ceremony on July 25 at 7:30 p.m. before their date with the Chatham Head Tigers that night.

Burns has been a lifelong contributor to the Cardinals organization, starting as a bat boy and eventually suiting up for the squad during its senior baseball era — playing nearly every position and providing a steady swing at the top of Newcastle’s rotation. He continues to support the team today as a builder.

McAllister is being inducted posthumously. He was a longtime volunteer with the Cardinals and was known for supporting local baseball and hockey teams.