Career
He pitched for all or parts of 12 straight seasons (1923-1934) for the Indianapolis Indians of the American Association. He also fashioned a lengthy post-pitching career as a minor league manager (including two seasons, 1945-1946, as skipper of the Indianapolis franchise) and Major League pitching coach. He worked in the latter role for the Boston Red Sox (1944) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1947-1948.
1958-1962).
Burwell was acting manager of the Pirates for the final game of the 1947 season, after player-manager Billy Herman resigned as manager with one game remaining. Under Burwell, the Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds, 7-0. He also was a longtime scout for the Pirates.
While working as pitching coach for the Class B Davenport Pirates of the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League in 1949, Burwell was instrumental to the development of pitcher Vern Law, teaching him how to change speeds and throw the change-up.
Law later cited Burwell as the coach who most helped him during his time in the minor leagues. Burwell died at age 78 in Ormond Beach, Florida and is buried in nearby Daytona Beach, Florida.