 Again facing tougher competition in the National League, Burns' batting average dropped 84 points from the prior season to .222.He appeared in his final major league game on July 23, 1885, a 15–3 loss to the New York Giants in which Burns played center field, had no hits in four at bats, and committed two errors in three chances for the Maroons.In early July 1885, "The Sporting Life" reported that Burns was signed to play for the minor league baseball club in Waterbury, Connecticut, at a salary of $200 a month.