At parade, Burrell leads off
Fittingly, Pat Burrell rides in front.
At parade, Burrell leads off
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
And Pat Burrell led them in.
The first Phillies presence in the parade was Burrell, along with his wife and his dog, perched on the front of a Budweiser beer wagon pulled by Clydesdales. He isn't their best player and he isn't their most-popular player, but it seems as if he has been here forever. In what might very well have been his last at-bat with the team, with free-agency looming, he banged that double off of the wall in left-centerfield in the seventh inning of Game 5, setting up the go-ahead run.
After the game, he knew it might have been his last swing. In the clubhouse, he said, "We play in a tough-ass town to play in, and I'm proud of that. I'm proud to say I played here. I'm behind this city because of the fact that they were behind me. To be able to hand this over to him, it's going to be good...
"Who knows what's going to happen. It's going to be hard for me to walk out of this town. But ultimately, that decision is not going to be up to me."
But that is for later. What we know for sure is that the double off of the wall was not Burrell's last act. Leading them home was.
Love you, Pat. Your team spirit is a beacon. I hope you will be back!— Moi- I must admit, I got a little emotional seeing Pat the Bat leading the parade. Which leads to a more pressing question: What will Adam Eaton's role be next year?— benjyedwards
- Pat leading the parade with the Clydesdales and his dog Elvis was the highlight of the parade for me. Loved it - so emotional, especially because it might be his last year with the Phillies - I hope you enjoyed every second of today Pat, because you richly deserved it.— flyersfan74
- Pat leading the parade with the Clydesdales and his dog Elvis was the highlight of the parade for me. Loved it - so emotional, especially because it might be his last year with the Phillies - I hope you enjoyed every second of today Pat, because you richly deserved it.— flyersfan74
- This thread actually moved me to register for this site after many years. Just want to make sure we remember that Burrell absolutely carried this team for the first 4-6 weeks of the season. If Burrell (and Utley) hadn't hit this team would have been so far back as to lead to a talent sell off. Howard (.168), Ruiz (.203), Victorino (.238), Felix (.218), Rollins and others had very slow starts.— PhillyinSF
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- BTW, Pat has been the least selfish player on a team of over-achievers... I'm sure he recognizes that he's behind Hamels, Howard, Utley, and Rollins on the Retention list... however, (regardless of his overall numbers) Burrell is one of the greatest leaders and motivators that we currently have on the pay roll. J-Roll may predict 100 wins (which we got with the World Series!), but Pat is that guy in the clubhouse that helps others believe in their own ability,,,,THAT player will always lead your clubhouse and will demand the same effort from rookies as he will veterans... Whether he chose it or not, and regardless of fan opinion, Pat Burrell will be the clubhouse leader for the Phils for years to come! Welcome to the shoes last filled BY Darren Daulton... it'll be tough, but will lead us to a "dynasty"— flavinp
- dont over pay the guy, if he comes back for the right price, than so be it. Left fielders with HR power arent too hard to find.— ctowm
- Thanks, Pat, and give Elvis an extra dog biscuit. He was awesome in the parade!— ChescoMom
- Flash and Kendrick and the I-Pigs guys were there. In case you missed Eaton, he was about six feet in front of Burrell and Elvis (in harness).— mick314
- Pat, you've been a class player and leader, and even classier pro, in its truest sense of the word. I hope you can continue your career here in Philadelphia and if not, thanks once more and good luck.— R.J.
