Burrell joins the wall of fame

Pat Burrell arrived in Philadelphia 15 years ago. He was a 22-year-old rookie. A kid who did not know what to expect, Burrell said. A leader of the 2008 World Series championship squad, Burrell said he and the city had their ups and downs through his nine-year tenure.

"But the only thing that matters to me is the way it ended," Burrell said. "I was on the back of some Clydesdales riding down Broad Street."

Burrell was back in town on Friday night, sans the Clydesdales. He was added to the Phillies wall of fame, the first member of the 2008 squad to receive the honor.

"It's incredible," Burrell said. "I always knew the fans were behind me. Even in the tough times. But when David Montgomery called and said I was voted in by the fans, it was overwhelming. I was here for nine years. The team wasn't very good when we got here, but leaving on a high note was great. The fans make this place special."

The former leftfielder kept the mood light as he went off the script with a lighthearted speech that took playful jabs at some of his former managers and teammates. Burrell sarcastically applauded Larry Bowa for his even keel while he said Charlie Manuel hung on every pitch. He joked that maybe Chase Utley will smile once he returns from his ankle injury.

Utley, one of Burrell's closest friends, presented Burrell with a miniature version of his wall of fame plaque. Utley was accompanied by the three granddaughters of late Phillies player and coach John Vukovich, who was a mentor to Burrell when he was breaking into the major leagues.

The Phillies played a video message from former San Francisco Giants third-base coach Tim Flannery, a friend of Vukovich's. Before Burrell's final game in 2011, when he was with the Giants, Flannery took the "VUK" patch he wore under his coaching helmet and gave it to Burrell to stash in his pocket. He told him Vukovich was with him for his final game.

"Miss you, Vuk," Burrell told the crowd on Friday. "Wish you were here."

Burrell even ribbed former teammate and roommate Jason Michaels, who helped Nick Punto unveil Burrell's plaque in Ashburn Alley.

"When I was walking into the ballpark today, I got a little concerned. I saw an abundance of police officers around the stadium. I guess they were expecting a big crowd. I was just concerned that J-Mike wouldn't be able to make it in the building," Burrell said, referencing Michaels' 2005 arrest for allegedly punching a police officer outside an Old City nightclub.

Burrell ended by thanking the fans. He then raised the microphone to the crowd for one last cheer.