Video: How will Burrell be remembered?
What is Pat Burrell's legacy? Marcus Hayes of the Daily News and Bob Ford of the Inquirer discuss.
Video: How will Burrell be remembered?
Video: What is Pat Burrell’s legacy? Marcus Hayes of the Daily News and Bob Ford of the Inquirer discuss.
Comments (43)
I won't even watch this video. Pat Burrell was a class act during his entire career. Say what you want from him, but is annual averages of HR's/RBI's were not too shabby. Expectations were too high on him as he was the post-J.D.Drew pick and was the "savior". In the end, his hit in the 2008 World Series (his only hit in that series) proved to be the winning run (Bruntlett scored it of course). I know the Mets won't cry with his retirement.— drhoffman- Left his best games in the men's room at the Continental and other clubs. Average fielder, hot and cold hitter. No icon for sure, had a decent but unremarkable career. Probably will make the Phillies Wall of Fame, but who doesn't anymore?— jimmymack
- Put him on the list with Von Hayes and Darren Daulton as one of the biggest jerks to ever put on a Phillies uniform.— Astro Jones
- As Billy Wagner said, he had one swing plane. He never learned to hit a breaking ball. In my opinion, the only time he had success is when a pitcher left a fastball over the middle of the plate in a hitter's count. He couldn't adapt and he did not care about situational baseball. He played with minimal energy and was a below average fielder with below average speed. Anyboyd who knows anything about hitting knows that his swinging mechanics ware beyond ugly.
But he did get the game winning hit in the World Series...— bdd5014 - One swing plane or not, Burrell repeatedly took that long swing and hammered Billy Wags zero movement fastball to left center for a key home run during Wagner's time with the Mets. Burrell was clutch against the Mets and Wagner. For that reason alone Burrell will be remembered fondly in this town. — Special Agent Fox Mulder
Drhoffman said it best. Who cares what he did after hours? In the end, he hurt no one, he bad mouthed no one, took a heck of a lot of slings and arrows from the fanbase and showed nothing but class and respect in return. He represented the uniform and city well. He will be missed except by the stinkin' Mutts who he took special glee in torching! And in the end, his one lonely hit in the 2008 World Series helped deliver a World Championship to this city and it's fans. While Rolen sour pussed his way out of town, Burrell stayed. He will be looked upon fondly as the years go by, a good player whom the fans wished could have done more. He did enough. Well done, Pat.- Pat was a good player and the Phillies adjusted nicely to what he gave them in the lineup and field. Had some clutch hit ability. By all accouts a good teamate and stand-up guy with the fans and media. All in all, just as good or slightly better than what Mr. Drew would have offered.— dfoorce3
- If Marcus Hayes doesn't like him...Burrell must be alright...and by the way, it looks like Marcus must be 300 lbs...of course 200 of that is ego...— Buck Dharma
- He helped the win the WS in 2008!— gmuny2002
- If you read Rosa Blasi's expose of former jock boyfriends, Pat will be remembered for his disappointing "shortcomings."— Carl Nidray
- I never heard of Pat getting into a car wreck while drunk and he never bad mouthed his teammates or former teammates. He took all this city could dish out and handled it with class. He may not have been the best but he carried this team the first half of 08 until the rest of the team got hot. Why does everyone have to bash this guy every chance they get. HE didn't proclaim himself the next Mike Schmidt or the teams savior, he just went out and played. If you were rich, young, and good looking, wouldn't you be out having fun? I know I would. Thanks Pat! Now take Daulton's name down and put Pat on the wall.— jburd641
- Above average. Not great by a long shot. I don't recall him getting unnecessary grief from fans so I don't know where people get that. When he was hot, he was great. But that was about 25% of the time. The rest of the time he was average. For some reason, people love to over-analyze him (media and some fans).— AvoidSundanceVacations
- This is my memory of Pat the bat: Every season, Burrell would go through extended slumps. many people would make excuses for him. You could say Pat the Bat got a "pass" for his lack of production....people took it easy on Pat. Some people are just lucky, I suppose. Probably if Pat was ugly he would not have gotten a "pass".— road515
- He was a better than average player. Hot and cold hitter. Covered little of the outfield. Had a good arm. He never caused trouble (as in Lenny). Better than J.D., but nothing special.— 4thand10
- Pat the Bat. textbook definition of "s--t-eatin'-grin" ridin in that parade.
thumbs up— raoool
About this blog
Bob Ford has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 1981, and is still trying to figure it all out. A former beat writer covering the Phillies and the 76ers, Ford became a general sports columnist for the Inquirer in 2003, following in and occasionally falling in the deep footsteps of Bill Lyon, Frank Dolson and many distinguished others. He comes to the Philly.com blogosphere after award-winning success as designer/editor of the fabulous Pen & Pencil Club softball blog. Likes: Palestra, inside-the-park home runs, sunny days. Dislikes: phony people, cloudy days, rewrites.
Reach Bob at bford@phillynews.com.
Bob Ford
Inquirer Sports Columnist
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