Phillies, fans glad to see familiar face

PHILADELPHIA - Pat Burrell sat in the visiting dugout at Citizens Bank Park for the first time in his career.

He played nine seasons with the Phillies and five at CBP, but it was the first time he looked across the diamond from the third-base side.

So much has changed for Burrell in a few short months. Instead of red, Burrell wears navy blue with white block letters on his cap.

There is no more script "'P."

There is no red in his wardrobe.

Burrell is the designated hitter on the Tampa Bay Rays, the team that lost to Philadelphia in the 2008 World Series.

"That's the weird part. Being at the park is great, but I've never come over here and seen the view from this side," Burrell said before the Rays' 3-2 loss in an exhibition game against his former team Friday night. "It's very different, in a good way. But it's definitely a change."

Raul Ibanez took his place in left field for the Phillies. Ibanez signed a three-year free-agent deal for $31.5 million before the season.

"He's Pat the Bat," said fan Karen Vargas, 28, who had a heart sign with Burrell's name on it. "I wish he never left and I wanted him to know I wished he was still here."

The organization didn't forget the player it drafted in the first round of the 1998 amateur draft. Before the game, a five-minute video tribute for Burrell, who hit 251 home runs for the Phillies in nine seasons, played on the big screen. Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is" accompanied the video tribute.

But it won't be the last time fans see Burrell.

There is another exhibition game today against the Rays (1:05 p.m.) and he is coming back Wednesday to receive his ring. The ceremony begins before the 3:05 p.m. regular-season game against the Atlanta Braves. The Rays have a 7:10 game in Boston that night.

"I haven't gotten a chance to see (the ring)," Burrell said. "I just saw (team president) David (Montgomery) and said, 'Come on. I know you've got one in your pocket.' It's fortunate that we are in a city that's close to here and the games are different times. Luckily, it worked out this way."

Burrell could have reacted a number of ways to the Ibanez signing that ended his career with the Phillies but publicly he still praised the team. He never seemed bitter.

"I look at the situation and I've seen that happen before," Burrell said. "But I have nothing but good things to say about the organization and my time here. It's hard to feel that way for me."

The 39,388 fans weren't the only ones who missed Burrell. Many former teammates and coaches made the short walk across the field to talk with him Friday.

Phillies first-base coach Davey Lopes and bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer chatted and hugged him before the game. Utility player Greg Dobbs made it over as well.

There was a lot of love for Burrell at CBP.

"We're going to miss Pat. He was here for a long time," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "Everyone on our team liked Pat. Pat was a big contributor. He played a big role of leadership in the clubhouse. We are going to miss him. If he had to leave, I am glad he is in the American league."

Rays' manager Joe Maddon is glad he is in the American League, too. It didn't take Burrell too long to adjust to his new role as the designated hitter.

In addition, Maddon entrusted Burrell to talk to the younger players.

"He's not afraid to give his opinion. I have already seen him talk to a couple of guys," Maddon said. "He's very comfortable doing that. At the same time, he doesn't have to say a lot because his work is so good."

Burrell spent his first nine seasons with the Phillies before signing a $16 million, two-year deal with the Rays in January. He faced the Phillies in spring training and received a warm welcome by Philadelphia fans in Clearwater, Fla., on Feb. 28.

However, Burrell was nervous before Friday's exhibition. With his love-hate relationship with the Philadelphia fans, the reaction could have gone either way.

But the applause overwhelmed him before the game and during his at-bats. He got an RBI single in his first appearance.

The crowd erupted again.

A new group will get a chance to show its appreciation today. Maddon said Burrell, who finished 1-for-3 with a stolen base Friday, will play left field when the game is played under National League rules.

"There's been some years where I didn't play very well and it can take a toll on you," Burrell said. "But I think for the most part, it's been a pretty good relationship. Even the years where I didn't play good. I have a lot of respect for the fans here."

Over the years, Burrell was pelted with boos. Critics called for his trade.

But in the end, there were just cheers.

(pressofatlatlanticity.com)