Burrell's first Series hit huge

PHILADELPHIA — Pat Burrell walked to the plate for the biggest at-bat of his career and took a deep breath.

"I was just trying to make good contact," Burrell said. "We needed a baserunner and I just wanted to get on."

That, of course, is easier said than done. Burrell came to the plate to lead off the seventh inning of Game 5 with the score tied and locked in an 0-for-12 World Series slump. He had two walks in this game, but those came back Monday, when rain suspended action after 5 1/2 innings.

Now, two days later, Burrell had a chance to ignite his team in a way he had only dreamed about a decade ago when the Phillies made the University of Miami power-hitting third baseman the No. 1 pick overall in the 1998 draft.

"Everybody made a lot of him not getting any hits but he's had some big at-bats and good at-bats in this series," said close friend Jason Michaels, who in 10 days will get married with Burrell at his side after a decadelong friendship that began on that Miami team and continued after he was drafted on that same day as Burrell by the Phillies several rounds later. "I've seen him get big hits my whole life. I felt this one coming."

Michaels, now with Pittsburgh, saw it coming as did 45,000 or so others as Burrell crushed a J.P. Howell offering off the wall in center field to get things going. Eric Bruntlett came in to pinch run and later scored the game-winning run as the Phillies beat Tampa Bay 4-3 to secure a World Series title Wednesday.

Burrell has had his ups and downs over the years, but no low was ever as extreme as this high.

"My wife told me, not today but the other day before the game that Pat was going to get a big hit," Eyre said. "Wow, for your first hit to be that one, in the World Series, unbelievable."

"This isn't about one guy and no one knows that better than Pat," second baseman Chase Utley said. "It's about the team and no one knows that better than Pat. So who better than Pat to get that hit?"

"It's hard to explain how this felt," said Burrell, who went 10-for-44 for a .227 average in the playoffs, but nobody had eight more important RBIs than he did over 14 games. "It's been so long. I've seen it all in this town and I love this town and it's just an amazing feeling to get this done."

Burrell has been different this year. He's been reflective, as this is almost certainly his final season with the Phillies. Despite good numbers during the season and a great postseason, the left fielder will most likely move on when his contract is up after this year. While negotiations will certainly be conducted, Burrell's final moment may have been that double and the eventual game-winning run.

"I don't know how this is all going to run out," Burrell said. "I'd love to stay but that's not to talk about now. Let's just enjoy the moment."

A moment that no one waited longer for to come and certainly, a moment that Burrell will never forget.

(courierpostonline.com)