:: proCanes

Pat Burrell Update

Jul/31/07 04:50 AM | Permalink

At Philadelphia, Pat Burrell homered and had three RBIs and Jamie Moyer allowed one run in seven innings in Philadelphia's rain-shortened win over Pittsburgh.

The Phillies learned before the seven-inning victory that Chase Utley, their All-Star second baseman, could miss three-to-four weeks after undergoing surgery to have a pin placed in his broken right hand. Utley was hit by a pitch on Thursday.

The game was called after a 61-minute delay following the seventh inning.

Burrell homered in a six-run third when the Phillies sent 12 batters to the plate. Michael Bourn had hits in each of the first three innings and went 4-for-4. Greg Dobbs drove in two runs.

Ronny Paulino had three hits and an RBI for the Pirates.

(iht.com)

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Pat burrell Update

Jul/19/07 12:49 PM | Permalink

The resurgent Pat Burrell (.452/.571/.871 in 40 July plate appearances) hit the 200th homer of his career. He's now seventh on the team's all-time HR list, and a scant week after multiple calls for his outright release Burrell has his season OPS up to .826.

(thegoodphight.com)

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Pat Burrell Update

Jul/17/07 02:00 PM | Permalink

Pat Burrell: On the Top 10 leaderboard, his name isn't listed. But guess who is No. 11 in the NL in on-base percentage? Pat Burrell, who is getting on base more than Lance Berkman, Jose Reyes or Matt Holliday, a current MVP contender. Hard to fathom for a guy who hit .129 in June. But check the walks: Burrell has already drawn 62 base on balls, which puts him on pace to shatter his career high of 98 in 2005.

Burrell should still be on his way out, though who knows if general manager Pat Gillick can get anyone to take him. Yet for all the flak he's gotten this year, he has hardly been a black hole in the lineup (though he hasn't been a source of power either, the same charges levied against Bobby Abreu in the past for taking too many walks). And with Burrell hitting .458 this month, there just might be signs of life.

(thebulletin.us)

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Pat's bat showing some signs of life

Jul/17/07 10:41 AM | Permalink

LOS ANGELES - In June, last night's game was exactly the kind that Pat Burrell would be watching from the bench.

Burrell was 3-for-18 against Dodgers ace Brad Penny, dating back through 2003.

Burrell slumped mightily from June 8 through the month's end: 4-for-41 - that's .098 - with one homer and six RBI. After a 2-for-22 skid from June 8-16, Phillies games largely became a spectator sport for Burrell. He was benched for nine of 13 games. He finished June hitting .203 for the season.

Then came July and, with it, a fresh chance from manager Charlie Manuel. Burrell responded: 11-for-24, three homers, 10 RBI entering last night, when Burrell started for the ninth time in 12 games and for the fifth game in a row.

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Burrell looks to have found stroke

Jul/16/07 11:19 AM | Permalink

PHILADELPHIA -- As he walked to the dugout after being lifted for a pinch-runner in the sixth inning Saturday, Pat Burrell earned a warm ovation from a sellout crowd at Citizens Bank Park.

That's what three hits and four RBIs will get you.

The maligned Phillies left fielder continued to break out of his 21?-month slump by going 3-for-3 with a two-run double in the fifth and a two-run single in the sixth, raising his average 10 points to .227.

In his past seven games, Burrell is 10-for-19 (.526) with three homers and 10 RBIs and has hiked his average from a season-low .201.

"He's not a .200 hitter," right fielder Shane Victorino said. "Everyone in their right mind would wait for him to come around. Right now, he's turning his season around."

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Time to send Burrell packing

Jul/16/07 11:14 AM | Permalink

Turns out, there are a few members of the Phillies' ownership group who are not, in fact, invisible, and one of them was walking down a hallway in Citizens Bank Park not long ago.

Suddenly, David Montgomery stopped when asked a question about the team's payroll, incredulous at the suggestion the Phillies don't do all they can in pursuit of a championship.

“Freddy was not adding to the payroll?” said Montgomery, the team president.

He was talking, of course, about the $10 million the Phillies will pay pitcher Freddy Garcia this season to do two things: pitch poorly, and not pitch at all. And yes, the trade for Garcia did marginally add to the Phillies' payroll. The franchise paid its 2006 Opening Day roster roughly $88.2 million and its 2007 Opening Day roster roughly $89.4 million.

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Burrell must go? Don't be too quick to judge

Jul/02/07 09:50 AM | Permalink

Here's the situation: Bottom of the ninth, two outs, nobody on, Phillies trail the Reds by three. As Pat Burrell walks to the plate, a very vocal portion of the 15,000 or so fans who have waited out a 40-minute rain delay rise to their feet … and boo as though the devil himself has just entered the building.

It doesn't matter that Burrell is their final hope, the only person standing between the Phillies and another game lost to the first-place Mets. The boo birds hate him. They hate him for striking out looking too often, for not hitting enough home runs and for not even batting his weight. Mostly, though, they hate him for not living up to the six-year, $50-million contract the Phillies gave him four years ago when they pegged the future of the franchise on Pat the Bat.

And those fans don't just hate him a little. They hate him with the intensity of a thousand suns, and they want him out of Philly ASAP, hence the Web site http://www.patmustgo.com , a site where fans can donate money to put toward Burrell's contract if it would help the Phillies trade him.

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Phillies Notebook: Burrell On The Bench Again

Jun/28/07 09:51 AM | Permalink

A return to Citizens Bank Park did nothing to change Pat Burrell's current role with the Phillies.

Burrell found himself out of the starting lineup for the fifth time in eight games Tuesday, with rookie Michael Bourn making his second straight start in left field. Bourn had three hits and two RBIs in Sunday's 5-1 win over St. Louis, earning him another start.

The slumping Burrell hasn't had a three-hit game since May 11. He entered Tuesday hitting .127 with a .291 slugging percentage in June, dropping his overall average to .205. Burrell's average stood at .344 through 20 games, but he began Tuesday hitting .146 since then.

Manager Charlie Manuel dodged questions about whether he still considered Burrell his regular left fielder, saying Burrell would still get chances to play. How many chances remains to be seen.

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Burrell's slump causing plenty of problems

Jun/26/07 10:11 AM | Permalink

The concerns seem to have faded into frustration or resignation.

Maybe that's because Phillies fans have seen this before. They remember 2003.

Leftfielder Pat Burrell is struggling like he struggled four years ago, when he hit .209 with 21 home runs and 64 RBIs. He is hitting .205 with eight homers and 31 RBIs this season, and is on pace to finish with 17 homers and 66 RBIs. Burrell is hitting .127 since May 30 and .146 since April 25.

His .376 slugging percentage ranks 52d out of 63 outfielders in baseball.

"Anytime you're not doing well, yeah, you're going to be frustrated," said Burrell, who has been benched four times in the last seven games. "You've just got to keep going out there and working."

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Vote of confidence, sort of, for Burrell - Despite slump, Phils not giving up on once-heralded college star

Jun/26/07 10:11 AM | Permalink

ST. LOUIS -- It hardly seems possible now, but in three seasons at the University of Miami, Pat Burrell batted .442, the seventh-highest career average in NCAA history.

"Pat Burrell was the best college hitter I've ever seen," Miami coach Jim Morris told The News Journal last week. "I'm not only talking about hitters I've coached. I'm talking about all the hitters I've seen in 29 years."

And that's what makes Burrell -- and what he's become -- so perplexing.

Burrell, the Phillies' highest-paid player at $13 million this season, didn't start Sunday for the fourth time in seven games. An eight-week slump has dropped his average to .205, the lowest it's been this late in a season since he was batting .204 on Sept. 3, 2003.

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Burrell falls in lineup, but responds with big homer

Jun/11/07 10:15 AM | Permalink

Pat Burrell, whose batting average and slugging percentage have sunk like the Titanic over the past six weeks, belted the tying home run in the ninth inning Thursday night against his nemesis, former Phillies closer Billy Wagner, who had saved a franchise-record 31 straight games for the Mets.

The slumping Burrell added an RBI double in the 10th inning, and finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs after manager Charlie Manuel dropped him from the No. 5 spot in the Phillies' lineup, something he had stubbornly refused to do even though Burrell is batting .164 (18-for-110) since April 25.

Aaron Rowand, who entered the game batting 101 points higher than Burrell's .223, was moved into the fifth spot behind Ryan Howard. Asked if Rowand is better lineup protection for Howard, Manuel said, "We're going to find out. He's got a higher average, a good on-base percentage and a little bit better slugging percentage at this time."

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Burrell's bat carries Phils to sweep

Jun/08/07 10:39 AM | Permalink

NEW YORK -- For the Phillies, there was final redemption in a stadium where the home team, the crowd of 43,398 and an umpiring crew of four had seemed to conspire against them in the span of three swings of three bats in the bottom of the sixth inning on Thursday night.

The middle homer of a back-to-back-to-back attack by the Mets with two out in the bottom of the sixth gave New York a one-run lead. The second, a shot to left-center by David Wright, was disputed enough by the Phillies that it got manager Charlie Manuel ejected.

But the Phillies got one measure of revenge in the top of the ninth when Pat Burrell, who has always hit well in Shea Stadium, slugged a leadoff home run off Mets closer Billy Wagner to tie the game. Redemption came in a three-run 10th that Burrell iced with a run-scoring double down the left-field line that gave the Phillies a 6-3 win.

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Fast becoming 'Pat the Sat'

May/29/07 10:28 AM | Permalink

PHILADELPHIA -- Pat Burrell was hitting the ball with authority on the Phillies' last homestand, homering five times in 10 games and giving the club the kind of production it craved out of the No. 5 position in the lineup.

So what happened? Going into last night's homestand opener against the Diamondbacks, "Pat the Bat" didn't have a hit in his last six games (including five starts). During that time, he went 0-for-17, seeing his average dip to a season- low .225 (dropping his May mark to an abysmal .157).

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Burrell's Suite Top Item in Auction

May/22/07 09:01 AM | Permalink

The Phillies raised a record $720,056 during Monday’s Phillies Phestival for ALS. The total was $48,000 more than last year’s total.

Since 1984, the Phillies have raised more than $9.4 million to fight ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. During Monday’s event, fans were able to meet and take photos with members of the Phillies, get autographs and participate in auctions.

The top two items during the live auction were the use of Pat Burrell’s suite, which sold for $5,400, and a Ryan Howard game-used jersey from last year, which sold for $4,100. The top item in the silent auction was two chairs used in the Veterans Stadium Executive Dining Room, which sold for $3,500.

The money raised during Monday's Phillies Phestival will be used by the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the ALS Association.

(philadelphia.comcastsportsnet.com)

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Phillies’ Burrell has Hill’s number

May/15/07 04:03 PM | Permalink

PHILADELPHIA — Michael Barrett seemed to sense the imminent danger.

The Cubs’ catcher had just watched pitcher Rich Hill fall behind Phillies batter Aaron Rowand 2-0 to start the fourth inning.

So Barrett paid a visit.

“I just didn’t like the feeling of those 2 pitches,” Barrett said. “I just didn’t like the way those balls came out. I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page and we were together.”

Barrett proved prescient as Hill walked Rowand and hit Chase Utley on an 0-2 pitch before giving up a 3-run homer to sleeping giant Pat Burrell.

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Burrell part of solution

May/15/07 04:02 PM | Permalink

One night after the veteran general manager blamed the Phillies' poor start primarily on the middle of the batting order, one of the culprits responded.
With a rare display of power.

Leftfielder Pat Burrell, the poster child for the club's struggles, slammed a pair of homers and knocked in five runs last night, steering the Phils to a 7-2 win over the Chicago Clubs at Citizens Bank Park.

Cole Hamels (5-1) pitched seven strong innings to notch the win. Lefthander Rich Hill (4-2), who took a third-in-the-league 1.73 ERA into the game, absorbed the loss.

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Burrell remains enigma

May/14/07 11:31 AM | Permalink

There are certain undeniable truths in this world and for the Phillies that can be summed up with this: Pat Burrell is what he is.

At some point it will be necessary to move on from discussing the Phillies left fielder because nothing will change -- what you see is what you get.

Burrell has been a lightning rod for most of his tenure in Philadelphia. He has been seen as the symbol of what is wrong with this organization. It's been said he doesn't hit in the clutch, he doesn't give a total effort (not true, according to teammates), he plays poor defense (although he's better now that he's healthy), he strikes out too much and he doesn't swing enough.

He's been the focus of fans, managers and potential managers alike. He's been singled out by Mike Schmidt for not being the best player he can possibly be.

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Burrell bouncing back offensively, defensively

May/01/07 01:36 PM | Permalink

One aspect of a healthy Pat Burrell that is lost on most people has been his ability to play defense.

The left fielder has struggled with injuries, including a surgically repaired right foot that hampered his running ability, for two seasons.

This bothered him not only at the plate and on base paths but in the outfield.

Last year, manager Charlie Manuel went to Chris Roberson as a defensive replacement for Burrell, a role assumed by Michael Bourn this year to mixed success. While still not blessed with blazing speed, Burrell is slowly making Manuel's late-game decisions tougher.

"To me, it's becoming a tough position when to take him out," Manuel said. "I don't want him to be short on at-bats because he is a run producer."

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Phils need to keep Burrell in games

Apr/23/07 11:07 AM | Permalink

In 2006, Pat Burrell labored through the season, still recovering from offseason surgery to remove chips from the top of his foot.

The left fielder simply didn't run well.

The Phillies responded by using Chris Roberson late in games to cover ground in the outfield. Burrell's bat in the last two innings was deemed less important than Roberson's defense. Even in Citizens Bank Park, not to be confused with Shea Stadium, RFK Stadium or Turner Field, late defense was the call.

This year, that role has been handed to Michael Bourn, whose defensive skills have been put on display to great success.

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If Howard walks, Burrell has his back

Apr/15/07 11:31 AM | Permalink

The Astros took the bat out of Ryan Howard's hands Saturday. The Phillies scored eight runs, anyway.

Howard drew four walks Saturday, extending his league lead to 16 walks. Houston manager Phil Garner ordered Howard walked intentionally three times.

Pat Burrell batted three times after a walk to Howard Saturday and went 1-for-3 with an RBI single with two outs in the sixth inning that scored Chase Utley and put the Phillies up 7-5.

"If that's what they want to do, that's fine," Howard said. "I have faith in Pat. He's going to shock a lot of people this year."

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Notes: Burrell continues April success

Apr/11/07 07:43 PM | Permalink

NEW YORK -- The sixth-inning situation Monday supplied a textbook reason not to pitch to Ryan Howard.

There were two outs, first base was open and right-handed reliever Ambiorix Burgos could've dealt with the right-handed Pat Burrell, a more favorable matchup, instead of the lefty-swinging Howard.

So Mets manager Willie Randolph challenged the reigning National League Most Valuable Player, and paid for it when Howard clubbed a three-run home run that gave Philadelphia the lead. Among the reasons for his decision, Randolph offered this nugget:

"Pat Burrell is a Mets killer," he said.

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Phillies notch first win as Burrell powers up

Apr/07/07 12:52 PM | Permalink

MIAMI GARDENS -- So, you want to walk Ryan Howard intentionally?

Makes sense. After seeing him become one of baseball's most dangerous sluggers last season, no manager in his right mind wants to pitch to the National League MVP in a close game.

Pat Burrell is out to prove that isn't such a sound strategy.

With the Phillies leading by three runs in the seventh inning Friday night -- and still seeking their first victory -- Florida Marlins rookie manager Fredi Gonzalez ordered right-hander Ricky Nolasco to walk Howard and pitch to Burrell.

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Boobirds out for Burrell?

Apr/02/07 08:34 AM | Permalink

PHILADELPHIA - It'a Opening Day for the Phillies, and with that come several tests. One will be more telling than the rest.
Ryan Howard will be tested to see if he can reprise his MVP season. That's not the key test.

Pat Burrell will be on the clock as a heavy-contract, No. 5 hitter. Not it. Brett Myers is at the position where he either has to contend for a Cy Young Award or admit that he is just another above-average pitcher. But it's not the biggest trial.

The greatest pressure will not be on Charlie Manuel to earn a new contract, on Shane Victorino to prove he is every-day ready, on Tom Gordon to pretend he is not nearing 40, on Jon Lieber to stay in shape, on Carlos Ruiz to nicely represent the farm system or even on Jimmy Rollins, who has had more to say than a professional wrestler's cornerman.

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Can Pat Burrell Protect Ryan Howard?

Mar/28/07 10:41 PM | Permalink

Fantasy geeks (and we use that term affectionately) won't be the only ones monitoring Pat Burrell's production carefully come April. Burrell is effectively on the Phillies' hot seat following a disappointing 2006, in which he battled nagging foot problems.

With Bobby Abreu long gone, the Phils are still trying to fill the void and protect one of the game's premier power hitters. Pat Burrell will bat behind Ryan Howard in the lineup to start the season, but Philadelphia may have to make a move if the left fielder gets off to another slow start.

Burrell has never lacked upside, and if you think a healthy 2007 will translate into 30-plus home runs, make sure he's part of your 2007 Bleacher Report Home Run Derby.

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Burrell makes adjustments at plate

Mar/28/07 07:36 AM | Permalink

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Even after pulling a home run on an awkward, lunging swing and driving in the go-ahead run with a flare to left field Tuesday night, Pat Burrell is batting only .204 this spring.But he hasn't lost his grip on the No. 5 spot in the Phillies' lineup.

Before the Phillies' 6-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Bright House Networks Field, manager Charlie Manuel said Burrell most likely will bat fifth -- behind Ryan Howard -- in the season opener Monday against Atlanta.

"It's not like if something happens and he goes bad that I wouldn't consider moving him, but right now, he's my guy," Manuel said. "I compare him to the other guys in our lineup. He's hit there before for me the last two years."

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Burrell eager to produce again

Mar/26/07 09:13 AM | Permalink

Just because Pat Burrell plays left field for the Phillies doesn't mean he's out in left field.

He hears the talk and would be lying if he said he wasn't sensitive to it.

On the other hand, he knows how to deal with it by now. More importantly, he believes he is in for a much better season than the last, in which his 29 home runs and 95 RBIs were considered by many observers to be failing numbers due to his .222 average with runners in scoring position.

"That's the one thing that I take pride in that I didn't do well last season," Burrell said before Saturday's spring-training game against the Reds in Sarasota. "Yesterday, I had an at-bat with Chase (Utley) on second base and two outs (and drove him home). Those are things you want to do."

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Burrell feasts on Seminoles

Mar/03/07 10:08 AM | Permalink

Forgetting his roots, Phillies outfielder Pat Burrell didn’t realize the coach of an old college rival was having a little fun by bluffing a first inning intentional walk with first base occupied.

"I didn’t know what was going on," Burrell said after playing three innings of the Phillies’ exhibition opener Wednesday night, a 12-4 thumping of college power Florida State.    FSU coach Mike Martin simply was reliving memories from the mid-1990s when Burrell was an All-American third baseman at Miami who feasted on ’Noles pitching.  

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Schmidt Wants to Help Burrell

Feb/28/07 02:44 AM | Permalink

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) - February 26, 2007 - Mike Schmidt says he can relate to Pat Burrell's struggles, though the Hall of Fame third baseman and the enigmatic left fielder don't have a close relationship.

"To me, Pat is the guy I identify with on the team," said Schmidt, who arrived at Phillies camp on Monday to serve a 10-day stint as a special instructor. "I don't know that Pat really feels that from me. We're not that close. I've reached out. Maybe he doesn't want to accept it.

"I root for him a lot. I see myself in him so much for a lot of reasons - the approach to hitting, having to deal with strikeouts, the adrenalin factor and how it affects your ability to hit, wanting to do so bad in front of the Philly fans."

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Schmidt tries to defuse his critical remarks of Phillies' Burrell

Feb/27/07 09:39 AM | Permalink

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Last month, Mike Schmidt made headlines when he candidly talked about Pat Burrell. Monday, the Hall of Fame third baseman sought to clarify, and, as a result, even more questions - and attention - were drawn to Burrell, who's emerged as one of the most popular topics in Phillies camp.

Can Schmidt help Burrell?

Does he want to help him?

Is there hope for the leftfielder?

Schmidt started this conversation in January when he told the Dayton Daily News that Burrell and the Reds' Adam Dunn "tick me off" because they strike out too much. "What they are doing now is not great, it is mediocrity," he said. Those words quickly found Burrell, and Burrell seemed more than just annoyed, most likely because Schmidt has criticized Burrell's approach to hitting in the past.

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Notes: Burrell recalls college days - Former Miami star, Phils face Florida State on Wednesday

Feb/26/07 11:03 PM | Permalink

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Most players see the start of exhibition games as the next step toward the regular season, with fewer workouts and taking the field against players wearing different uniforms.

Pat Burrell has an added incentive for the Phillies' first game, against Florida State University on Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. ET at Bright House Networks Field. The left fielder, who starred at the University of Miami for three seasons, wants blood against his former rival school.

Actually, he doesn't, but he's laughed at the thought. Instead, Burrell remembered getting a similar thrill while in college.

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So much riding on Burrell's bat

Feb/25/07 05:57 PM | Permalink

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- At least twice in the offseason, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel phoned Pat Burrell, just to say hello and catch up on life.

Rarely did they discuss baseball.

If anything, Manuel didn't want the Phillies' most reviled player to think about the game, and the relentless booing of the Citizens Bank Park faithful that still was ringing in his ears from last season.

It didn't matter that Burrell had blasted 29 home runs and racked up 95 RBIs, production equaled or exceeded by just 32 players. Because of his .222 batting average with runners in scoring position, his major league-leading 63 called third strikes, a gimpy right foot that hobbled him in the outfield and on the bases, his often-surly attitude and a $9.5 million salary, he had more critics than the White House.

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Bill Conlin | Can't blame Burrell for awful Aprils

Feb/21/07 07:03 AM | Permalink

IT IS ALMOST an article of faith that the latter-day Phillies crash and burn in April. It is not only their cruelest month,
it is the month when they are

autopsied and interred under the avalanche of the Eagles draft, minicamps and other

NFL minutiae.

Each spring training we are peppered by conflicted messages. The left channel says, "The exhibitions mean nothing; we're just getting in our work and waiting for the bell to ring." The right channel blares, "We've got to hit the ground running. A fast start is crucial."

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Burrell Unfazed By Off-Season Criticism

Feb/16/07 08:18 AM | Permalink

Pat Burrell wasn't insulated from the criticism that he faced during the off-season. No, actually he heard it all and admits to being disappointed, but vows that it won't tarnish his season.

First, there was Dallas Green suggesting that Pat Burrell was ruining his career by having too many women hanging on his arm. Lately, it's been Mike Schmidt talking about how often Burrell strikes out. Add to that all of the trade rumors and the fact that the Phillies openly courted Alfonso Soriano this off-season and things weren't very positive for Burrell.

"It's disappointing to hear things like that," Burrell told reporters in Clearwater on Thursday. He stressed though that he didn't believe his lifestyle played any role in his supposed down numbers in 2007. Numbers which Burrell says nobody would be looking at had he not been benched as often as he was. "If I had those 100 at bats," said Burrell, "we wouldn't even be talking."

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Myths about Burrell exposed

Feb/16/07 08:16 AM | Permalink

Pat Burrell is not the devil.

Strikeouts are not evil.

The concept of lineup protection is a myth.

There. Whew. That feels better . . .

Burrell spoke to the media Wednesday, for the first time since the 2006 season ended, after he reported to spring training early and settled in as the Phillies' fifth hitter. Burrell did not have a good year last season, as you may have heard if you listened to . . . well, everybody.

Burrell has been listening, by the way. Speaking to reporters in Florida Wednesday, Burrell acknowledged the public perception of him is that he's "the worst guy in the league."

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Time for Phillies' Pat Burrell to answer his critics

Feb/14/07 09:01 AM | Permalink

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Had it with the cold and snow? Take heart. It's not perfect here, either.

"Bundle up," the television weatherman said. "It'll be dipping into the 40s overnight."

That, uh, foreboding forecast didn't stop another group of Phillies from checking into Camp Clearwater on Tuesday.

Even Pat Burrell strolled through the clubhouse on his way to separate afternoon meetings with general manager Pat Gillick and manager Charlie Manuel.

Punxsutawney Pat has kept a low profile this winter. He declined to speak with reporters on Tuesday but promised to come out of hibernation and share a few of his thoughts with the public on Wednesday.

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More suggestions for Burrell - His problems might be in his sight and not his swing

Jan/29/07 09:18 AM | Permalink

A COUPLE OF GUYS were sitting around not too long ago, unwinding at the end of the day, talking baseball, warming themselves against the winter chill with thoughts of spring training and the summer season.

They discussed the Phillies. Inevitably, probably, Pat Burrell's name came up. After all, the slugging leftfielder has become a vexing topic in recent seasons. At times he has shown why the Phils made him the first overall pick out of the University of Miami in the 1998 draft, why they gave him a 6-year contract worth $50 million in 2003, before he was even eligible for arbitration.

And sometimes he hasn't.

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Pat not essential to Phils' success

Jan/26/07 08:13 AM | Permalink

PHILADELPHIA — Pat Burrell has become the Donovan McNabb of the Phillies, the player on whom the most unreasonable of Philly fans pin every unmet expectation, every disappointing defeat.

Yes, he's more deserving of the boos and public frustration than McNabb is — Burrell did hit .217 with runners in scoring position last season, after all. Beyond that, Burrell has somehow become the cause of all that ails the Phillies.

The 131 strikeouts last season, the way he limped around left field with his injured ankle, his back leg breaking down and turning his swing into an ugly uppercut — he's the easiest target on the team.

They couldn't trade him? Why couldn't they trade him?

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Gillick sounds optimistic about Burrell

Jan/17/07 07:19 AM | Permalink

Having failed to trade leftfielder Pat Burrell, with his chronically injured right foot and his $27 million price tag the next two seasons, the Phillies are painting the best face they can on his return.

"He really didn't have a bad year last year," general manager Pat Gillick said. "If you look at his home runs and RBI he had a pretty good year. I know he likes playing here in Philadelphia. I know he likes living here during the regular season. Consequently, I think he has a very positive outlook on this year and I think he's going to put up some pretty big numbers this year."

Burrell hit .258 with 29 homers and 95 RBI in 2006, the third season in the last four in which he hit below .260 with fewer than 30 homers and 100 RBI. Last season he was unable to play every day because of the foot issue, which has plagued him for the past three seasons. The injury also made routine the replacement of Burrell on the bases or in the outfield late in games.

Gillick stressed that Burrell could again be the player that he was in 2002 and 2004. Hitting coach Milt Thompson and manager Charlie Manuel plan to spend extra time with Burrell this spring working on his stiff stance in the batter's box and his flawed mental approach.
"I think he's going to put up some pretty big numbers this year," Gillick said. Hopefully.

(timesleader.com)

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Phils hope Burrell can return to form - With no deal imminent, left fielder may be back in Philly in '07

Dec/08/06 07:01 AM | Permalink

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Blame Alfonso Soriano.

Because the prized free-agent slugger declined Philadelphia's offer to protect Ryan Howard, the Phillies seem to be suggesting more and more that Pat Burrell will be their left fielder in 2007.

"If we would have signed Soriano, we probably would have had to made some other moves that would've allowed us to do what we wanted to do," general manager Pat Gillick said on Day 1 of the Winter Meetings. "Soriano was probably the most complete player out there."

The main other move would've been finding a new home for Burrell, whose 29 homers and 95 RBIs were still considered a disappointment by some in the organization, partly because he hit .222 with runners in scoring position, and partly because he became too susceptible to inside fastballs.

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Manuel, Green differ on Burrell

Dec/07/06 10:24 AM | Permalink

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Phillies executive Dallas Green and manager Charlie Manuel are at odds again.

Well, sort of. While the baseball lifers did clear the air since Manuel chewed out Green on the field before a game last August for criticizing the Phillies on the radio station 610-WIP, they now have different opinions on outfielder Pat Burrell's work habits.

Two days after Green added some early controversy to the Winter Meetings by repeatedly saying Burrell needs to focus more on baseball and less on his nightlife, Manuel defended his often-criticized slugger.

“I think in baseball there is a maturity stage as a player,” Manuel said Wednesday. “A lot of times taking care of yourself is part of it, but at the same time I look at Pat [and] he's one of the first guys at the ballpark and he definitely stays late sometimes. He spends his time at the ballpark. I see him. I throw to him every day in the cage early, and he definitely puts his time in.”

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Phillies not forsaking Burrell

Dec/05/06 02:42 PM | Permalink

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The most stunning development from the Phillies' otherwise quiet opening day of the winter meetings was the revelation that Dallas Green and Pat Burrell, 42 years apart in age, often hang out together in spring training.

No joke.

Green, the Newport native and silver-haired Phillies senior advisor, admitted Monday that he shares a watering hole in Clearwater, Fla., with Burrell, the left fielder with the cover-boy looks and star potential.

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Dallas Green calls out Burrell

Dec/05/06 09:17 AM | Permalink

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Dallas Green is out of the penalty box and mixing it up in the corners again.

His target this time isn't Charlie Manuel. It's Pat Burrell.

On Day 1 of the winter meetings, Big D, still a prominent voice in the Phillies' organization 26 years after leading the franchise to its only World Series title, challenged the beleaguered leftfielder to put aside his bon-vivant lifestyle and make baseball the priority in his busy schedule.

"It's time for Pat to look in the mirror," Green, an adviser to general manager Pat Gillick, said in the lobby of Disney's Swan and Dolphin Resort Monday. "His career is really at a crossroads.

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Burrell on the Block as Meetings Begin

Dec/05/06 09:00 AM | Permalink

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Pat Gillick, you have a $27 million slugger that nobody seems to want. What are you going to do next?

I'm going to Disney World!

Gillick will spend the upcoming week at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, joined by hundreds of general managers, agents, players and media. All of the general managers will arrive with specific agendas and Gillick's is simple: find a taker for Pat Burrell.

Gillick's first year as general manager was defined by the Jim Thome trade. His second campaign will be judged on two things: how the Bobby Abreu deal works out and whether or not he can find a team willing to take on Burrell's massive contract.

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Phils strike out with big free agents, but Burrell may not be so bad

Dec/01/06 07:01 AM | Permalink

PHILADELPHIA -- It appears the Phillies are going to stand pat, even though most of their fans can't stand Pat.  The Phils went into baseball's free agency determined to get a right-handed power hitter to protect franchise player Ryan Howard, and there were some fantasy favorites out there when the market opened almost three weeks ago.

Not anymore. All of big names Phillies fans coveted -- Alfonso Soriano, Gary Sheffield, Moises Alou, Carlos Lee and Gary Matthews Jr. -- either signed with or were traded to other teams.

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Notes: Burrell's return becoming likely - Phils' free agent options shrinking with Soriano, Alou gone

Nov/20/06 11:30 PM | Permalink

PHILADELPHIA -- With Alfonso Soriano, Moises Alou and Gary Sheffield no longer options for the Phillies, general manager Pat Gillick may turn to a familiar face -- current left fielder Pat Burrell.

As each possibility dries up, it becomes more likely that Burrell will enter the season as the club's starter, amid many reports that the Phillies are trying to find him a new home. Burrell has a complete no-trade clause but has been linked to the Angels, who also missed out on Soriano, and Giants, who lost Alou.

"In my mind, he's playing left field," Gillick said. "He thinks he's going to be back and is getting himself ready to play. His [right] foot still wasn't back to 100 percent."

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Burrell interested in playing with Giants

Nov/03/06 07:03 AM | Permalink

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Pat Burrell would waive his no-trade clause and pick up a first baseman's mitt to play for the Giants, his agent said Thursday.

The Phillies are eager to unload a hefty portion of the $27 million Burrell is owed over the next two seasons and his no-trade clause was an impediment to a deal; the slugger had said he would only waive it to go to the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox.

But agent Greg Genske said Burrell, 30, would be enticed by a deal that brings him to San Francisco. Burrell graduated from Bellarmine College Prep.

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Phillies aren’t denying desire to move Burrell

Nov/02/06 08:22 AM | Permalink

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies could have an opening in their outfield next season, and there are a lot of rumors flying they are going to make a play for Alfonso Soriano, who arguably is the best free agent on the market this winter.

So, is the conjecture real, or is it a smokescreen? It depends whom you ask, and it depends on what exactly the Phillies can do with left fielder Pat Burrell and decide to do in center field.

The Phillies haven’t been shy about their desire to find a place to dump Burrell and part of the $27 million he will make over the next two seasons. While the Phils sloughed away a nice chunk of their 2007 payroll when they traded Bobby Abreu to the Yankees, they will need to get rid of some Burrell bling if they want to go after someone of Soriano’s stature and still have some funds available to fill their other needs. Tops on that list is the need for at least two veteran relievers to clean up a bullpen that had problems getting the ball to closer Tom Gordon.

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Burrell likely to remain with Phillies

Oct/24/06 09:28 AM | Permalink

PHILADELPHIA -- In 2006, Pat Burrell had a gimpy right foot, a dearth of clutch hits and a hefty contract that will become only more bloated in the next two seasons.

Yet, the odds are good that he'll still be playing for the Phillies in 2007.

General manager Pat Gillick said Monday there is a "very strong possibility" Burrell will remain the Phillies left fielder next season despite his $13 million salary and .222 average with runners in scoring position. Gillick also downplayed the suggestion Burrell may require another medical procedure to heal his foot.

"He had a procedure done last year, and in talking to our trainers, I don't think it's an issue at the moment," Gillick said. "Even though offensively he didn't produce the way he would like or we would like, you don't find 29 home runs or 95 RBIs in the street."

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Gillick hints he wants to move Burrell

Oct/17/06 08:48 AM | Permalink

With free agency looming in 2 weeks the Phillies have begun to compile their wish list. It appears to be headed by possible free agents Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez, big righthanded bats who could replace Pat Burrell in the order and hit behind lefty MVP candidate Ryan Howard.

General manager Pat Gillick indicated that the Phillies would look to move Burrell, perhaps eating some of his remaining $27 million over the next 2 years, as long as he would waive his no-trade clause.

"We're going to have to continue to look for a little more offense. We know we're probably... Pat has had a really difficult time protecting Howard," Gillick said.

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Moving Burrell should top to-do list - Phillies GM Pat Gillick could also shop for a third baseman.

Oct/05/06 10:16 AM | Permalink

So, what does general manager Pat Gillick have to do this offseason? Here are five questions the Phillies must answer before spring training begins.

1. Will Pat Burrell be back in left field? The Phillies can't construct their 2007 lineup without knowing whether Burrell will continue patrolling left field.

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Burrell says he wants to stay with Phillies

Oct/02/06 08:15 AM | Permalink

MIAMI - For Pat Burrell, this may have been more than the end of the baseball season. It may have been the end of his time with the Phillies.

The arrival of the off-season means the Phils likely will step up their efforts to trade the 29-year-old outfielder, who was frequently benched and often booed during his seventh season with the club.

"I have no idea what's going to happen, and it would be stupid for me to speculate," Burrell said before yesterday's season finale against Florida. "I want to be back, and I plan on being back. I don't know why I wouldn't be."

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No start for struggling Burrell

Sep/28/06 08:10 AM | Permalink

As Pat Burrell's average and power numbers have steadily declined over the past month, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has sat him on occasion.

Those breaks have been brief as Manuel continues to return the highest paid player to the lineup time and time again.

The second-year manager has tried everything to correct Burrell's aversion to inside fastballs, outside junk and just an overall failure on the slugger's part to contribute on a consistent basis.

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Burrell the burden

Sep/20/06 08:29 AM | Permalink

CHICAGO CUBS pitcher Wade Miller had the scouting report for Pat Burrell down perfect.

With two out, the bases loaded and a 3-2 count on Burrell, there's only one pitch you have to throw to get out of the jam - a strike, preferably one right down the middle of the pipe.

That's the pitch Burrell can't see, the one he's guaranteed to watch blow by him with his bat resting on his shoulder.

If there is a less clutch athlete in Philadelphia than Burrell right now, I'm at a loss to come up with him.

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Burrell's slam helps Phils survive Astros

Sep/16/06 12:43 PM | Permalink

Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Pat Burrell's fifth-career grand slam helped the Philadelphia Phillies hold off the Houston Astros, 4-3, in the opener of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park.

Ryan Howard went 1-for-3 and scored once for the Phillies, who have won three of four. Brett Myers (11-6) allowed three runs on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts in seven innings, while Tom Gordon notched his 11th save after overcoming two errors in a scoreless ninth.

Philadelphia is two games behind San Diego for the National League wild card lead, while the Astros are 4 1/2 games off the pace. The Padres are currently battling the Dodgers for the top spot in the NL West.

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Burrell may be back on bench

Sep/15/06 09:35 AM | Permalink

ATLANTA — Part-time Pat is out on parole.

Benched during the Phillies' doubleheader sweep on Wednesday so he could clear his head, slumping left fielder Pat Burrell returned to the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale, a 4-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

But there's no guarantee Burrell won't be sitting again tonight in Houston with Roger Clemens pitching for the Astros.

“We'll see,” manager Charlie Manuel said before watching Burrell stop a 1-for-20 skid on Thursday by going 2-for-4 with two singles.

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PAT THE BATTERED

Sep/12/06 10:07 AM | Permalink

MIAMI - Pat Burrell could change his stance, but, hey, his .250 batting average doesn't seem to bother him that much.

Burrell could see a sports psychologist, but, hey, he says he can handle a third disappointing season in his last four.

Burrell also could ask for a trade.

Hey, there's a thought.

Right now, as his profile shrinks daily, Burrell agreeing to a trade seems more likely to happen than changing his swing or visiting a sports psychologist.

He was asked Sunday whether his diminished role would lead him to waive his no-trade clause and have the Phillies seek to move him and the remaining 2 years and $27 million on his contract. The Phillies have shopped him since the end of last season, but no teams he would go to bit for the whole contract. While maintaining he would prefer to stay in Philadelphia, Burrell, 29, has never sounded so agreeable to a possible deal.

"I'm not even thinking about that right now," he said. "We're in the middle of a wild-card race.

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Burrell can’t shake slump

Sep/09/06 11:49 PM | Permalink

MIAMI — Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell, a frequent target of boos at Citizens Bank Park, isn’t living up to manager Charlie Manuel’s expectations, either. “When you’re looking at Pat, you’re looking at a .270-.285 hitter with 30 to 40 bombs,” Manuel said Friday before the Phillies’ 3-2 win over the Florida Marlins.

With the regular season down to 21 games, Burrell will have trouble getting there due to a .240 average and two homers since Aug 1. For the season, the slugger was batting .254 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs after going 1-for-4 with a double and a strikeout on Friday. “Mentally, he’s just in a funk,” Manuel said. Manuel has responded. Since July 25, Burrell has started only 33 times in 43 games. And of late, Manuel occasionally has opted for new protection behind cleanup hitter Ryan Howard. On Friday, Burrell hit sixth for the third time this season — all since Aug. 29 — with Jeff Conine plugged in the No. 5 hole. “I think Pat definitely has more power, but I think Conine right now is a better option of making solid contact,” Manuel said.

(phillyburbs.com)

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Struggling Burrell moves down in batting order

Sep/09/06 09:37 AM | Permalink

MIAMI -- Pat Burrell was back in the lineup Friday night. Whether his long-lost home-run pop will ever return remains to be seen -- although there won’t be as many chances to see it over the season’s final three weeks. Burrell has started three of six games this week. He has just two home runs and is hitting .230 since July 30 and has fewer RBIs with men in scoring position (45 in 131 ABs) than Jimmy Rollins (49 in 101 ABs) this season.

At least Burrell no longer has the onus of protecting Ryan Howard lurking. Charlie Manuel has slid Burrell into the No. 6 hole and bumped Jeff Conine into the No. 5 spot behind Howard lately.

"He makes consistent contact," Manuel said of Conine. "As far as Pat goes, I want him to stay up, keep swinging and try as hard as he possibly can."

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Pat Burrell Update

Aug/29/06 05:47 PM | Permalink

Burrell invoked his no-trade clause when the Phillies had a deal to send him to Baltimore for Rodrigo Lopez,

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Pressure’s on Burrell to step up

Aug/25/06 08:06 AM | Permalink