AS PAT BURRELL walked to the stage, Phillies fans of all ages showered him with a healthy mix of cheers and applause.

His reception at yesterday's Phillies Alumni Luncheon paralleled the support he enjoyed throughout a nine-year career in Philadelphia, where he became a fan favorite and a 2008 World Series champion, before finishing his career in 2011 after quick stints with the Tampa Bay Rays and San Francisco Giants.

Burrell, who was drafted out of Miami with the first overall pick in 1998, was selected as a Phillies Wall of Famer through fan voting on Phillies.com.

Burrell, now 38, hit .257 in 1,306 games with the Phillies, driving in 827 runs, 10th on the team's all-time list. The former leftfielder also hit 20 or more home runs in eight consecutive seasons in Philadelphia and finished with 251, putting him behind only Mike Schmidt, Ryan Howard and Del Ennis.

Commonly referred to by the Phillies faithful as "Pat the Bat," Burrell voiced his appreciation to the fans in attendance at Citizens Bank Park's Diamond Club for sticking with him through thick and thin.

"I can remember a game when, it was terrible, I was bad for a long time and it wasn't getting better," Burrell said. "I wasn't playing in the game and I pinch-hit probably in the 10th inning and got a double, and I remember standing on second base, and it was like a standing ovation, and I was like, 'I should do this more often.'

"The fans were behind me 100 percent. There were some ups and downs, but, in the end, it was such a great experience to play here for so long."

After chatting one-on-one with Scott Palmer, the Phillies' director of public affairs, for about 15 minutes, Burrell was joined by the first group of surprise guests, which featured John Kruk, who played for the Phillies from '89 to '94, and Larry Andersen, another former Phillie ('83 to '86, '93 and '94) and current radio commentator for the team.

While most of the conversations on the day revolved around inside jokes and playful jabs at Burrell, Andersen made time to acknowledge Burrell in a more serious light.

"He was oftentimes taken out for defensive purposes, and when he was taken out, I always saw him right on the front rail for the last two innings," Andersen said. "When the game was over and we won, he was the first one on the field and, to me, that spoke volumes about Pat Burrell."

Other surprise guests to join Burrell on stage included former Phillies outfielder Jason Michaels (2001-05), former second baseman Marlon Anderson ('98-'02), former outfielder Bobby Abreu ('98-'06), former manager Charlie Manuel ('05-'13) and current second baseman Chase Utley.

Utley, one of the last players remaining from the '08 World Series team (along with Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz), expressed his gratitude to Burrell for mentoring him after the Phillies drafted Utley out of UCLA in 2000.

"He took me under his wing right when I got here," said Utley, who debuted with the team in 2003. "He'd been here for a few years and he kind of just pulled me along, showed me the ropes, showed me how to pay clubhouse dues, showed me how to get a cab . . .

"It's something that I'll always be thankful for."


(philly.com)

As he rehabs an ankle injury and unwinds at the All-Star break, Chase Utley received just the levity he needed amid a rough season while vacationing with former Philadelphia Phillies teammate Pat Burrell.

Utley and Burrell headed out on a boat on Idaho's Lake Coeur d'Alene for some relaxation and fun over the break – and some amusement as well.

Burrell, who was one of the Phillies' most consistent offensive components during his nine-year tenure in Philadelphia, apparently doesn't have the same ability on the water as he did at the plate.

Thanks @patburrell5 for the good times this week. #tradition @kskatz @boovbaker @chasinggray

A video posted by @therealchaseutley on Jul 16, 2015 at 4:22pm PDT

(foxsports.com)

Fresh off the slip 'n slide circuit, former Phillies outfielder Pat Burrell will join the Phillies Wall of Fame this July.

Burrell emerged as the early favorite from a field of 12 deserving candidates, including Jim Fregosi and Rick Wise. He is best remembered for his double in the seventh inning of Game 5 of the 2008 World Series. The hit, which was a gust of wind away from a home run and his first hit of the series, started the tie-breaking rally that eventually won Philadelphia its first championship in 25 years.

The Phillies plucked Burrell from the University of Miami with the first overall pick of the 1998 MLB Draft. A first baseman, he was converted to play left field and joined the Phillies at the major league level in 2000 at the age of 23. Over a nine-year Phillies career, he played in over 1,300 games, receving MVP votes twice in 2002 and 2005 and hitting .257/.367/.485, with 251 home runs and 827 RBI. His eight straight season of at least 20 home runs helped put him fourth on the Phillies' all-time home run list behind Mike Schmidt, Ryan Howard, and Del Ennis.

Leaving the Phillies after the 2008 season, Burrell would go on to win a second World Series in 2010 with the Giants, for whom he now serves as a scout after 12 years in professional baseball. His Phillies immortality will begin July 31, during a 7:05 game against the Braves.


(philly.com)

His playing career has ended, but that doesn't mean slugger Pat Burrell can no longer accomplish impressive feats — even while holding a beverage.

While being filmed by former Philadelphia Phillies teammate Chase Utley on a beach somewhere Sunday afternoon, Burrell successfully slid down a Slip 'N Slide without spilling the protein shake he was holding in one hand.

Watch Pat the Bat execute a recreational baseball slide:

Super Bowl slip n' slide @patburrell5 #didntevenspillhisproteinshake

A video posted by @therealchaseutley on Feb 1, 2015 at 2:08pm PST

Classic. Textbook. Nobody got hurt — especially the drink. If there were a Super Bowl of Slip 'N Slides, Burrell would be a safe bet in the Beverage Division. Burrell and Utley were teammates on the Phillies from 2003-2008, winning the World Series in '08. Seven years later, Burrell's still got it athletically. Good job framing the scene by Utley. No need for more takes.

Burrell, 38, hasn't played since 2011, having moved on to the role of scout and special assistant with the San Francisco Giants. He's got two more World Series rings as an executive after batting .253/.361/.472 with 292 home runs over 12 major league seasons. Only seven stolen bases in 10 attempts in that span, though. Surprising, given his sliding acumen.


(cbs.local.com)

FORMER PHILLIES leftfielder Pat Burrell, who memorably led the parade down Broad Street to celebrate the ballclub's 2008 World Series championship, heads list of candidates for the team's 2015 Wall of Fame induction.

Fan voting is underway at phillies.com, and will continue through 5 p.m. Feb. 6.

The other 11 candidates are pitcher Larry Christenson, manager Jim Fregosi, reliever Gene Garber, outfielder Tony Gonzalez, closer Jim Konstanty, first baseman Fred Luderus, reliever Ron Reed, catcher/coach Mike Ryan, third baseman Pinky Whitney, catcher/manager Jimmy Wilson and pitcher Rick Wise.

Fans may vote for up to three names. Complete details of the voting process are available on the team website.

The 2015 Wall of Fame inductee will be presented by 2014 honoree Charlie Manuel at Citizens Bank Park on Friday, July 31, before the 7:05 p.m. game against the Atlanta Braves. Other Phillies Wall of Fame honorees are expected to participate.

Tickets for this and all individual games wll go on sale on Thursday, Feb. 19.


(philly.com)

The Giants were taking batting practice prior to their 2-0 victory over the Diamondbacks when a familiar face stepped up to the plate. Pat Burrell, who retired in 2011 after 12 seasons in the major leagues, was visiting his former teammates and decided to take a hack ... while wearing an outfit comprised entirely of street clothes -- khakis, a polo, Vans sneakers and a watch.

Despite the wishes of Giants manager Bruce Bochy, who can be seen waving his arms behind the cage, Burrell took his stance. The result was a familiar one for the two-time World Series champ, who pounded a home run on his only swing to the delight of the Giants broadcasting team.




(sports.yahoo.com)