Pat Burrell likes playing the field

The designated hitter role didn't fit Pat Burrell in the one-plus season he was with the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Phillies' former leftfielder suggested it was simply difficult for him to stay in the game between at-bats.

"For me, it has something to do with being in the flow of the game, playing in the field, being active in the game," Burrell said late Saturday, after his run-scoring double off the glove of Raul Ibanez helped the Giants to a 4-3 win in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series. "I'm not saying that's right or wrong. I just think for me that was an important part of it."

Early in the season, the Rays released Burrell and the Giants signed him to a minor-league contract in May. It was one of several in-season moves that worked well for the Giants. Burrell hit 18 homers and had 51 RBIs for them in 96 games.

Shane Victorino recalled how Burrell resisted being the DH during the 2008 World Series.

"Pat hates to DH," Victorino said Sunday. "I know that for a fact. I remember the World Series when we played Tampa, and Charlie [Manuel] thought about DH-ing him. He said, 'No, Charlie, I'm going to play defense.' "



(philly.com)