Pat Burrell

Many Phillies fans are mad, upset, sad, the list can continue on the somber emotions being felt over the release of Pat Burrell. The question that I ask is why? Pat Burrell was a 10 year tenured veteren in Philadelphia, no easy accomplishment by any means in the bussiness of sports now-a-days. Burrell also was a "Met killer" which will go over very well with Phillies fans. Not to be over looked is the fact he was a key component to the Phillies development of this core of guys, their playoff run, and championship. I can see why in a bussiness and a town of "what have you done for us lately" where that would buy you a lot of slack.

If you judge Burrell solely on numbers, a career .257 average, 251 career home runs, 485 slugging percentage, and 367 on base percentage, you have a solid ball player.

Pat Burrell was the 1st overall pick in the 1999 MLB Draft. In 2002 Burrell had his break-out year hitting .282 with 37 homeruns and 116 RBIs, Burrell would never touch those numbers again until 2005 where he hit .281 with 32 home runs and 117 RBIs. Burrell would never eclipse 100 RBI besides those 2 years in a Phillies uniform. 

It would be fair to say that Pat Burrell never had any "bad" seasons (as long as he was healthy). His worst statistical season was in 2000 where he hit .260 with 18 home runs and 79 RBIs in 111 games. Most Phillies fans would agree, when Burrell struggled, it was painful.

Let me conclude by saying that I am not happy that Pat Burrell is gone, I'm simply not saddened by it. Burrell put up averege numbers, for a player that should not be average. The first pick in the draft and a 6-year 50 million dollar contract quite frankly are unacceptable. The Phillies did not lose a star player by losing Pat Burrell, they lost a solid bat, a good arm in the field (although sub-par feilding skills), and an overall nice guy.