It's baseball season...MY sport. I spend my leisure time watching it (including the World Baseball Classic and MLB Network), reading about it and listening to it.
Being a Philadelphian, last season was the ultimate as the Phillies won the World Championship.
One of the players I really enjoyed watching was Pat Burrell. He showed class year in and year out. Worked hard to prove his worth and had a great relationship with the fans, his manager and his teammates. He never made excuses for his poor performances and never put himself on a pedestal when he played well. His leaving the Phillies was sad.
Last Friday I read a short blurb on ESPN's website. Pat had taken out ads in both The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Daily News to thank Phillies Fans for their support over his nine year stay with the team.
Even though he's no longer playing in Philly he realized how much he meant to the fans and they meant to him.
His leadership both on and off the field is to be admired.
Geez...I wish politicians cared as much for their constituants as Pat does for his fans.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hey Dan...how could you have enjoyed watching Burrell? All he did was stare down strikes and walk back to the dugout with the same who cares expression every time. Not only that, but he couldn't field for anything... going to DH in AL. Rays picked up our weakest link.
ReplyDeleteRich,
ReplyDeleteI understand your points, they're well taken. But...look at his stats.
As I mentioned last night, he still averaged 90 RBI every year while hitting behind Utley and Howard. I hope he does well in Tampa and that Ibanez keeps puttin' up the numbers he did in Seattle. After all...I am a Phillies Fan!
Wow! Having read this post gives me a greater appreciation for Pat. I as well am a Phillies fan, and have followed them since I was young. I personally feel that Pat showed significant improvements last year. I was personally disappointed to see him leave. In regards to Rich's comment, sometimes players are more than just statistics. Players represent the team and the charisma of the city. Point and case, paying for print advertisements in the city newspaper thanking fans! These players united and did something amazing last year. I feel like we need more players like Pat Burrell.
ReplyDeleteI am a huge Phillies fan to say the least! Having our boys win the world series just put the icing on the cake! With many professional sports players getting paid boat loads of money for what they do on the field gives some of them very big egos. Thier actions show on and off the field, however Pat Burrell was a respectable baseball player. I too read the article that Pat posted in the Inquier and I could not have had a bigger smile on my face, some may look at it and think it is bull but I think he genuinely is a good person and a good ball player! It is going to be sad to watch him play for another team.
ReplyDelete-Kate