Pat Burrell helps ‘lead’ the Phillies into the All-Star break

    Nine year veteran Pat Burrell hit his 23^rd home run against the NL West division leading Arizona Diamondbacks to help the Phillies edge past in a 6-3 win.  The Philadelphia Phillies held a half-game lead entering July 13^th’s ball game over both division rivals the New York Mets and the Florida Marlins.  Although his numbers show production; .275 batting average, 23 home runs, 57 RBI’s and 49 runs scored, Pat finished third in the All-Star voting making him just shy of being able to go to the mid-summer classic. 

"You know what? It's one of those things," said Burrell, "I'd like to go. But no message. It's over."  Philadelphia’s manager, Charlie Manuel, feels that he is a very worthy candidate.

"I think Pat has been tremendous," Manuel said. "At the same time, I think Pat can hit .300. How about that? If he did that, his numbers would be off the chart."

David Wright, the Mets third basemen, was the player who took Burrell’s 32^nd and final spot to have the honor of playing in the game.  The game will be held in New York City at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, July 15.  It is the first All-Star game at the park and will be the last due to the termination of the stadium at the season’s end.  The team is currently building a new stadium a few blocks away from where the old one stands. 

The only two players representing the Phillies will be Chase Utley and Brad Lidge.  Utley is having by far his most productive season on offence since he has become a professional in 2003.  He has 25 home runs and will be competing in the Home Run Derby on Monday night.  Utley has 69 RBI’s on the year and 68 runs scored which leads the team.

Quite possibly more disappointing than Burrell not making the mid-summer classic is Ryan Howard.  Howard is leading the NL in both home runs and RBI’s.  He has 28 home runs and 84 RBI’s and the player’s next are 26 and 72 respectively.  The last time that a player has not been in the All-Star game leading in those two categories was in 1962.

Aside from all the All-Star hype, two of the best starting pitchers in the National League squared off in Brandon Webb (13-4) and Cole Hamels (9-6).  They both pitched superbly in the outing; however, neither of the pitchers earned a decision as the game was tied when they both were substituted. 

The Phillies are currently fourth in the entire league only five and a half games behind the league leading Chicago Cubs who have a record of 57-38.  The teams that are in front of them in the standings all reside in the NL Central, the obvious powerhouse of the National League.  The team and fans believe that they could be atop that list if they are able to make a trade for a premiere starting pitcher. 

Only the second half of the season will tell the story.  We will have to wait and see how the rest shapes up for the Phillies.