A Late, But Open and Personal Thank You Letter To Pat Burrell

Dear Pat Burrell,

You may not know me, but I certainly know you. This maybe a little late but, I was one of your biggest fans in Philadelphia through thick and thin, your cold spells and blazing torrential hot streaks. I will miss seeing that cannon for an arm gun down a runner trying to score from first.

I could care less what the Philadelphia Sports press said about you. I will not and still refuse to boo you. Even that year you hit only .209, but many forgot that you also hit 21 home runs and drove in 64 RBI as well as knocked 109 hits. Your 251 home runs will rank you third all-time for the Phillies.

I will miss watching you warm up from section 102, 14 Sundays a year. That sweet swing is one that I could only dream of having, but sadly God gave me a pitchers arm instead with an assortment of deadly breaking pitches. Even though I am a pitcher, I modeled my swing after yours, Ryan Howard's and David Wright's. Does my swing work? It's a work in progress.

When Billy Wagner faced off against you in 2007 and 2008, he used to say, "Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Not Him!" But after stepping into the box, you would reply, "Sorry Billy, mom and dad are busy. What can I do for you?"

I'm sure somewhere, where ever Billy Wagner is, he is saying: "Thank you Jesus, Mary and Joesph for not having me face Pat Burrell another possible 15 times in 2009!".

I'm sure that somewhere, Jonathan Papelbon is saying: "Why couldn't I have been traded to the Pirates, rather than face Pat the Bat!".

Your swing was classified as an Aluminum Bat swing. You were once classified as a "free swinger", but upon closer review it seems that you waited for your pitch to drive and crush.

In my book of the 100 greatest Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Athletes you would rank in the top 100, possibly the top 80.

I will miss that clutch swing, hitting walk-offs off of Billy Wagner, Brian Wilson of the San Francisco Giants, and the Tampa Bay relievers during Game Five of the World Series. You knew how and when to be clutch, just when Jamie Moyer decides to blow smoke by batters or decide to get crafty instead.

Since Shea Stadium knew you were not coming back to the Phillies for 2009, it decided to blow it self up and save it the trouble of crowning you: "King of Shea Stadium."

Shea also decided to blow itself up after realizing that you had hit 41 home runs inside its confines against its home field faithful, more than current free agent slugger Barry Bonds and Atlanta Braves third baseman, Chipper Jones. Those same 41 home runs against the Mets, ranks you fourth all time, right after the great "Say Hey," Willie Mays.

My biggest qualm about you was: are you man or machine?

I would just like to thank you for handshake during photo day back in 2001, and of course the photo of you and me taken at photo day that day. Left field will never be the same without number five.

"The Bank" (Citizens Bank Ballpark) will never be the same without your private suite with your dog Elvis inside.

My fondest memory will, of course be you leading the World Series Parade down Broad Street, on a carriage led by Clydesdale horses with your wife and trusty dog, Elvis, at your side.

I wish you the best of luck in Tampa Bay this year. I hope you decide to retire as a Phillie when that time comes. Now go give C.C., Beckett and the rest of the AL East a headache.

Thanks.

Sincerely,

Brian McCollum