Pat Burrell Earned His Keep

Last night's game for a Phillies fan like me seemed anti-climatic.

Sure, the Phillies took care of business, posting a 5-1 victory to win the 2008 NLCS, four games to one over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The win propelled the Phillies to their first World Series trip since 1993. In their 100-plus year history, the Phillies have won only one World Series championship, coming in 1980.

As he did in the NLDS against the Brewers, Jimmy Rollins led off with a home run on Wednesday to get the scoring going.  If there was any doubt of the outcome, the lead grew to 3-0, then 5-0, due in large part to Rafael Furcal's three errors in one inning.

Manny Ramirez got the crowd going with a solo home run, but, ultimately, it did more to boost his free agent salary potential than to win the game for the Dodgers.

In the visitors' locker room, the champagne flowed. As usual, Brett Myers was the main protagonist, shaking the champagne and dousing whomever he could find.

From all accounts, though, one player was standing to the side, taking it all in: Pat Burrell.

The player affectionately known as Pat the Bat thrilled in this championship as much as anyone.  But two things probably struck him: he is the longest tenured player on this Phillies team, and this magical, wonderful, and somewhat improbable streak for the Phils could well be his last.

Burrell signed a huge six-year deal a few years back, and, to fans, it did not always seem that he was earning his money, seeming to suffer long droughts in home run production. Not unusual for a power hitter.

Numbers bear something of a different story. Since 2004, he has gotten at least 80 RBI, 24 home runs, and nothing less than a .250 batting average.

He was nothing short of superb in the NLDS, helping to win one game against the Brewers. He hit pretty well in both series and made a few stellar plays in the outfield.

From what I figure, it is not that Pat doesn't think the Phillies can win it all. He will break out in celebration if that happens.

It's just that if they don't win the series, Wednesday night was the best a player can experience, especially for the left fielder who has been in a Phillies uniform since 2000. It is his first and only major-league team to date. And his first pennant.

I was not at the game, but I could see something in Pat's eyes as he talked to Marshall Harris of Comcast Sportsnet after the series-clinching game. He was soaking it all in, smiling, but had a far away look. One of a man who might not pass this way again, at least not with the Phillies.

There are more games to play, however, and Pat will continue to support his teammates. As wistful and thoughtful as he was Wednesday, I sensed pure joy when he greeted veteran Matt Stairs in the dugout after Stairs' monumental and massive, game-winning home run in the eighth inning of the Phils' exciting 7-5 win on Monday.

His big contract is finished, and he is a free agent. His 33 home runs and 86 RBI will fit nicely on some team—hopefully the Phillies. But in all probability, not.

Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard are due some hefty arbitration dollars, and there might not be enough left in the bank to pay Burrell. Geoff Jenkins, who signed a two-year free agent contract last offseason could be Burrell's replacement.

I could be wrong, and the last thing I want to do is put a wet blanket on this marvelous Phillies season. If it is Pat's last, well, thanks. It has been and continues to be a hell of a ride.