Burrell was the best player in the nation while at the University of Miami putting up gaudy numbers at the U. In 162 total collegiate game (which is equivalent to the schedule of a whole major league season) Burrell bashed 61 home runs, batting .441 making him the consensus number one overall draft pick by the Phillies.
Burrell made his debut in 2000 and had a stellar rookie season batting .260 with 18 home runs. He followed that up with 27 and 37 home run seasons which resulted in Burrell signing a six year $50 million contract with Philadelphia.
Burrell wound up spending 9 seasons in red pinstripes that were filled with highs/lows and multiple odd sexual-type scandals. He was certainly known to of partied a fair amount and did not struggle one bit with spitting game, picking up some dimes. Burrell still managed to have a highly productive career with the Phillies making him a fan favorite and garnering the nick-name "Pat The Bat". Pun Intended.
Burrell ended his career with a World Series victory posting a .250 batting average in the 2008 postseason, hitting three home runs and was that guy riding the clydesdale down Broad Street during the Championship parade.
Burrell went on to play four more season with the Tampa Bay Rays and San Francisco Giants and was part of the team that knocked off the Phillies in the 2012 National League Championship Series en route to a World Series Victory over the Texas Rangers.
Pat the Bat's most productive years came in a Phillies uniform and because of that he will sign a one day minor league contract with the organization so that he can retire forever as a Phillie. How fitting. The ceremony will take place when the Phils play host to the Boston Red Sox on May 19th.
Burrell's career numbers pan out like this: 1640 games played, 292 home runs, and a .253 career batting average in 12 years, capturing two World Series rings.
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