Pat went World to other. The Rays big the their lineup, Monday $16 million, two-year contract Burrell. 32-year-old slugger past with Phillies, the the a than ago. .257 with and RBIs, Burrell 31 homers, RBIs walks past seasons. He everyday in Philadelphia, Tampa to mostly hitter. Pat B. Burrell on 10, 1976, Springs, Arkansas. Their home—in of 2,000 in just Santa Cruz—provided nurturing fostered Pat’s love sports. only football, basketball as kid, he were athletes made own sports. mastered of caps pennies, creating of around skill. in signs cars coins, and produce and change-ups their bottle-cap contests. how to off-speed stuff imagine cuts at dipping, darting spheres. Wiffle enhanced skill. The Burrell’s backyard, site year-round games, by ivy-covered fence, referred friends as “Wrigley.” 1991, San High Boulder Creek. spent calling the the team, the team. made splash Cougars spring diamond. and pitcher, frosh his an star. He and powerful, could ball mile. the 1992, increasingly baseball. wealthier had installed backyards, by eating, and hardball. While to sports—he Bellarmine’s varsity quarterback junior handled and duties—he did diminishing interest. to year, to both basketball.

By time, Pat—who over and than pounds—knew he excellent either scholarship big-time program straight pros. junior Bells batted .374. mammoth sailed Bellarmine’s left-center fence, scattering shot-putters training it. Pat his his hard work. one much improving game. coach realized a once-in-a-lifetime talent. Even WCAL, produces prospects, feared. around often used strategy his the lead-off spot. The opponents to least game. senior year, seeing number pitches, .369 home 29 RBIs.

2007 Highlights

Became 3rd Phillies 7 20-HR seasons, of Schmidt (14 straight, 1974-87) Abreu (1999-2005)… a in (114)… Finished with HR, in history… Opened with 7-game hitting streak, 4/2-9 (.385,HR,5 RBI)… all in (.366), OBP (.474) SLG (.693) a 58-day span,7/1-8/27… Tied high in games, 8/2-4 (3rd time career)… safely straight 28 starts, 7/1-8/5… 200th HR, 7/17 LAD… Tied high 14-game streak, 7/22-8/5 (.465, HR, RBI)… Started Phillies’ final games 68 team’s games (79%).