I will be the first to admit that I was furious when I heard Sabean was signing Pat Burrell. Pat is a product of the Steroid era. (I know that doesn't disturb my S.F. readers.....BLB ROCKS) but as far as I'm concerned, I can't wait until everyone who played in the 2003 All-star Game is out of the game. The only 2 players who WEREN'T juicing in that game were Ichiro and Todd Helton. (Helton was battling Crohn's disease and still is)Pat Burrell is from Eureka Springs, Arkansas. (not far from where my mom was born) and moved to California some time after the dust bowl. He went to Highschool in San Jose where he developed Bay Area roots. Out of Highschool, he attended the University of Miami where he won the Golden Spikes Award. (an award given to the best amateur Baseball athlete) Coincidentally Pat has 2 other Golden Spikes winners on the GIANTS in Tim Lincecum and one "Buster Posey". Last year's Golden Spikes award was earned by D.C. Phenom Stephen Strasburg.
Originally Sabean was not interested in signing Burrell. In fact Sabean signed him to a minor league contract (taking Buster Posey's place) with an advancement clause of a month.
When players come home it isn't always a good thing. Allstar outfielders Darryl Strawberry and Eric Davis were putting up obscene numbers in New York and Cincinnati respectively. But when both went home to L.A. in 1992 they were welcomed by poor childhood influences that did little to promote their career. (you do the math)
Adrian Gonzalez on the other hand came back to his hometown of San Diego and played as though Petco were a hitters park hitting 36 HR's in 2008 and 40 in 2009.
The 33 year old veteran of Philadelphia and Tampa Bay seems to be relaxed in his "home" environment. He's proving to be an asset to the team in more ways than one. He has been seen coaching Andres Torres on playing the massive outfield grass in Colorado. He's been seen helping the young phenom Buster Posey with hitting tips.
Pat Burrell is a new Ball Player. Instead of a big guy that was headed for the DH in the A.L., he's turned into an integral part of the San Francisco Roster.
My congratulations to the Right Handed outfielder.
The Burrellove is strong with this one.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I'm not certain he was "coaching" Torres so much as wanting - in a Carpenters sort of fashion - just wanting to be close to him.
ONdres, after all, seems to be well equipped to play where the buffalo roam.
I think it was in the Coors outfield when Pat was seen giving Torro an earful when he made a half assed attempt to catch/dive for a ball in Left Center. The ball got past Torro and Fowler got the first of his 3 triples. Burrell told Torro that you've got to make the decision to keep every thing in front of you in Coors. Torres is quick with great range,but he hasn't got the league experience that Burrell has. Andres Torres is/was truly over performing with raw talent.
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