Pat Burrell

Guide Note:Pat Burrell is a Major League Baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies. He has played his entire 8 year career with the Phillies. Besides playing baseball in high school he played football against current New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. While at the University of Miami he had a stellar baseball career with a .442 average which ranked seventh on NCAA all-time list. His career .888 slugging percentage ranked second all-time in the NCAA. As a freshman and sophomore he was named 1st team all American five times. Burrell began his Philadelphia Phillies career in 2000 as a first baseman then moving to the outfield. He finished forth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting for 2000. He has been very active in charities, starting the "Burrell's Buddies" program in 2002, in which he purchases and donates $5,000 dollars worth of tickets to youth groups. After signing his six year contract extension, he donated $150,000 to Phillies Charities, Inc. and $100,000 to help provide services for retired baseball players and executives. He is known as a New York Mets killer, having hit more home runs against them than any other active player surpassing Barry Bonds and Chipper Jones during the 2007 season. Also in 2007 he became the third player in the Philadelphia Phillies history with seven consecutive seasons with 20 or more home runs joining Bobby Abreu and Mike Schmidt. Before the start of 2008 spring training t-shirts were made showing him shirtless performing a bicep curl with "Man or Machine?" printed on them. There was rumor that teammate Chase Utley was responsible for the t-shirts. His contract expires following the 2008 season and although he says he wishes to stay past this season, his future with the Philadelphia Phillies is unknown.

Fast Facts:

1. Born: October 10, 1976 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
2. Full name: Patrick Brian Burrell
3. College: University of Miami
4. Career Home Runs Through 2007: 218
5. Career Runs Batted Through 2007: 742
6. Career Batting Average Through 2007: .258
7. Nicknames: "Pat the Bat" and "Penthouse Pat"
8. Position: Left Field
9. Bats: Right
10. Throws: Right