January 30, 2012

Burrell makes it official: he’s done

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Former Giants outfielder Pat Burrell has officially retired, according to MLB Trade Rumors and confirmed by Ken Rosenthal at FOX Sports.

This shouldn’t come as a real big surprise for anyone who follows this site since we first speculated his retirement back in November.

The popular outfielder known as “Pat The Bat” told the Associated Press then that his career was likely over due to a foot injury.

“I don’t think I can play anymore. It hurts me to say that,” Burrell told the AP in November.

Burrell, 35, had a resurgent second half of the 2010 season, helping the G-men win their first World Series in San Francisco.

After batting just .202 with 2 HR and 13 RBI in 24 games for Tampa Bay, the Rays cut him loose. Giants GM Brian Sabean took a chance on him and it paid off as Burrell went on to hit .267 with 18 HR and 51 RBI in 96 games for the Giants that year.

He was a constant presence in the Giants’ locker room and dugout, where he and Aubrey Huff became like frat brothers in a college dorm. He roommated with Brian Wilson and is believed to be the man behind the getup in an unforgettable appearance by “The Machine” in a Cheap Seats video interview with Chris Rose. That sense of fun and camaraderie was a huge reason for the Giants’ magical run in 2010 and Burrell will surely be remembered fondly by Giants fans — especially the female ones.

The Bay Area native (who went to high school in San Jose) battled a foot injury that limited him to just 96 games in 2011 and he struggled to a .230 batting average with just 7 HR and 21 RBI.

He played for nine seasons in Philadelphia, after the Phils took him in the first round of the 1998 draft.

The final numbers on the back of Burrell’s playing card look like this:

    • 12 seasons
    • 1,640 games played
    • 6,520 plate appearances
    • 5,503 at bats
    • 767 runs scored
    • 1,393 hits
    • 299 doubles
    • 16 triples
    • 292 home runs
    • 976 RBI
    • 7 stolen bases
    • 932 walks
    • 1,564 strikeouts
    • .253 career batting average
    • .361 career on-base percentage
    • .472 career slugging percentage
    • .834 career OPS
    • 31 postseason games
    • 2 World Series rings

14 Responses to Burrell makes it official: he’s done

  1. Michael J says:
    January 30, 2012 at 1:36 pm

    I enjoyed this post, Troy. I hope Pat enjoys the recollections of a successful career for a very long time. He had some wonderful moments contributing in a variety of meaningful way to two World Series Championship teams.

    I have to add one important note, however. Here in San Francisco we men take our men very seriously, and many of us believe Pat was the most handsome man to even wear a Giants uniform. Please, always remember, it’s the SAN FRANCISCO Giants.

  2. Jack Hamlett says:
    January 30, 2012 at 7:42 pm

    Pat was a great player and I am very glad for him. Enjoy all the great years of doing what you wanted ,playing Baseball. Fantastic
    Thanks Pat

  3. MaryLou R. says:
    January 30, 2012 at 9:39 pm

    I totally agree, he is the best looking Giant, very sexy, the best legs and b…., when you watch him from behind, standing there waiting to catch the ball, his arms on his side, it’s a beautiful pose. I have taken great photos of him, very sad indeed that he is not coming back, we will miss him.

  4. Troy Nelson says:
    January 30, 2012 at 10:28 pm

    Well, fans, do you agree with Michael and MaryLou? Was Pat The Bat one of the best-looking Giants ever? Chime in.