Greg Fiume - Getty Images
Pat Burrell retired today, proving once again that if Brian Sabean doesn't want you, no one wants you. Nevertheless, we pause to honor him today.
Burrell doesn't seem likely to have a huge place in history, falling somewhere in the Hall of Good category, and the ongoing WAR-revolution isn't likely to help his legacy. He was, even at his supposed peak, quite often a 1.5 win player. At least by some metrics. Still, in nine seasons with the Phillies, he hit 251 home runs. Had he been a Royal, this would be quite many.
George Brett leads the Royals with 317 homers. Second is Mike Sweeney, who managed just 197, so Burrell, had he been a Royal, would have comfortably been second in team history in home runs. Well then.
The Royals don't really have a comparable player to Burrell in their history, who would perhaps be close to some weird averaging of Danny Tartabull's power with Hal McRae's or Amos Otis's longevity as a Royal. Tartabull managed 124 homers in just 657 games as a Royal, while McRae and Otis took 1800+ games to get to 169 and 193, respectively.
So anyway, if he had been a Royal, he would have been a big deal. But he wasn't.
1 recs | 11 comments
With Mark Quinn's defense
RoyalsRetro - January 30, 2012
But more walks
and probably less Kung Fu.
Sweep_the_Leg - January 30, 2012
Interesting angle.
Had he played his entire career with the Royals, which he wouldn’t have, and posted the same WAR, he would be 19th in team history by that metric. If you adjust to Adam Darowski’s creation weighted WAR, Burrel has 20.3 wWAR, which would be 24th, between Joakim Soria and David Cone. Borderline team Hall of Famer, probably would go in due to spending all 12 years of his career with KC. Which he wouldn’t have.
KCAaron - January 30, 2012
Dude, Burrell would have hit about 6 career home runs playing at the K.
That said, he would have also been our All-Star rep at least 7 times.
Dadunca - January 30, 2012
Pat the Bat
He totally fell off the face of the earth. The Tampa year(s?) was certainly far removed from his best years with the Phils.
OnixConcepcion - January 30, 2012
So anyway, if he had been a Royal, he would have been a big deal.
Yea right. How many Ron Polk Points did the guy have? We only fetishize slappy fielders who can bunt here in Kansas City.
RoyalsRetro - January 30, 2012
job for life!
billybeingbilly - January 31, 2012
Every time the Royals home run leaderboard is brought up,
I spiral into a day-long depression. It really makes no difference, but it is a stat with such prestige, and in the conversation, we don’t have a seat at the dinner table. We have reservations at the kiddie table. I’m as jealous of Balboni’s ‘stache as the next guy, but dammit, when’s gonna be Hosmer time???
KyleM - January 31, 2012
now?
Freneau - January 31, 2012 via iPhone app
OUR TIME
RoyalsRetro - January 31, 2012
I'm somewhat surprised
that he actually retired and this wasn’t breaking news about the inevitable GMDM pointless veteren signing of the year.
mitchfreakingmaier! - January 31, 2012
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