I was watching the Phillies rain delay programming last week hoping to see a special about the great Pat Burrell. Instead, I ended up watching a special about the late and great Richie Ashburn. It was a nice tribute and all but it caused me to realize something. Richie Ashburn passed away in September 1997, but Pat Burrell did not make his Phillies debut until 2000. This means that the Phillies’ greatest outfielder never had one of his home runs called by the Phillies’ other greatest outfielder.

I was sad at first, but then I realized that Pat himself is a tribute to the memory of Richie Ashburn. Let’s look at some of the irrefutable facts

• Pat was the first overall pick in the first draft after Richie went to the great clubhouse in the sky.
• Pat has adopted Richie’s tradition of being widely known by his nickname (see ‘The Bat’ and ‘Whitey’).

Living tribute? Reincarnation? Guardian angel in the outfield? Whatever explanation you come up with, we’ll all be here rooting for Pat to bring home one award Richie was denied. And when he does, we know he’ll be doing it for the both of them.