June 8, 2007

Shea Stadium

An MVP moment in Pat Burrell history

It’s a dark New York night.  The Philadelphia Phillies are trying to dig themselves out of their annual losing quagmire. They’re close, but it’s only June and the Phils have a long way to go before even thinking about the playoffs.  Their opponents, however, are a different story.  The New York Mets were riding high atop the National League East.  The playoffs were a given, a guarantee.  Mets fans weren’t worried about a game against lowly Philadelphia.  No, Mets fans were more interested in discussing which New York team has the best third-baseman.

The game was a slow, back-and-forth affair until New York took the lead in the bottom of the sixth.  The 3-2 score carried into the top of the ninth inning when the Mets brought in their perfect closer, Billy Wagner, to shut down the inning and seal the deal.  Billy hadn’t blown a save all season.  In fact, he hadn’t blown a save since the middle of 2006.  The Phils were desperately watching the playoffs slip away and anticipating another autumn of despair.  Then Pat Burrell stepped to the plate.

With a swing of the bat, Pat Burrell turned around Philly’s season.  He gave hope to those who so sorely needed it.  He showed the mighty Mets what it meant to be a champion.  The Phillies went on to win the game and set the foundation in place for a playoff push.  Indeed, with a swing of the bat, Pat Burrell hit one out of the park… and into our hearts.