Phillies

Shane Victorino: “Pat Burrell was similar to a godfather”

By Kyle Scott

Published: Apr 17th, 2012 · 12:38 PM EDT

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Aubrey Huff kisses Pat Burrell, after he won his second World Series title

Any time someone refers to Pat Burrell as a godfather and talks about how he was every woman’s dream, we will always post about it.

In this morning’s Daily News (incredibly, they still have money for ink!), Marcus Hayes penned a lengthy styling about two-time World Champion (I know, that just looks weird) Pat Burrell, who will be throwing out the first pitch at tonight’s Phillies-Giants game and will sign a one-day contract to a retire a Phillie on May 19. The story, which talks about how much of a leader and mentor Burrell was (especially to Chase Utley), is well worth your time. But this one part stood out.

Take it away, Marcus: [Philly.com]

The corner locker belonged to Burrell. He radiated charisma, with his Ray Liotta eyes and his Rat Pack exploits.

"He handled his business," says Howard, grinning. "If you're going to go out and party or whatever, you have to come in the next day to handle your business . . . I know it's hard to believe, but he was very professional.

"He was a big-leaguer."

"He was the guy," says Shane Victorino. "He was a cornerstone piece on this team, But, when you think about Pat Burrell, and what he was in this city, not just from a baseball standpoint, he was an iconic person.

"He was everybody's dream. Every girl's dream," Victorino says.

Every player watched how Pat dressed, what Pat drove, where Pat lived, how Pat tipped clubhouse attendants and barkeeps, says Victorino: "He was similar to a godfather."

 

Or a gimp.

It is an interesting read about how Burrell was looked up to despite his late nights and being forced to take a back seat to Rollins, Utley, Howard and Co. when they arrived in the mid-oughts. It’s nothing that most of us didn’t already know, but includes some good quotes from Victorino, Howard, Thome and Manuel.