Pat Burrell to Officially Retire as a Phillie

Outfielder Pat Burrell will officially retire as a Phillie during the Boston Red Sox series at Citizens Bank Park in May.

The 35-year-old will sign a one-day minor league contract with the Phillies, thus officially retiring as a member of the organization that selected him as the very first player in the 1998 draft.  He’ll be honored during pregame on Saturday, May 19, by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

Burrell wore Phillies pinstripes for nine seasons and ranks fourth in club history in home runs (251), eighth in RBI (827) and ninth in extra-base hits (518).  His Phillies career concluded with a World Championship in 2008.  His last hit as a Phillie was a double that led to the winning run in the decisive Game 5.

He spent the last three seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays and San Francisco Giants, winning another World Series with the Giants in 2010.