The Main Event
April 24, 2008 – Pat Burrell drives in two runs in a 3-1 win over Milwaukee, breaking the team RBI record for April with a total of 24 to that point. He would go on to record 32 RBI for the month. Von Hayes had 22 in 1989.
The 2008 Season and a Historic April
Burrell’s 2008 campaign began with a surge that put him into the franchise record books. In April of that year, he set a Phillies record for runs batted in during a single month, driving in 32 runs. That mark highlighted not just a hot streak, but his ability to anchor the middle of the lineup when the team needed it most early in the season. His approach at the plate was disciplined, often working deep counts and capitalizing on mistakes. Opposing pitchers struggled to find a consistent way to attack him, and his combination of power and patience helped set the tone for a potent offense.
That fast start carried into a strong overall season. Burrell finished 2008 with 33 home runs and 86 RBI, while also posting an on-base percentage of .367. He was not just a slugger. He was a stabilizing presence in a lineup that included rising stars and established veterans. His ability to get on base and hit for power made him a constant threat in run-producing situations.
Contributions to the 2008 World Series Team
The 2008 Phillies were defined by balance, resilience, and timely hitting, and Burrell was central to that formula. During the postseason, he delivered several key moments, none bigger than his late-game heroics in Game 5 of the 2008 National League Championship Series. With the game tied late, Burrell drew a critical walk and later came around to score the go-ahead run, setting up the final push toward the franchise’s first championship since 1980.
His postseason numbers do not always jump off the page, but his impact went beyond the box score. Burrell’s veteran presence helped steady a team navigating the pressure of October baseball. He understood situational hitting, worked counts, and forced pitchers into uncomfortable spots. In a lineup that featured players like Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, Burrell’s role as a complementary power bat was essential.
A Nemesis to the Mets
One of the things that Phillies fans loved most about Burrell was his penchant for coming through in big spots against the New York Mets. In late August of 2007, Burrell led the Phillies to a four-game sweep of the Mets when he hit four home runs in the series. In total, he hit 42 home runs against the Mets through the 2011 season, his highest total against any team, which ranked fifth all-time in home runs hit against the franchise at the time of his departure from Philadelphia.
Injuries and Career Limitations
Despite his success, Burrell’s career was not without setbacks. Over time, injuries began to take a toll, particularly on his mobility and consistency. Foot and knee issues limited his defensive abilities and contributed to a gradual decline in his overall performance. While he remained productive into his early 30s, those physical challenges prevented him from sustaining peak output over a longer period.
His later years included stops outside Philadelphia, but he was never quite the same player he had been during his prime. Even so, his career totals remain impressive, including 292 home runs and 976 RBI. There is a sense that, had he remained healthier, those numbers could have climbed even higher.
Life After Baseball
Since retiring, Burrell has stayed connected to the game. Burrell finished his playing career with the San Francisco Giants and became a special assignment scout for the team after ending his playing career. He also served as the hitting coach for the San Jose Giants in the Low-A California League and then was the hitting coach for the Giants at the major league level. Currently, Burrell is a special assistant in the Giants Player Development Department. He has also maintained ties to the Phillies organization, often appearing at alumni events and celebrations tied to the 2008 championship team.
Burrell’s legacy in Philadelphia is secure. He is remembered not only for his power numbers, but for his role in delivering a championship season that still resonates with fans. His record-setting April in 2008 and his contributions during that postseason ensure that his name remains tied to one of the most important eras in franchise history.
Philadelphia Baseball Events for April 24
- April 24, 1894 – Lave Cross hits for the cycle — the first catcher to do so. He also walked, as the Phillies beat Brooklyn 22-5.
- April 24, 1904 – Phillie Frank Roth and two members of the Brooklyn Superbas are arrested two pitches into a game at Brooklyn on the charge of playing an organized sport on Sunday. The New York Police Commissioner made the move to test the validity of a new city blue law. The managers replaced the arrested players and completed the game, which the Phillies lost 8-6. The players remained in custody for nearly a week before being released by a judge who ruled that Sunday ballgames were not illegal unless they interrupted the repose and religious liberty of the community.
- April 24, 1947 – Phillies skipper Ben Chapman is absent from the last game of a 3-game set in Brooklyn. For the first 2 games, Chapman led the vicious racist taunts hurled at Dodger rookie Jackie Robinson. It is rumored that Chapman was ordered by the Commissioner to sit out the last game. The Dodgers swept the series, in which the Phillies scored a total of 2 runs in 27 innings.
- April 24, 2003 – Chase Utley hits a grand slam in his first major league start, leading the Phillies to a 9-1 victory over Colorado at Veterans’ Stadium.
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Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for April 24
- Bob Ewing (born 1873) – A right-handed pitcher who pitched in 38 games with the 1910 and 1911 Phillies. Overall, had an 11-year MLB career, eight of those seasons were with Cincinnati.
- Joe Verbanic (born 1943) – Made 17 relief appearances with the 1966 Phillies. A left-hander, he went on to pitch for the Yankees from 1967-1970.
- Pat Zachry (born 1952) – In his final MLB season, Zachry pitched in 10 games for the 1985 Phillies with a 4.26 ERA. Also pitched for Cincinnati, the Mets, and the Dodgers.
- Todd Jones (born 1968) – Acquired from Cincinnati at the trade deadline in 2004, Jones made 27 relief appearances with a 4.97 ERA. Pitched for eight teams over a 16-year career during which he saved 319 games.
- Bailey Falter (born 1997) – A lefty, Falter came up through the Phillies organization and pitched for them in two-plus seasons prior to being traded to Pittsburgh for infielder Rodolfo Castro in 2023. Currently with Kansas City, Falter is on the IL with left elbow inflammation.
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