There’s a widespread perception that Pat Burrell is a product of Citizens Bank Park. Like so many other widespread perceptions, that one is simply not true.
What is true is that Burrell was significantly better at home than on the road in 2007. In ’07, Burrell hit just .220 on the road but kept his numbers at their traditional levels by posting a monster 295/430/586 line at home.
In 2006 and 2008 Burrell was better on the road than at home. In 2006 he was slightly better. In 2008 he was significantly better.
Home |
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| Year | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| 2006 | .261 | .394 | .487 | .880 |
| 2007 | .295 | .430 | .586 | 1.016 |
| 2008 | .230 | .348 | .439 | .786 |
| Total Home ’06-’08 |
.260 | .389 | .500 | .889 |
Away |
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| 2006 | .254 | .383 | .517 | .900 |
| 2007 | .220 | .370 | .424 | .795 |
| 2008 | .270 | .387 | .577 | .964 |
| Total Away ’06-’08 |
.249 | .380 | .508 | .888 |
In 2008, among the 218 MLB players with at least 200 plate appearances away from home, Burrell’s .577 slugging percentage was fifth best (Michael Bourn, incidentally, was last — he slugged .277 in 261 plate appearances on the road in ’08). Two players in that group of 218, Albert Pujols and Manny Ramirez, posted a better OPS on the road than Burrell did. The only players to hit more home runs than the 21 Burrell hit away from home were Ryan Howard and San Diego’s Adrian Gonzalez. They both hit 22.
The Phillies did not offer arbitration to Jamie Moyer or Burrell, which is not a problem unless they sign with another team. I would still guess the Phillies bring both of them back.
Interview with Chad Durbin at Jimmy Scott’s High and Tight.
