The Fightins have the scoop on Pat Burrell’s ultra-classy full page ads in both of the Philly daily papers.

Burrell experienced the rarest of Phillies careers – big expectations, big slumps, storybook ending, fan love. I’ll never forget squirming in my seat during many a 2003 game when pat came to the plate. It was uncomfortable watching him struggle through his season-long slump.

If you looked at his career stats, and lined them up against his contract with no other context, you’d have to assume that it ended badly.

Instead, it ended on a Budweiser truck with his wife and dog.

There was a comment on Beerleaguer the other day that perfectly summed up my feelings on Burrell. I wouldn’t even try to write it my own way:

I’ll be honest: Pat is the one player I don’t really care about being perfectly objective about. I love the fact that he’s a guy who did his thing in Philly and just kept doing it.
…….

I don’t care what Pat’s numbers will be or what they could be if he stayed in Philly. I don’t know what he’ll do. I know that he’s the man and I wish he was a Phillie.

***************************************

The Phils dropped a game yesterday to the Pirates, 6-5. Joe Blanton had a very Joe Blanton-type game. 4.2 innings, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 K, 0 BB. Joe Blanton is the least of our worries. As a No. 3 or 4 pitcher, he’ll be just fine. I wrote more about Joe’s consistent 2008 here.

Adam Eaton proves once again that he is stricken with a strain of clueless not seen in ages. This guy is impossible to like. Frankly, it’s an insult to his former teammates for this guy to say the following:

I helped them get to the playoffs two years in a row, and obviously we won the World Series last year. That’s a big thrill of mine, but obviously I still want to compete in that World Series atmosphere.

The Phils were 8-11 when Adam Eaton started a game. They were 84-59 when he didn’t start. Is he delusional, or purposely trying to drive Phillies fans insane?

***************************************

Todd Zolecki has an in-depth look at the Phillies’ bench situation.

***************************************

More Hardball is narrowing down the hottest fans in baseball.

***************************************

Tom Goyne over at Balls, Sticks & Stuff is worried about Jayson Werth. Me, too. Not only is outfield depth a concern, but so is right handed power.