Friday night should bring back some memories of October baseball for the Phillies and their fans -- the same weather (rainy), the same opponent (Tampa Bay) and the same guy patrolling left field (Pat Burrell).
The difference is that this time it will be warmer, a championship won't be on the line and, oh yeah, Pat the Bat will be in a Rays uniform rather than Phillies' pinstripes.
These On-Deck Series games are usually a final tune up for the Phils as they make roster adjustments and take one last look at some young talent while fans get reacquainted with the friendly confines of Citizens Bank Park. But, this year with Burrell in town things are more interesting.
The Phillies will honor Burrell prior to the game against the Rays. Every fan will get a Burrell print and the team will show a tribute including a pre-game thank you video to Pat the Bat, according to the Phillies.
The good will could surprise many fans.
After Burrell thanked the fans in Philly papers last month it's hard not to honor the guy. For all his shortcomings he was one of us for most of this decade -- that will never change.
Now let's just hope that we don't need to put the Pat Burrell Tribute on hiatus until the weather clears -- we've had enough rain delays in this city to last us for a while.
