Pat Burrell Would Have Been a Historically Great Royal, If He Had Been a Royal

by Freneau on Jan 30, 2012 8:09 PM EST in Kansas City Royals News

Pat Burrell retired today, proving once again that if Brian Sabean doesn't want you, no one wants you. Nevertheless, we pause to honor him today.

Burrell doesn't seem likely to have a huge place in history, falling somewhere in the Hall of Good category, and the ongoing WAR-revolution isn't likely to help his legacy. He was, even at his supposed peak, quite often a 1.5 win player. At least by some metrics. Still, in nine seasons with the Phillies, he hit 251 home runs. Had he been a Royal, this would be quite many.

George Brett leads the Royals with 317 homers. Second is Mike Sweeney, who managed just 197, so Burrell, had he been a Royal, would have comfortably been second in team history in home runs. Well then.

The Royals don't really have a comparable player to Burrell in their history, who would perhaps be close to some weird averaging of Danny Tartabull's power with Hal McRae's or Amos Otis's longevity as a Royal. Tartabull managed 124 homers in just 657 games as a Royal, while McRae and Otis took 1800+ games to get to 169 and 193, respectively.

So anyway, if he had been a Royal, he would have been a big deal. But he wasn't.

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With Mark Quinn's defense

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jan 30, 2012 8:26 PM EST reply actions

But more walks

and probably less Kung Fu.

by Sweep_the_Leg on Jan 30, 2012 11:42 PM EST up reply actions

Interesting angle.

Had he played his entire career with the Royals, which he wouldn’t have, and posted the same WAR, he would be 19th in team history by that metric. If you adjust to Adam Darowski’s creation weighted WAR, Burrel has 20.3 wWAR, which would be 24th, between Joakim Soria and David Cone. Borderline team Hall of Famer, probably would go in due to spending all 12 years of his career with KC. Which he wouldn’t have.

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by KCAaron on Jan 30, 2012 8:59 PM EST reply actions

Dude, Burrell would have hit about 6 career home runs playing at the K.

That said, he would have also been our All-Star rep at least 7 times.

by Dadunca on Jan 30, 2012 10:08 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

Pat the Bat

He totally fell off the face of the earth. The Tampa year(s?) was certainly far removed from his best years with the Phils.

by OnixConcepcion on Jan 30, 2012 10:58 PM EST reply actions

So anyway, if he had been a Royal, he would have been a big deal.

Yea right. How many Ron Polk Points did the guy have? We only fetishize slappy fielders who can bunt here in Kansas City.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jan 30, 2012 11:59 PM EST reply actions

job for life!

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jan 31, 2012 12:26 AM EST reply actions

Every time the Royals home run leaderboard is brought up,

I spiral into a day-long depression. It really makes no difference, but it is a stat with such prestige, and in the conversation, we don’t have a seat at the dinner table. We have reservations at the kiddie table. I’m as jealous of Balboni’s ‘stache as the next guy, but dammit, when’s gonna be Hosmer time???

by KyleM on Jan 31, 2012 1:29 AM EST reply actions