Two players forever linked in Phillies history have reached the finish line.
One had a career .278 batting average, .384 on-base percentage and an .873 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) in 14 seasons. He made an all-star team, won a World Series and appeared in 55 postseason games.
The other hit 292 home runs, knocked in nearly 1,000 runs and was fitted for two World Series rings during a 12-year career.
Look at the numbers without knowing the names, and you'd be impressed.
Know the names before examining the numbers, and you may have a different opinion.
The first set of statistics belong to J.D. Drew, the second overall pick in the 1997 draft and arguably the most vilified professional athlete in Philadelphia history.
The second set of statistics belong to Pat Burrell, the first overall pick in the 1998 draft who endured some turbulent times but ultimately left the city a celebrated champion.
Though neither player has made an official announcement, it appears as if they are both going to retire after injury-shortened 2011 seasons.
How history remembers them and which player ended up having a better career makes for an interesting debate.
We know, of course, that Drew will not be remembered fondly in Philadelphia. He had a combined 145 plate appearances at Veterans Stadium and Citizens Bank Park, and he was lustily booed before each and every one of them.
The vitriol was deserved - having a battery thrown at him was not - because of the way Drew and his agent Scott Boras staged their yearlong contract battle with the Phillies. Boras thought Drew deserved a signing package worth $10 million. The Phillies disagreed and allowed a May 1998 deadline to pass without signing him.
"We have a difference of opinion," Boras said at the time. "The Phillies said they believe J.D. Drew may be a good regular player someday. Anything other than that, they're not sure. Our position is this is a substantial player. The Phillies believe he is a good regular player."
In retrospect, the Phillies were right. Drew was good but not great and you have to wonder if heightened expectations hindered his overall performance.
