The Philadelphia Phillies are currently sitting third in the National League East division, a mere two and a half games back behind the division leading Florida Marlins, with a record of 12-11. They are one strong series away from first place despite having reigning MVP shortstop Jimmy Rollins and speedy centerfielder Shane Victorino on the disabled list; despite being fourth worst in the majors in errors with twenty one, only three behind league worst Pittsburgh; despite former NL Rookie of the Year and MVP Ryan Howard having one of the worst starts of any MVP in recent memory. Howard, batting .181 with four home runs and nine RBIs on the year, did not start today’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, in hopes that a day off might help him work things out (although I agree with J’ that this is perhaps not the most prudent option, as the only way he will get out of his fun is to physically work through it). No one on the Phillies currently has more than Howard’s nine RBIs or his four homeruns.

That is with the exception of Chase Utley and Pat Burrell. This potent one two punch is leading the league in both home runs (Utley 10, Burrell 8 ) and RBIs (Burrell 25*, Utley 21). Utley is currently fifth in the majors with a .368 batting average, Burrell eleventh batting .351. Burrell leads the league batting with runners in scoring position. You read correctly, Pat Burrell leads the league batting with runners in scoring position. They are just tearing the cover off the ball and have single handidly (or is it double handidly) put this Phils offense on their backs. While it is certainly still early (I know! It’s only April! But someone has to say it.), visions of a three peat dance through my head. However, if they both continue on the pace that they are on right now then not only will the Phillies have three MVPs in a row, but we will have an inter-squad competition over it. Many of the baseball writing elite (which, if you asked me, are only the fine writers here at Hot Stove) picked Chase to win the high honor this year.

No one, however, could have imagined that Burrell would competing as well. Everywhere I go people say to me, “Well of course, it’s a contract year.” I disagree. During his eight year tenure with the Phillies, Burrell has constantly worked tirelessly to make himself better. Through his struggles during the 2003 season the Phillies’ faithful rallied behind the beleaguered slugger because they saw how hard he was trying to improve his swing. Burrell is a rare professional athlete (at least a rare Philadelphia professional athlete anyway) in that he understands that Philadelphia fans appreciate hard work and dedication. He doesn’t get upset and complain when fans finally did boo him after he struggled so mightily over the past couple seasons, particularly with runners in scoring position. He understands it was because he wasn’t producing. Instead of whining about it and demanding a trade (ala Scott Rolen), he worked harder and is now leading the league with runners in scoring position. He just got better. Contract or no contract, Burrell is a hard worker, the type of athlete that typifies the Philadelphia work ethic.