MLB

Scores   Schedules   Standings   Statistics   Transactions   Injuries: AL | NL   Players   Weekly Lineup   Message Board   Minor Leagues   MLB Stat Search Clubhouses

Teams Anaheim Arizona Atlanta Baltimore Boston Chi Cubs Chi W Sox Cincinnati Cleveland Colorado Detroit Florida Houston Kan City LA Milwaukee Minnesota Montreal NY Mets NY Yankees Oakland Philly Pittsburgh San Diego San Fran Seattle St. Louis Tampa Bay Texas Toronto

Sport Sections

	TODAY: Tuesday, May 23
	Burrell to start Wednesday at Houston Associated Press
	HOUSTON -- Pat Burrell, the top pick in the 1998 amateur draft, was called up by the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday. "I'm excited," he said. "I've been waiting for this since I was a little kid. I just can't wait to get on the field." Burrell, 23, was scheduled to be activated before Wednesday's game at Houston and start at first base. He had been playing left field at Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre until Phillies first baseman Rico Brogna broke his wrist May 10. "I think he's ready," said Phillies general manager Ed Wade, who had sent his senior adviser to scout Burrell. "Our reports, even before Dallas Green went down to see him, (were) that he had gotten his feet under him offensively, and his play at first base was never a question." Burrell, a University of Miami product, began his professional career at Class A Clearwater in 1998 after winning the Golden Spikes Award, given annually to the nation's top amateur player. He spent nearly the entire 1999 season at Double-A Reading. He was promoted to Scranton in August and finished with a .320 combined average and 29 home runs. The 6-foot-4, right-handed hitter overcame a slow start this season and is batting .294 in 40 games with 31 runs, 15 doubles, one triple, four homers, 25 RBI, 32 walks and 36 strikeouts. Since May 3, Burrell has hit .387. "My personal feeling is that the more time you spend in Triple-A, the only thing it can do is damage your feelings," Phillies manager Terry Francona said. "But we can't expect him to come up here and carry the team. In a perfect world, he comes in and gives us a little jump start. And, he could very well do that." The Phillies started a nine-game road trip Tuesday night after finishing a 2-7 homestand. "I'd bet my bottom dollar that no matter what he does in the next month, he's going to be a good player," Francona said.		ALSO SEE Holt helps reeling Houston stop the bleeding