Pat "The Bait" (not The Bat)

Evidently Pat Burrell's nickname amongst his teammates, at least a few years ago, wasn't "The Bat" as most people call him. Rather, it was "the Bait". With good reason, too.

Quick little yarn for you: While I was interviewing Fox analyst Tim McCarver last week, Harry Kalas wandered over to say hello. McCarver complimented Kalas on the fine job he did when introducing the Phillies' lineup on Fox before Game 1.

"Thanks," Kalas said. Then he nodded in my direction and asked McCarver, "Did you tell him the bait story?"

During his appearance on Fox, Kalas introduced Pat Burrell as "The Bait," then said that was a story for another day. That day has come. Here's that tale: During Burrell's first few years with the club, before he was married, the older players used to command him to make appearances at the bar while the Phillies were on the road. They dangled him as "bait" to attract women.

"Can you imagine how many hearts Burrell has broken?" Kalas said.