Eric Bruntlett, the definition of a utility player, was released last week by the Phillies organization. Bruntlett, who can play just about every position, had a down year in 2009. The Phillies kept him on their roster because they liked his ability to play the many different positions better than anyone else on their roster. Although Bruntlett was able to fill that role in the field, he was a downgrade at the plate as a bench player. Bruntlett hit well below the “Mendoza Line,” (below .200), for most of the season, and unfortunately, he will be remembered that way by most Phillies fans. In fact, I, myself, questioned why he remained on the Phils roster, and I even called him the worst player in all of baseball at one point this season. However, although Bruntlett will be remembered in a negative way on his way out, I would like to take the time now to remember all the good things about one of the all around “good guys” in the game.
In 2008, Bruntlett filled in nicely for Jimmy Rollins at shortstop in the beginning of the year when Rollins had to be sidelined for a few weeks with an injury. Bruntlett was getting regular at bats, and not only did he do a good job in the field, but he also did not hurt the Phils a great deal at the plate, and he even came up with some big hits. In 2009, even with Bruntletts’ down year, he came up with a fantastic play that will always be remembered. Bruntlett had an unassisted triple play to end the game, and it was only the 15th time in Major League Baseball History that an unassisted triple play occurred, and only the second time to end a game, which shows just how rare it was. The above two memories are certainly good ones, but the one memory that I have and all Phillies fans have of Eric Bruntlett, is that he scored the winning run in the 2008 World Series clinching game five against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Phillies went on to win the game, and Bruntlett contributed to the Phillies first World Series Championship since 1980, and it also broke a 25 year streak of no championships in any of the four major sports in Philadelphia. Eric Bruntlett will always be remembered for that.
Topics: Bats, Bench Player, Eric Bruntlett, First World Series, Game, Good Guys, Good Job, History, Jimmy Rollins, Major League Baseball, memories, Memory, Mendoza Line, Phillies Fans, Second Time, Shortstop, Tampa Bay Rays, Unassisted Triple Play, World Series, World Series Championship
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