"Burrell's start Wednesday might be last of career

From the moment Pat Burrell arrived with the Giants in June of last year, he and manager Bruce Bochy got along famously.

Burrell respected the way Bochy trusted his players to police the clubhouse. Bochy valued Burrell's ability to imbue the room with confidence.

So when Burrell asked to start in left field in the regular-season finale Wednesday, very likely suiting up for the final time as a big leaguer, Bochy didn't hesitate to grant the request.

"When he came over, it changed us," Bochy said. "And when he wasn't here, we missed him. Even if he's not hitting the ball out, he finds ways to get walks, get on base, grind out at-bats.""