Alumni - current and future

Last year's Alumni Batting Challenge was a washout. Literally. So we weren't sure that they would get this year's in, especially because we woke Sunday morning to monster downpours.

I know how hard it rained because I was off to the hardware store first thing in the morning to get supplies to fix the gaping holes the fallen shelf had put in our coat closet.

But by the afternoon, the sun was out, and the old-timers - Mitch Williams (hacking away at the right), Ricky Bottalico, Dickie Noles, Jim Eisenreich, Milt Thompson and Ricky Jordan - were swinging away.

That was largely the same lineup we should have seen last year, except swap in Tyler Green and Ozzie Virgil for Noles and Eisenreich.

We arrived a little bit later than we planned and were still gathering our concessions when the action started.

"Why is it so quiet?" Christine asked as the still-filling-up park sounded like a church.

"Ricky Bo's batting," I said. "They're letting him concentrate.

We missed his swings, but were seated for the sluggers: Eisenreich (seen on the left), Thompson (who could use some pointers) and Jordan (the only one who hit a home run - two out to left).

With so few balls leaving the yard, the former Phils gave plenty of fielding practice to those patrolling the outfield.

A young player, really green, was a crowd-pleaser whenever he caught one. We saw him nab at least two.

He had a real unconventional fielding method, which made him appear as if he were floundering about fishing for the ball.

In fact, you can see to the right that he seems perplexed by the ball he had snared.

In the end it was the gray team, the Rickys, Bottalico and Jordan, that prevailed.

When we heard Ricky Bo had 46 points, we had no idea that would be one of the highest totals of the day.

The Rickys won with 101 points followed by the Phils of '93 (Williams and Eisenreich) with 78 points while hitting coach Thompson and Noles took up the rear with 66 points.

But I'm sure the points mattered less to the alumni than gathering on the field again with their comrades and taking some hacks at the yard.

One funny thing ... after the contestants gathered for a group photo, Mitch Williams quickly ran off. It might have been the quickest we saw a Phillie move the whole day (except maybe when Shane Victorino charged the ump after getting ejected).

Future alum: Jamie Moyer may not participate in alumni gatherings after he finally retires. He's mad and feels betrayed by the organization for sending him to the bullpen:

I will take what they've asked me to do, but I'm not really excited about the decision that has been made. Ultimately, I'm a little dishearted because this past winter when I was negotiating with the Phillies this was a sore thumb, if you will, about this potentially happening.

You can't promise anything in this game, but I really felt that Ruben (Amaro Jr.) parlayed to me that this type of situation would not happen. Actually, even had some discussion with David (Montgomery) with them reassuring me that this type of situation wouldn't happen.

He got things off his chest before tonight's game, but wouldn't take questions. I thought he would take the move professionally - publicly at least.

Tonight's action: Junichi Tazawa's first big league start didn't go off well. A Nick Green error capped a three-run 1st inning for the Tigers. Mike Lowell - replacing Kevin Youkilis who was ejected for charging the mound - hit two home runs and Jason Bay hit one to give the Red Sox a 6-3 lead in the 7th.

Making his first start since being removed from the guillotine, J.A. Happ didn't pitch a shutout like last time. But he got NO support, until shortly after I typed that line. Carlos Ruiz spoiled Rich Harden's perfect game with a walk in the 6th. Jimmy Rollins ruined his no-hitter, shutout and hopefully win. In the 8th, Phillies 3, Cubs 2.