Thanks J-Moy

The Phillies worst-kept secret is no more.

One old SoxandPhil is unceremoniously bumping another old SoxandPhil to the bullpen.

Pedro Martinez debuts Wednesday, meaning Sunday really was Jamie Moyer's last regular turn in the rotation.

When Moyer was signed by the Red Sox as a 32-year-old free agent 13 years ago, I didn't think much: staff filler. When he was traded, I was stoked: I loved Darren Bragg, a scrappy player who never turned out as I hoped.

Moyer went 6-2 for the Mariners that year and has since posted double-digit wins every year, except 2004, through this season.

I didn't understand why the Phillies traded away two prospects - who in retrospect didn't pan out - for Moyer in 2006 after they had dumped Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle. But he went 5-2 down the stretch, helping the Phillies make a late season push toward the playoffs. They finished three games behind the Wild Card Padres, but after dumping the veterans, they really had no business even coming so close.

The next year, Moyer was serviceable, but started what could be considered the most important Phillies game ever played at Citizens Bank Park: Sept. 30, 2007. With the Mets getting blown out, the Phillies just had to beat the Nationals to make the playoffs for the first time since 1993. The old, grizzled veteran, who grew up a Phillies fan, was determined to make sure that win was secure - giving up just an unearned run in 5 1/3 innings. It was the most fun we've ever had at a ballpark. (Even though Christine was a bit nervous before the Marlins started killing the Mets.)

Last year, J-Moy was brilliant, going 16-7 with a 3.71 ERA for the World Champs. He struggled a little during the playoffs, and some wanted him skipped out of the rotation. But in the first World Series game played in Philadelphia since 1993, the 45-year-old, pitching with a stomach bug and in cold, wet weather, gave up three runs in 6 1/3 innings in a game the Phillies won in the bottom of the 9th.

A few days later, he dug up the the pitching rubber while the Phillies celebrated the title. It could have been a storybook ending: Hometown boy wins his first World Series during the twilight of his career.

But storybooks don't always end at the right time. This year, Jamie Moyer struggled, and then the Phillies - who have had several holes in the rotation throughout the year - suddenly had a glut of starters after acquiring Pedro and Cliff Lee.

Jamie Moyer, seen on the right making the long, lonely walk to the bullpen before Sunday's game, had to go:

"Based on our reports on how Pedro has pitched in his rehab starts, we felt it was time to move him into our rotation," manager Charlie Manuel said in a press release. "Jamie was a total professional and team player when we let him know of the decision to move him to the bullpen. He has been and will continue to be a very important part of this team."

Some idiots booed when he was lifted on Sunday. I clapped. And the Phillies aren't even my team. I agree with the move, but as long as there isn't anything we don't know about the Jamie Moyer story, he remains unbooable.

Unless the Red Sox win the World Series this year, I hope Jamie Moyer comes out of the pen to get some critical outs to help clinch the repeat. Then, maybe his storybook career will have the storybook ending he deserves.

Tonight's game: The Red Sox lead the Tigers 5-3 in the 6th. I'm watching on ESPN to see how they blow it. I'm more interested in Junichi Tazawa's start tomorrow.