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.

Warming up in the bullpen

I was sad when the late John Marzano took a job with Major League Baseball, leaving a void in the analyst seat at Comcast SportsNet for a former player with Philadelphia connections. But Mitch Williams relieved him admirably.

Both former players seemed to relish their roles, talking baseball and representing the views of both the athletes and the fans of Philadelphia. They weren't afraid to have fun or criticize a player.

Mitch really seemed to enjoy the 2008 championship - and not just because it officially got him off the hook for the Joe Carter home run. Johnny Marz would have loved watching it, too.

But Mitch won't be around to see whether the Phillies repeat. We just found out he's bailing on Philadelphia media to be part of the new MLB network. We haven't decided whether to upgrade our FIOS package to get the new network.

So this leaves another void at the microphone for a former athlete with Philly connections. I know the gut reaction will be just to increase Ricky Bottalico's air time. But might I humbly suggest another former Phillies reliever by the name of Ken Ryan? I know he's busy with his baseball academy, but he has broadcast experience with minor league games.

This endorsement is based solely on Ryan's ability and what's best for Phillies fans. It has nothing to do with generating traffic to our blog.

{So far, I think we've been unimpressed with Ricky Bo. Maybe he'll take some broadcast-speaking classes over the winter and get better with time, but so far he's been pretty dull.}

It really happened

It still seems surreal. We sat in bitter cold for two nights and watched with our own eyes as the Phillies clinched the World Series, but it's still hard to believe it's all over.

I'm sure tonight or tomorrow, Christine will flip on Comcast and be disappointed there's no game. She appreciates what the Phillies have done, but whether a season ends in bitter disappointment or the ultimate win we saw Wednesday, she'll soon be pining for spring training. She just likes watching the game. Meantime, we can still soak in what has just transpired.

Here's the scene from the last game of the year, played on Oct. 27 and Oct. 29. Phils 4, Rays 3, ending the series 4-1 for the 2008 World Champion Phillies.

Parking lot: We arrived way too early, although I guess it's never too early to get to the park for a World Series clincher. We sat in the car and ate sandwiches we brought along. A guy parked next to us and started bickering with a parking lot attendant. It seems he didn't want to pay for parking again. I didn't like having to pony up another $25, but we park at an unofficial lot that doesn't give receipts.

Pre-game inside the park: We walked around a bit, soaking in the fans revving up for the frenzied three innings. We saw Mitch Williams and Michael Barkan doing a pregame show. After they were done, Mitch posed for pictures with the fans.

The Build-A-Bear shop stocked Rays uniforms for the bears. What parent would do that to their child? On Monday, Christine high-fived a guy in a bear costume when we passed the store.

The Phillies apparently weren't planning for four home games. All of the World Series cookies and cupcakes from Monday night were sold out.

When we got to our seats, there was a cute little kid in front of us who decorated a paper towel roll that said "Phillies Rule" on one side and "Slay the Rays" on the other. He gave me high-fives during the game. The dolt sitting next to us on Monday who didn't know Shane Victorino's nickname asked me, "Do we bat first tonight?" How do these people get tickets? And how could you go the last 48 hours without getting it drilled in your head where the game left off?

The Phanatic whipped up an already feverish crowd into near-mayhem. Christine said only he could get such a reaction in Philly. But one of the Rays relievers then taunted the fans by raising his arms, almost suggesting, "Is that the best you got?"

It was like waving raw meat in front of a tiger cage. I don't know which reliever it was, but I'm sure that was the last little bit of fun he had that night.

Before the game started, Dorcus Whigham sang God Bless America. I like her performances. The crowd wanted the usual slow version, but she kept it upbeat, which was a good thing to keep the crowd's spirits high. Between this and Monday's National Anthem, I've never heard so much patriotic singing along.

Game on: With the crowd roaring, waving towels and shaking the stands, the much anticipated chess match between Charlie Manuel and Joe Maddon began with Geoff Jenkins doubling off Grant Balfour. There's never been so much excitement over a leadoff double.

Jenkins went to third on a Jimmy Rollins sacrifice bunt and scored on a Jayson Werth single. That's all they got, but the game felt over.

In the 7th, after striking out Dioner Navarro, Ryan Madson was tattooed by Rocco Baldelli, tying the game at three and costing Cole Hamels his fifth win in the playoffs. I wasn't concerned, but Christine blamed me for flashing the "eight more outs" sign. The Rays gave another scare, but Chase Utley ended the inning by duping a throw to first then throwing out Jason Bartlett at home. This might have been the play of the game.

In the bottom of the 7th, Pat Burrell led off. I've stuck up for him a lot this season, but said no more if he didn't come through with a hit. But I was confident and he ended up nearly homering, but he would up with a double. Eric Bruntlett came out to pinch-run, probably ending Pat the Bat's Philly days. Bruntlett advanced on a groundout and scored on a single by Pedro Feliz.

In the 8th, J.C. Romero had a relatively quiet inning, aided by a double play. David Price escaped harm in his half, setting the stage for Brad Lidge to do it for the soldiers one last time in a perfect season. Everyone notes that his only loss this year was in the All-Star game. I'm not saying he threw that game in July, but there were more World Series games in Philly than Tampa - including the home clincher.

Lidge got Evan "Eva" Longoria to pop out before Navarro singled. Pinch-runner Fernando Perez stole second, putting some doubt in the crowd. I got a little worried when Ben Zobrist hit one to right, but it hung up for Werth to catch. Up next: Eric Hinske, who had already homered earlier in the series. And I feared him throughout the series because he was a Red Sox last year. But he struck out, and Lidge dropped to his knees, shouting something he couldn't remember as Ryan Howard and his mates pummeled him into the ground.

Post-game: National TV ruins everything. Last year, when the Phillies clinched the NL East on the last day of the season, there was pure emotion as they celebrated with their fans.


Tuesday was a bit more orchestrated. Fireworks shot. A banner, rolled up all through the game, unfurled down the batter's eye. The Phanatic wove a 2008 banner, which the players grabbed to do a victory lap around the field.


Then everything was put on hold so Fox could do its official post-game. Bud Selig was drowned out in boos. Cholly got the loudest cheers. World Series MVP Cole Hamels, who's about to cash in after these playoffs, got a sweet 2010 Camaro that Carlos Ruiz probably could have used more.


I noticed one of the cops standing in the outfield threw someone's rally towel back into the stands. Then I saw more towels being thrown at the cop. He was rubbing them in the dirt for people to have a nice souvenir. Very nice gesture by one of Philly's finest.


The crowd was loud and supportive without incident. The only rioting came from the Phillies digging up home plate and the pitcher's rubber, which Jamie Moyer lugged off like a lumber jack.


Harry Kalas sang High Hopes and smacked down the Mets, CC Sabathia, Manny Ramirez and his own son.


We waited and waited, but saw no sign of Pat Burrell and Elvis - the only disappointment of the night.

Today: We woke up tired but happy. I was almost deprived of one of my day-after-a-championship pleasures because the newspapers were nearly wiped at my Wawa. There were a handful of Inquirers and just one Daily News, but it was overlooked by people in front of me because it had fallen apart. I pieced it together for Christine. Joe Wolf’s Vertical Jump has some of the celebratory covers along with some of the ones from Tampa.

Future: The parade is scheduled for Friday, and the stories about how the Phillies are built for the future have run. Just once, I'd like to see someone write that a newly crowned champion is going to fall apart next year. But I think the Phillies are in good shape for next year. The biggest challenges will be replacing Pat Burrell, fortifying the pitching and figuring out how to keep the money-hungry youngsters (Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard) happy.

This team went 24-6 down the stretch, losing just one game in each round of the playoffs. I've told Christine many times she has no idea – even with the suspended Game 5 – how easy it's been for her during the playoffs.

Each of us has been incredibly lucky the past few years. Our teams have won three of the last five championships – two of which ended long droughts. In person, we've seen the last game at the Vet, last year's division clincher and this year's World Series clincher. We'll never have a run like this again.

We probably won't renew our Sunday plan. It was great fun, but we expect other commitments next year. But we know there will be no way to top the baseball we've witnessed. We'll savor it a bit more, but pretty soon we have to get working on SoxandPhils 2009: World Series or bust.

We have some outtake photos that we'll post tomorrow or during the weekend. And Christine will pen some final thoughts on the season as well.

OK, no more interleague until the All-Star game

The Red Sox finished up their last interleague series by dropping a set to the Astros. Their magic number is now 76 - to clinch the Wild Card over the Twins. Yes, the Rays - the team no one took seriously - is in first place at the midway point. I never wrote them off. They won't choke like the Yankees, but I'm confident my guys will pull away with the division at some point.

In today's 3-2 loss, Josh Beckett pitched OK. I won't mention who allowed an inherited runner to score the decisive run. Did I mention I dropped Hideki Okajima from my fantasy team tonight? On a bright note, Dustin Pedroia has taken over for J.D. Drew as the hottest bat in the Sox lineup, hitting .484 since the Sox crossed leagues on June 13. The Sox finished their interleague schedule 11-7.

The Phillies, meanwhile, finished 4-11 against the American League. There will be no sweet sorrow for the Phils leaving Texas, where they lost tonight 5-1, dropping the series to the Rangers. Typical Jamie Moyer gave up three runs, but untypically he couldn't get out of the 6th. The vaunted Phillies hitters are MIA again - they can't wipe their asses with a tent pole, to paraphrase Charlie Manuel.

Finally, how has there not been more mention of the fact that Jamie Moyer was in the Mitch Williams-Rafael Palmeiro trade between the Cubs and Rangers in 1988? When that deal was made, who would have thought that the last man standing wouldn't be the 23-year-old lefty flame thrower, nor the 23-year-old All-Star outfielder, but the crafty 25-year-old lefty?