Live from the World Series

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PHILADELPHIA - Everyone that was at last night's Game 3 of the World Series here in Philadelphia that extended well into the early morning hours undoubtedly slept in this morning. When we all woke up, we were greeted by beautiful sunshine. That was sure a sight for sore eyes after yesterday's rainy day.

I got to the ballpark about 4 o'clock. Wanted to try to get in to the Eagles football game next door at Lincoln Financial Field, but as I was trying to get in, thousands of Eagles fans were trying to get out. They won. South Philly is the place to be for the cities' sports fans with the Eagles, Phillies (Citizens Bank Park) and 76ers (Wauchovia Center) all together. I hear the Who are having a concert tonight also at the Wauchovia Center. I believe the old Veteran's Stadium once stood along side the new baseball park. The 76ers former home, the Spectrum, still stands for now, but I hear it is ticketed for a new mall.

Both teams got out for batting practice tonight, unlike last night in the rain. I quickly visited with J.A. Happ and said hello to Chad Durbin as they walked off the field.

They just announced the presentation for the Hank Aaron Award will be held downstairs. I'm going to head down to the see the Hammer and Commissioner Bud Selig. Cubs fans, you'll like this. Aramis Ramirez is the N.L. recipient.

I'm going to keep tonight's blog all in chronological order from top to bottom to make it more reader friendly. First pitch is about a hour away.

* * *

We just had through player introductions. Sure neat to see local boys out there like J.A. Happ and Chad Durbin. The Phillies were introduced one by one, each receiving an applause, louder cheers reserved for favorites like bullpen ace Brad Lidge, ace pitcher Cole Hamels, Philadelphia native Jamie Moyer, last night's winning pitcher, Matt Stairs, who hit a key homer in the NLCS, among others.

Of course, Philly fans boo the Rays like there was no tomorrow. These are the same Philly fans to once boo Santa Claus!

We're in the middle of a TV timeout to let FOX get in its final pregame ads, They got to pay the bills. We just threw out the first pitch at 8:31 p.m. or just about 19 hours since last night's, er, this morning's Game 3 got over. It's a strike. Game on!

Stay tuned.

* * * If you like the long ball, tonight's your game. The Rays have hit two solo shots, Carl Crawford and pinch hitter Erin Hinske. The Phillies have matched them with a three-run shot by Ryan Howard, and just now, a suprising blast by pitcher Joe Blanton. It is the first homer hit by a Phillies pitcher in World Series play, coming from a guy who didn't swing a bat until he came over to Phils at the trade deadline from the A.L.'s A's.

Forget to tell you, J.A. Happ made a trip to the Philadelphia Children's Hospital yesterday, delivering a Wii baseball game with teammate Kyle Kendrick. You can see a video of their visit at www.thenewsroom.com/details/330458.

When I look at the team rosters today, it's amazing to see four players from central Illinois in the mix. We know about J.A. Happ and Chad Durbin, born five years apart at St. Margaret's Hospital in Spring Valley. Teammate Jayson Werth is from Chatham outside of Springfield. In the Rays' dugout is Ben Zobrist of Eureka, an old rival of Happ's from the Tri-County Conference. Zobrist, who is starting in RF tonite. They played baseball and basketball against one another. Zobrist, whose father, Tom, is a pastor in his hometown, told me it's crazy to have that many guys from Illinois playing in the World Series together.

In fact, observing the rosters a little closer, what one town would you guess has produced the most World Series players this year. Not Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami or even New York. Would you believe Spring Valley, Ill.? How about that!

In case you're wondering, the team that won the third game of the Series over the years has gone on to win the championship 70 percent of the time. The Phillies need just nine more outs to also win Game 4.

Want to say hi to my daughters who are trying to stay up a little late to watch the Series tonite. I'll see you guys tomorrow!

*** Just had a nice visit with Jim and Sue Happ of Peru, the proud pitcher of Phillies pitcher J,A, They're having a great time following the Phillies march to the World Series championship. I can't imagine the feeling they must have. Seems like yesterday we were all watching J.A. playing at St. Bede Academy for John Bellino and now he's on the game's biggest stage. I believe the last time I got to see Mr. and Mrs. Happ was in 2001 at Bureau Valley High School when we awarded J.A, as the BCR Athlete of the Year. That pick has panned out pretty good, I'd say. I recall we caught a little grief over it at the time.

Bombs away for Jayson Werth and Ryan Howard. Phillies up 9-2. FOX is playing the Rocky theme music.

Werth, by the way, is a third generation of big league players in his family, His grandfather, Ducky, played for the Cardinals in the 60s, and his uncle, Dick, was a No, 1 draft pick of the Angels. His stepfather, Dennis Werth, a Mt. Pulaski native, also played for the Yankees in the 70s.

Game over! It's 11:39 p.m. Done about two hours earlier than last night. Phils win 10-2 to take a 3-1 Series lead. Fireworks light up the sky! I can't imagine how crazy this city will be tomorrow if the Phillies clinch their first World Series title since 1980. Maybe having singer Tim McGraw spread the ashes of his late father, Tug, 1980 Phillies bullpen ace, while throwing out the first pitch of Saturday's game is all the magic the Phillies needed.

I'm heading down the clubhouse to bid J.A. final best wishes. I'll be on the big bird in the morning and back in the office tomorrow afternoon. See everyone back home!

Game 1, Saturday

Chad Durbin, who was born in Spring Valley, takes the mound at Citizens Bank Park in relief of Jamie Moyer in the seventh inning. Durbin is the first Illinois Valley native to pitch in the World Series since Russ "Monk" Meyer pitched for these same Phillies in the 1950 Fall Classic.

Moyer, by the way, tipped his cap to the home plate umpire on the way to let him know he called a good game behind the plate.

* * *

The Phils just hit back-to-back jacks by Cole Utley and Ryan Howard to take a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. In case you're wondering, there has never been three straight homers in World Series action.

Tonight's first pitch was thrown at 10:06 p.m. by 45-year-old Jamie Moyer, a delay of 91 minutes, resulting in the latest start on record in World Series history.

The clock just struck midnight Philly time and we've still got a lot of baseball left. J.A, Happ has not pitched and likely won't. Chad Durbin could be a part of the Bridge to Lidge bullpen connection as the Phillies look to nail down a 2-1 Series edge. In fact, Durbin is up in the pen right now!

I gotta tell you, looking over a field of players in red and white, fans dressed in red and white and waving white rally towels frantically and watching baseball in October, I can't help to think I'm back at Busch Stadium for the World Series in St. Louis. The Philly fans are loud!

* * *

Welcome from the World Series. I'm not feeling much Brotherly Love about now. It's been raining ever since I arrived in Philadelpha this afternoon. As you've been tuning into FOX Sports for the first pitch of Game 3 of the Series you'll see we're still in a rain delay. I understand they're going to wait until 9:30 p.m. local time here and 8:30 back home.

Just 24 hours ago, I was standing in the rain at Bryant Field in Princeton and the night before covering a rainy soccer game in Hinckley. I'm beginning to think it's me.

The Phillies got out to the field for some throwing before the heavy rains hit. As they do each night, local boys J.A. Happ and Chad Durbin, play a game of catch together. Durbin has taken the rookie Happ under his wing this season. Both tell me they are enjoying the World Series experience, but imagine the magnitude of the moment will sink in at a later time.

J.A. tells me he has 14 friends and family members here, including his parents, Jim and Sue Happ, of Peru. No doubt they are proud parents.

I also got to visit with their teammate Chris Coste for another assigment I'm working on here. He just recently published a book entitled the 33-year-old rookie, chronicling his long road to the big leagues.

With the rain delay, all the media types are crowded together in the press areas and I'm running into all the big guys from ESPN and FOX. I also cross paths with legendary Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas, but didn't get to hear his famous voice. There was a press conference a while ago to announce Albert Pujols as the 2008 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award. The Redbirds slugger is here along with Clemente's widow and two sons.

I'm hoping to hear the magical words of Play Ball soon! Stay tuned and enjoy the game if we do play.

Welcome back. They just made an announcement in the pressbox that the first pitch will be a 10 o'clock, 18 minutes from now. We'll be playing ball well past midnight local time. Enjoy the game everyone!