Illinois Valley natives back in the World Series
By Kevin Hieronymus
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khieronymus@bcrnews.com
PHILADELPHIA — The 2009 World Series will be a meeting between the City of Brotherly Love and the Big Apple. For J.A. Happ, Chad Durbin and the Philadelphia Phillies it means a return to the Fall Classic.
Durbin and Happ joined the Phillies just in time to get in on the World Series Express. Durbin signed as a free agent pitcher prior to the 2008 season, coming over from the Tigers in the American League. Happ came up to stay from the minor leagues late in the 2008 season.
A year ago, they became the first Illinois Valley natives to take part in the World Series since Peru/Oglesby great Russ “Monk” Meyer pitched for the Phillies’ Whiz Kids in 1950. Oglesby native Sunny Jim Bottomely played in four World Series with the Cardinals’ Gashouse Gang from 1922-32.
Durbin (32) grew up in LaSalle, moving to Baton Rouge, La., as a teenager and became an all-state shortstop. He broke into the big leagues with the Kansas City Royals in 1999 at age 22.
Happ, who just turned 27 Oct. 19, was a Cubs fan growing up in Peru and attended St. Bede Academy where he was named as the BCR’s 2001 Athlete of the year. He pitched three years at Northwestern University, drafted by the Phillies in 2004.
Both Phillies pitcher having been grabbing headlines of late and making national appearances on ESPN TV or radio.
Happ, the Phillies’ Minor League Pitcher of the year in 2008, was named last week by the Sporting News’ as this year’s Rookie of the Year in the National League. He appeared on ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike Show Monday morning with hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic. He especially hit it off with Greenberg, a fellow Northwestern alumnus.
He told Mike and Mike he’d been giving it much thought about getting back to the World Series and the possibility of facing the Yankees.
“I knew I was fortunate to be on a good baseball team. I hoped all long we’d get this possibility. I like the way we’ve been playing,” he said. “Obviously, we found out last night it’d be against the Yankees. I think that’s going to just a great opportunity and great atmosphere for sure.”
He recalled his previous experience at Yankee Stadium when he made his first start of the season.
“It was intense. That was my first start from the bullpen. I remember it being a lot of fun, It was a battlet, that’s for sure,” he said. “I think we know what we’re up against. I think these games are going to be really good.”
For winning the Player’s Choice Rookie Award, Happ was able to donate $20,000 to the charity of his choice, the Diabetes Research Institute. He said he has a sister who has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
“We’re very hopeful we can come up with a cure,” Happ said.
The former St. Bede Bruin was also the answer to ESPN’s daily PostSeason Trivia question that asked “which Phillies rookie emerged out of the bullpen in May to become one of the Phillies’ top starting pitchers?”
Durbin also had some good airtime on ESPN’s First Take TV show Friday morning, a call-in guest to the show. He was asked about the difference between his struggles during the regular season and dominating pitching down the stretch and postseason.
Durbin, who had a 10.13 ERA in the month of August and 1.98 in September and October, said it was all about being healthy again. He went on the disabled list at the end of July and had to work his way back into shape in August.
The Phillies’ 32-year-old reliever continues to be lights out in the postseason with a 0.00 ERA in five appearances, including four in the NLCS. He was the winning pitcher in the Phillies’ Game 5 clincher, taking over for Happ in the fifth inning. He pitched out of bases-loaded jam by retiring Dodgers Manny Ramirez with a fastball in on his hands.
Perhaps the Phillies’ most consistent starter since he was moved to the rotation in May, Happ has been used out of the bullpen for most of the postseason. Manager Charlie Manuel announced he will continue to use Happ in that role for the Series.
Happ, who suited up for, but did not appear in last year’s Series, made an abbreviated start against the Rockies in the NLDS. He earned a hold in Game 1 of the NLCS in relief, but issued a bases-loaded walk to Jim Thome to force in the go-ahead run in Game 4.
The Phillies will start Cliff Lee in Wednesday’s Series opener at Yankee Stadium and come back with either Pedro Martinez or Cole Hamels for Game 3.
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