St. Bede’s enjoying second Happ’s hour in World Series

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I can’t imagine what J.A. Happ is going through. Second year in the big leagues and second year in the World Series.

To top it off ... a World Series at Yankee Stadium. Wow!

There’s been many a star player never make the World Series, and here Happ and teammate Chad Durbin, born five years apart in Spring Valley, will have two under their belt.

St. Bede assistant principal Bernie Moore, whose son Josh was a classmate and good friends with Happ at St. Bede, is overjoyed to see Happ back in the Fall Classic and for all he’s been able accomplished in his brief career, thus far.

“Here’s this 27-year-old kid from St. Bede that’s been here twice, two years in a row. This is phenomenal. We’re all going to enjoy it. I’m sure J.A.’s on top of the world. We all wish him the best,” Moore said.

Though he didn’t make an appearance in last year’s Series, Moore looks for Phils manager Charlie Manuel to continue to use Happ in crucial situations out of the bullpen.

“I can see him out there in the bullpen against the Yankees, which is phenomenal,” he said. “Even in that last game against the Dodgers, first guy Charlie went to was J.A. That has to speak volumes to his confidence ... to put J.A. in.”

Happ, the former St. Bede Bruin, has two Rookie of the Year awards under his belt with the Sporting News last week and the Player’s Choice now Monday. I got a little mixed up in my article Tuesday, but they are two different awards.

That’s neat he got to donate $20,000 to the Diabetes Research Institute in his sister’s honor. She has been diagnosed with Stage 1 Diabetes.

I enjoyed his interview with ESPN’s Mike and Mike Monday morning when they announced his winning of the Player’s Choice. Much to my wife’s chagrin, I’m a big fan of Mike and Mike in the Morning.

Now he just needs the one award that counts the most — MLB’s official Rookie of the Year award as voted by the Baseball Writers of America.

I’m sure the Phillies were happy to not have to make the cross country trip, instead hopping on the Amtrak and takeing the 90-mile trip to the Big Apple instead. They spent Tuesday working out at Yankee Stadium and fielding questions from the media.

• Phillie Phanatics: You can tell the Phillies fans are phanatics about their Phillies by this article I saw posted by Philadelphia Daily News. Some fans, at least female fans, give the Phillies the edge over the Yankees because of their good looks.

One female fan said, “We have the best-looking team in baseball ... we look good on the field.”

She says, while they’re not as ugly as the Red Sox, and Alex Rodriguez aside, “the Yankees are pretty ugly.”

This Phillie phanatic especially adores Mr. Happ, saying, “I would pay money just to kiss him. He has the most gorgeous mouth I have ever seen.”

Wonder what J.A. would have to say about that.

• Oh say can you see: PHS grad Susan Nelson sang the national anthem at the United Center in Chicago before a recent Bulls’ preseason game. It’s her second appearance at the UC.

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