Moyer And Stairs Finally Get Their Dues
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Fri, October 17, 2008 04:37 PM | Comments: 10
Posts
85 years. 38 seasons. One World Series appearance.
That’s the story of Jamie Moyer and Matt Stairs, the two elder-statesmen Phillies, at 45 and 40.
Moyer’s story has been documented already today:
“You dream of this and it’s now here and it’s really hard to believe. I don’t know if it’s really sunk in yet. We’re here, we’re in the moment, we’re going to enjoy the moment.”
The 45-year-old lefty has spent years getting close to the big show. He pitched a game in the 2001 ALCS, and while he performed well, the Mariners lost the series to the Yankees.
Stairs, meanwhile, made his first league championship trip this season, and contributed tremendously to the cause, launching his first postseason home run to hand the Phils the game four victory.
Both have played wildly different roles with the Phils this season — Moyer as a rock rotation piece; Stairs as a wild-card late-season pickup — but both are tasting the sweetest of joys right now.
Posts: 0 Chuck
Stairs could become some kind of cult hero in this city. Even if the Phillies lose the Series (shudder the thought) he has a place in the history books of this great franchise. He is just the kind of guy that most of our fanbase can relate to and rally behind. I would love to see him here next season if it all works out.
Moyer is awesome as we all have seen. I am concerned about him, however, and wonder if he is possibly at the end of an amazing career. I hope he can really rise to the occasion in the WS (possibly being the guy to win Game 4). Wouldn’t it be something if he plays a dominant role and in that game Stairs does it again? How fitting it would be for the two old guys to lead that parade down Broad Street!!
Posted: 05:12 PM on October 17, 2008
Posts: 0 chase mutley
do we know if moyer is gonna get a start in the WS? or is a 3 man rotation?
Posted: 11:10 PM on October 17, 2008
Posts: 0 SJ Mike
I’d imagine if we end up playing Tampa, Moyer would definitely get a start. He thrives most against young, aggressive hitters.
I hope that our pitchers get some real bullpen work in over the weekend.
Posted: 11:34 PM on October 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Brooks
tim, et al – are there thoughts of a WS get together?
Perhaps a tailgating party for those of us who love to kibutz on this site and are able to make the games?
Give it some thought. I am going to the home games 1 & 2 (games 3 & 4).
I’m sure if you pick a location and spread the word, people will come with enough food and stuff to make it memorable as I’m sure the games will be.
Posted: 12:40 AM on October 18, 2008
Posts: 0 bigmyc
I think Jamie’d be alright in the Series…he’d probably fare better vs. the Rays, but I think that since neither team would be all that familiar with him, he’d be able to hold it down. Look, I don’t think you can win 16 games and just lose it in any given next start.
I don’t think the Rays will be able to hit anyone on this staff like they are popping Boston….the familiarity is just not there.
Posted: 09:21 AM on October 18, 2008
Posts: 0 rk
Brooks, I agree with you. I do not have tickets but have contemplated tailgating and taking the train back home in time for the game on Saturday. I cant think of a better way to celebrate then with the people who live and die by the Phils as I do.
Posted: 09:59 AM on October 18, 2008
Posts: 0 Craig
SJ Mike – Tampa tore apart Boston’s knuckle baller pitcher the other night. Wakefield? was delivering all sorts of off speed stuff and the Rays jumped all over him.
Sadly the Brewers and Dodgers have set the template for how to play Moyer.
Posted: 10:31 AM on October 18, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
I’m sure there might be a party/get-together. We’ll keep you updated.
I wouldn’t mind if Moyer gets a game two start in Tampa, if that happens.
Posted: 10:33 AM on October 18, 2008
Posts: 0 mikemike
As a born and raised philly guy. I really would love to see the phillies be up by a lot in clinching game say like 10-0 in seventh and let moyer pitch the ninth. I know lidge deserves it for his performance this year. But to have a kid from the area on the mound in a world series clincher would be awesome.
Posted: 11:46 AM on October 18, 2008
Posts: 0 Manny
Moyer should start Game 2 (away game) and Myers Game 3 in Philly!
Posted: 02:51 PM on October 18, 2008