For The Associated Press
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -Phillies pitcher Ryan Madson understands how excited Philadelphia fans got about the NL pennant, and realizes they’re eager for more.
In the meantime, the Phillies reliever had a message for them: Stay patient, at least until Game 1 Wednesday night against Tampa Bay.
“We’re more anxious than they are, I’m sure,” Madson said Tuesday.
Cole Hamels, who will start the opener for the Phils, is fully in tune with their mind-set.
“Giving the attention that has come through the playoff games I think shows what a Philadelphia fan is all about,” Hamels said. “They are hardcore and they’re definitely appreciative. They’re definitely a fan you want to win for.”
History has not been kind to the Phillies. The franchise, which played its first game in 1883, won its only World Series championship in 1980.
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Series, says the Rays have produced his most unexpected October trip.
“I’ve got calls from all over the country. Hearing from everybody. … How can this happen? I said one thing, ‘I didn’t get any hits.’ It’s been crazy,” Zimmer said during Tuesday’s workout at Tropicana Field.
Tampa Bay is the second major league baseball team to reach the postseason after having the worst record in the majors the year before. The other was the 1991 NL champion Atlanta Braves.
“Who expected it?” Zimmer said. “Anybody that did to me would be telling a fib. But I think this club finally made a believer out of a lot of baseball people. Sit in the living room and think: The Rays beating the Yankees, the Red Sox, Toronto, the White Sox. It’s unbelievable. Sometimes you don’t even know how to explain it.”
Zimmer has won six World Series rings as a player and coach. He hopes he’ll have to stop wearing one of his old rings and put a new one in its place.
“I’ll make room,” he said.
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CHARLIE-SPEAK vs. STENGELESE: Before there was Charlie-Speak, there was Stengelese.
e baseball man, no matter how he sounds.
Hall of Fame manager Casey Stengel wasn’t exactly a master of the English language, either. But Stengel gained a reputation as a sharp tactician and captured the attention of listeners with his rambling monologues on any baseball topic.
Dallas Green, who managed the Phillies to their only World Series title in 1980, was around Stengel during his playing days in the 1960s. Green gets to see Manuel regularly in his current role as special adviser to general manager Pat Gillick.
Green had a tougher time understanding Stengel.
“You had to listen hard and long about what he said,” Green said. “Some of the things he said, you’d scratch your head. But when it came to running a baseball team and getting the best out of his players, he was darn good.”
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MEN IN BLUE: Tim Welke will be the umpire crew chief for the World Series, and he will be joined by Tim Tschida, Jeff Kellogg, Tom Hallion, Kerwin Danley and Fieldin Culbreth.
Welke worked the World Series in 1996, 2000 and 2003. Kellogg and Tschida have umpired at two World Series, and the other three are making their debuts.
All six worked during the first round of the playoffs.
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residential candidate has taken notice of the first overall pick in the 2007 amateur draft.
Less than 12 hours after a four-out save early Monday in Tampa Bay’s Game 7 AL championship series victory over the Boston Red Sox, Price helped introduce Democratic Party nominee Barack Obama at a Steinbrenner Field rally in nearby Tampa.
Price struck out J.D. Drew with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth inning in Game 7. He wasn’t exactly calm when it came to speaking to the Obama supporters.
“Public speaking is tough. It’s my enemy,” Price said. “I’d rather come in with a 3-0 count, bases loaded in a tie game on the road.”
Price had the chance to spend time with Obama, and found that it’s not all politics, all the time for the Illinois senator.
“He goes home and looks forward to watching sports,” Price said.
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oston (1915), the Yankees (1950), Baltimore (1983) and Toronto (1993). … Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols and Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton were selected outstanding players in their leagues in the Players Choice Awards. The honors were announced by the players’ association after a vote by their peers – major leaguers voted on the awards in September. Cleveland’s Cliff Lee and San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum were chosen the top pitchers. Each winner will recommend a charity to get a grant from the Major League Baseball Players Trust.
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