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Moyer Shows He Still Has The Right Stuff

By JENNA MARINA

Tribune Correspondent

Published: October 26, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - It had been two weeks since Jamie Moyer gave up six runs in an NLCS loss to the Dodgers. It had been more than three weeks since he lasted just four innings in a loss to the Brewers.

But the Phillies' elder statesman showed why he's still on the mound at age 45 on Saturday night: 96 pitches, 64 strikes. He's still got the stuff. Not fast stuff, mind you. Crafty, veteran stuff.

"My biggest goal of the last two weeks was to try to put those outings that I had previously, behind me and tonight was a new game," he said.

Mission accomplished.

Moyer struck out five, walked one and allowed five hits in 6.1 innings in Philadelphia's 5-4 win to the Rays in Game 3 in his first-ever World Series. It was a milestone Moyer has waited to experience since he starting playing the game at the age of 8.

"I didn't know what expectations to really look for. I think it exceeded every expectation or every thought or every dream that I had," he said as two of his sons – undoubtedly awake past their bedtime – looked on.

Moyer said the 91-minute rain delay did not affect his pitching at all. In fact, he felt he was able to get into a steady tempo in the bullpen, and the crowd only bolstered his performance once the game was finally underway.

"It was very uplifting to walk across the field, even through the puddles, and to hear the excitement of the fans," he said. "I try not to get caught up in it, but I do hear it."

When Philadelphia relieved him, the Phillies held a 4-2 lead. Moyer retreated to the clubhouse for the remainder of the game and could only hope his team would knock out a win as the Rays rallied.

"I was pulling for those guys just like I would on the bench," he said. "Everything worked out in our favor. … When Chooch (Ruiz) hit that ball, I think I went from my seat to the ceiling. I was excited."

After 37 years of ball, he should be.

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