Tonight Jamie Moyer is scheduled to start Game 3 of the World Series against the young and talented Tampa Bay Rays. The soon-to-be 46 year-old left-hander is ancient enough to be the father of some of his opponents. It amazes me that he is still pitching in the big leagues and he is a starting pitcher at that. I see some parallels between the Phillies' Moyer and former Philadelphia Athletics' pitcher Jack Quinn, who appeared in both the 1929 and 1930 World Series. Quinn was a 46 year-old pitcher who started a game for the A's in the 1929 World Series. That was the famous "Comeback Game" in which the A's scored ten runs in one inning after trailing 8 - 0 for most of the game. Jack Quinn also appeared in the 1930 World Series for Connie Mack's team, pitching two innings of relief in a game.

  Jamie Moyer has been a post-season flop so far for Philadelphia, getting beaten by the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers in his two starts. Jamie Moyer considers this start to be the biggest one in his long and interesting career. Can he come up with the kind of pinpoint control and tenacity that he had so many times during the regular season? Or has Jamie emptied the well already? Is it finally time for him to retire and become a pitching coach or manager?

  I want to be optimistic and say that Jamie can regain his magic touch against the Rays. He has a world of experience and his knowledge of the game is unsurpassed. And I would feel good if one of us "older guys" could be a World Series hero....

  I wish Jamie and the Phils all the best in Game 3. I also think it would be prudent for Charlie Manual to have rookie left-hander J. A. Happ ready for long relief though just in case the Rays are able to solve Moyer's assortment of slow pitches, changes of speed & location, and guile. Here's hoping there's still some magic left!