ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Philadelphia Phillies did their best to tune out the Tampa Bay Rays’ cowbell-clanging fans in Game 1 of the World Series.
“It’s loud. I don’t think it was annoying,” Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer said after the Phillies’ 3-2 victory Wednesday night.
Moyer did say there’s an “exciting” feeling in the ballpark for Tampa Bay’s first-ever World Series home game.
The cowbell became a staple of Tampa Bay home games due to a Saturday Night Live skid calling for “more cowbells” that was popular in the home of Tampa Bay principal owner Stuart Sternberg.
Chase Utley did find a way to quiet the cowbells for a brief period by putting the Phillies ahead 2-0 with a first-inning homer.
“I can’t think of any other way to quiet them down,” Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said. “That’s how you do it. If you want to take the wind out of the sails and shut the cowbells down, get some home runs.”
Ball prep: Todd Negoshian sat behind a table stacked with boxes of baseballs six hours before Game 1 of the World Series.
During a 45-minute stretch Wednesday, the umpires’ room attendant applied mud from the Delaware River mixed with water on eight dozen brand new balls that would be used during the first World Series game at Tropicana Field.
“You take care one at a time,” Negoshian said. “Treat each one as an individual, and you put them back together and they’re on the playing field as a team.”
The mud is applied to take the shine off the new balls, and can also help pitchers get a better grip.
The muck is a special brand — Lena Blackburne Rubbing Mud, taken from along the river and used to prepare major league balls for more than 60 years. The company that ships the stuff won’t reveal the secret location it comes from or any special ingredients that might be added to the mix. It’s been that way since it was discovered by Blackburne, a former coach for the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1930s.
Negoshian said “it’s a neat feeling” that one of the balls could become involved in a memorable play or bring a smile to a fan as a foul ball.
During the game, he will prepare another two-to-four dozen balls for game action.
Many fans find the process interesting. Even members of The Backstreet Boys, who had just completed practicing the national anthem, stopped by to put mud on a ball.
This World Series also is a father-son affair for Negoshian, who is employed by the Rays. His dad, Dave Huppert, is the manager of Philadelphia’s Class AAA team, and on the Phillies’ support staff for the World Series.
There is family disagreement on which team will prevail.
“It’s the Phillies,” Huppert said.
Negoshian countered with: “The Rays.”
Philly drought: Philadelphia’s four major pro sports teams have gone a combined 98 full seasons since winning a major championship.
The last Philadelphia champion was the NBA’s 76ers in 1983.
“We owe it to ourselves, but I kind of feel like I owe it to the city,” Phillies Game 2 starter Brett Myers said. “It would be huge for the city, for that city especially because it is so long since they’ve had a championship. Some cities got spoiled over it, and they quit coming to games. Our fans are there for us. We’re going to try to bring it home for them.”
Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel agreed.
“I definitely feel that way,” he said. “I feel like they’re a part of it. They come out to the ballpark. I think that our personalities and our attitude when we play definitely helps brings fans to our ballpark.”
The Phillies won their only World Series title in 1980.
Lineup surprise: Rays manager Joe Maddon had one major surprise in his lineup for Game 1, starting Ben Zobrist in right field, batting eighth.
Maddon liked the matchup of Zobrist and Willy Aybar, who was the DH, against Philadelphia left-hander Cole Hamels.
Zobrist made just one regular-season start in right, playing six innings on May 28 against Texas. He also played a few innings during a spring training game against the Phillies.
Maddon recently told Zobrist to be prepared.
“Just be ready to go in. That was it,” Zobrist said. “I was hoping to see my name in the lineup today and I got my wish.”
The first thing Zobrist did when walked into the clubhouse and saw his name in the lineup was to text his wife.
“Hey, I’m starting” was his message.
No mixed feelings: Phillies professional scouting director Chuck LaMar helped build the AL champion Rays during his tenure as Tampa Bay general manager from 1995-2005.
Many of this season’s key players — Carl Crawford and Game 2 starter James Shields — were developed over that period. Still, LaMar is 100 percent behind his new team in the World Series.
“I’m for the Philadelphia Phillies,” LaMar said. “I was blessed for 10 years here (with Tampa Bay). The Phillies organization gave the me opportunity to come aboard. It’s one of the finest organizations in baseball.”
LaMar has high regard for the new Rays’ ownership group and baseball operations officials, including manager Joe Maddon and executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman.
“They are going to get all the accolades they deserve this offseason,” LaMar said. “It’s one thing to sign a group of young players. It’s one thing to start an organization from scratch. It’s another thing to get a team to World Series.”
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