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Moyer pitched despite severe stomach virus
Moyer, the Phillies' 45-year-old left-hander, first began feeling ill at the start of the World Series in St. Petersburg, Fla.
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On Friday night, the eve of his first-ever Series start, his stomach virus became even more severe.
Not only was Moyer suffering from diarrhea, but he also was sweating profusely.
Somehow, he rebounded to pitch 6 1/3 brilliant innings in the Phillies' 5-4 victory in Game 3 of the Series.
"It was so bad I had to change the sheets twice," Karen said. "He ruined two pillows. Our comforter is at the cleaners right now.
"I kept saying, 'Should we be calling the team? Should you maybe not be pitching? I don't know. It's only the game of your life."
Yes it was, and Karen said there was "never a doubt" that her husband would take the mound.
Jamie said the same thing when I asked him afterward if he considered missing the start.
"Are you kidding me?" he said.
Moyer, though, conceded, "I wasn't feeling real good. It was some sort of virus. I'm not feeling good now, either."
And still, he produced the highlight of his career.
Moyer made his debut with the Cubs in 1986, finally became successful in his mid-30s and on Saturday night became the second-oldest player to appear in the Series.
"After 22 years and a rain delay, he had waited a long time for this," Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee joked, referring to the delay of 1 hour and 31 minutes at the start of the game.
Moyer first told his wife he was not feeling well after Friday's workout. Dubee said the pitcher had been "a little down in the dumps" for two or three days.
When the family went out to dinner Friday night, Moyer ate only plain chicken and mashed potatoes. He spent the rest of the evening in the bathroom or in bed.
Karen said she gave him Ibuprofen and hourly doses of Pepto-Bismol. Jamie said that he also began taking Immodium after he arrived at Citizens Bank Park.
Watching Moyer pitch, no one would have guessed that he was ill.
"It was a distraction," Karen said, shrugging. "He always does well with a distraction."
Moyer had a 4-1 lead when he hustled for Carl Crawford's bunt leading off the seventh inning, then made a backhand flip to first baseman Ryan Howard with his glove. First-base umpire Tom Hallion mistakenly called Crawford safe, and the Rays rallied for two runs, one after Moyer left the game.
The Rays rallied to tie the score an inning later, but the Phillies won it in a bizarre ninth on Carlos Ruiz's infield single.
"When 'Chooch' hit that ball, I went from my seat to the ceiling," Moyer said, referring to Ruiz by his nickname.
Moyer didn't get the win, but the fans at Citizens Bank Park gave him a standing ovation when he departed, and they were chanting his name as I interviewed him for FOX after the game ended at 1:47 a.m. ET.
The Moyers' second-oldest son, Hutton, 15, thinks his father's performance should be the stuff of legend.
Karen said that Hutton had the best line of anyone about Jamie's plight. I sort of cringed when I heard it, but Karen thought it suitable for print and far be it from me to question the judgment of a mother of six.
"Know how the bloody sock went to the Hall of Fame?" Hutton said. "Our toilet seat should go to the Hall of Fame."
Member Comments
lets talk about gm3 for a sec. who loads the bases and brings 5 guys on the infield? A Stupid manager (Thank God im not a Rays fan) but if I were on the bandwagon i'd be purdy bummed lol but im not lol. From a Red Sox Fan I applaud Moyer for havin a very Curt Schilling Performance. so kinda go phils
Mr_October0410/27/2008 9:22:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
where u at rays fans come on ....eva longoria is really great and so is pena b low j ob upton really is on fire as well...the fish are dead and its starting to stink up this joint...GO PHILLIES....WS CHAMPIONS HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHa RAYs SUCK....so does Joe Buck i hear hes wiping off his mouth after doing an "Interview with the rays players"
dmacnasty10/27/2008 8:48:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I'm a long time Phillies fan and have great respect for Moyer.<br /><br />But Ken, I don't give a crap about his diarrhea. <br /><br />There's a lot of good stories to write about. Why would you write about Moyer's arse? Are u trying to kiss some Philly butt?
agent8810/27/2008 6:14:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
So Mr "genius" Rosenthal, the phillies aren't that good right? Well, yet agian you complete lack of baseball knowledge shines through. How do those Rays look now? I am so glad that you completely blew this series liek all of the rest. There should be an ad for a position at Fox Sports on tuesday for a "Baseball Expert" position. Well done!
floppednuts10/27/2008 5:52:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Howard finally woke up. Werth didn't screw up on the bases. It was a good win. So what if the Ump miss the call on Rollins. Now it's even after the miss call on Crawford in game 3. Outstanding play by Moyer to Howard even though the Ump screwed the call up. <br /> Now it's time to wrap this thing up. With Hamels pitching on Monday, it's going to happen. After that resign Moyer. We can use him next season.
rautins10/26/2008 22:57:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Can't wait for the Phillies to win tomorrow night, just so I can wipe that smug little smile off of Ken Rosenthal's mouth. The Rays will complete their mission, huh? WRONG!!
droogy5910/26/2008 22:48:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Phee, Phi, Phoe, Phum, who dares to disturb the sleep of the gentle giant???? Did he put it to those Rays or what?? Knew it was just a matter of time until he woke up. Rays you woke up the BEAST. There is a reason why he has led the majors in HR's in RBI's the last 4 years. Rays you are in deep trouble now. Outpitched and out hit again, plain and simple!!! What happened to your superior pitching staff and our supposed swiss cheese staff after Cole?? What a joke! As far as everyone picking on Howard while he was slumping and about how silly he was looking, wow what about Eva??? Big slugger???? If Howard has looked silly at times what does Eva look like? Might be over tomorrow Rays! One more baby lets wrap this up tomorrow Cole! We Dont want to go back to Cow bell land. One more baby!!!Go Phils!
fightinphils0810/26/2008 21:06:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
WOW WHAT A BUTT KICKING. ANYONE KNOW IF THE RAYS ARE GOING BACK TO TAMPA TONIGHT OR NOT? HAMELS TOMORROW! LET'S PARTY
carmanhere10/26/2008 20:29:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
8-2 WOW WHAT AN ASS KICKING. BUT THEN THEY LIKE IT
carmanhere10/26/2008 20:21:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
GOOD NIGHT,,,,,,,GAME OVER/ SERIES OVER
carmanhere10/26/2008 20:20:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Man are you a sore loser. Don't cry. There is always next year. That's what we always said. So now it's your turn. Wait till next year. Besides, I thought little boys should be in bed by now. I'm going to tell your Mommy on you. Now go to bed and read the paper, you can read can't you? Then see what the score was. Want to come to the parade? The Rays aren't haven't one so I guess I could invite you to ours. And by the way,I was not talking about the national anthem. I talking about tomorrow, when the Phils win and THE FAT LADT SINGS. YOU KNOW THAT. IS THAT YOUR MOMMIE OR YOUR WIFE, THE FAT LADY THAT IS? NOW GO TO BED LITTLE BOY, IT'S AFTER 11
carmanhere10/26/2008 20:17:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Hey carmanhere, thats THE worst renadition of the anthem anyone has heard this side of 2000. Philly may win tomorrow night, but the team win will only be remembered by philly fans, and thank him up stairs for phat manual pocketing the umps, you know it airhead, philly phans know it, and baseball knows it, so little buckwheet, go and chew on ya corn stick, look forward to the next 20 years without nothing.<br /> Never been to philly, don't ever need to go there, but i know the best site in philly is in the rear view mirror leaving town. Take heart buckwheet, the only reason your team is in the ws, is because philly would'nt stand a hope of getting anywhere in the AL east division, make the most of the given win for the next year.
Biggeezer10/26/2008 20:03:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
HEY BIGGEEZER. WHERE YOU BEEN? I GUESS YOU MISSED THE 4 CALLS THE RAYS GOT YESTERDAY. DON'T CRY. THE BETTER TEAM WINS. THES SERIES IS OVER TOMORROW.
carmanhere10/26/2008 19:47:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Ron Howard is so dam big, he covers three zip codes, and both sides of his family. It was once said that blanton picked up a nickle in a parking lot, and caused an eclipes of the sun in africa.
Biggeezer10/26/2008 19:44:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I've seen some posts about the Nationa Anthem from tonight. Did anyone see the one that the dudes did in Tampa before game 1? I thought it was utterly rediculous and those dudes are washed up. It was terrible. I don't mind someone singing a little off ket or missing an occasional note, but please leave the song alone and don't try to add extra measures.
stradia10/26/2008 19:43:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Anyone watching this game tonight can plainly see it's been rigged beyond all proportion, Rollins WAS out between 3rd and home, ump was 3 feet away, and accepted his bribe gracefully, does'nt matter where blanton pitches, inside, outside up or down, plate ump gives it strike.<br /> If you have to cheat to give a second rate city a trophy, thats ok, but don't make it blatantly obvious, take the win, take the trophy, good luck to your team, but what went down will be remembered, and THAT won't be the teams win.
Biggeezer10/26/2008 19:38:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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