World Series notebook: Greg Dobbs misses game with flu

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Published: October 30, 2009

Phillies utility man Greg Dobbs returned to Philadelphia before Game 2 of the World Series on Thursday because he has the flu.

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Dobbs, who played at the University of Oklahoma, was a candidate to be the designated hitter against Yankees right-hander A.J. Burnett in Thursday night’s game, but Matt Stairs got the nod in his absence.

Dobbs is 0-for-4 in the postseason. The infielder/outfielder hit .247 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 154 at-bats this season.

Jeter wins Clemente Award

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter won the Roberto Clemente Award, which was presented before the start of Game 2. The award is given annually to a major league player who combines community service with excellence on the field.

Jeter was honored for his work with his Turn 2 Foundation, which supports programs that help young people recover from drug use to a healthier lifestyle. He hit .334 this season.

Standing next to Clemente’s widow, Vera, Jeter said he was "well aware of what (Clemente had) done not only on the field but in the community. … He makes everyone want to give back.”

Ratings up

The Phillies’ 6-1 win in Game 1 on Wednesday earned an 11.9 fast national television rating and 19 share. That’s up 29 percent from the opener last year, when the Phillies-Rays series drew record-low ratings.

Musical interlude

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys fired up the Yankee Stadium crowd before Game 2, performing a clean version of "Empire State of Mind” from the rapper’s hit album.

The two New Yorkers were originally scheduled to perform Wednesday night, but were pushed back because of rainy weather. There was some concern about some of the song’s raw language, but Jay-Z kept it PG for the nationally televised performance.

The rap king — wearing a Yankees hat and jacket — and Keys got a loud ovation when they walked through an opening in the outfield wall in left-center to the stage behind second base. Keys, in a black and hot purple outfit, played keyboard before joining Jay-Z in the center of the stage for the end of the song.