World Series notebook: Some clubhouse humor before Game 3

The Philadlephia Phillies’ Greg Dobbs left New York and returned to Philadelphia before Game 2 of the World Series because of flu.

The former University of Oklahoma player’s locker in the Phillies’ clubhouse at Citizens Bank Park was covered with a flattened cardboard box on Friday and taped over with yellow tape that read "Caution” and "Do Not Enter.”

A white sign was taped on it.

"Greg Dobbs update — Thomas Jefferson Hospital, room 906. Visiting for family and friends from 6-8 p.m. Be advised to wear a mask.”

That joke injected levity into a situation that is surely not enjoyable for Dobbs. The pinch-hitting specialist was not at the workout on Friday.

"I don’t know how he’s doing,” said general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. "I think he’s feeling better, I don’t know how much better.”

Amaro said that he was not yet considering replacing Dobbs on the roster but might if Dobbs misses another game. He also said that "maybe just one or two” players felt under the weather and "were getting checked out.”

One year to the day after riding in a championship parade made possible by his postseason pitching heroics, Cole Hamels starts Game 3 of the World Series, which is tied at 1 game apiece, tonight. If the Phillies are to enjoy another triumphant romp down Broad Street, Hamels needs to improve on his recent performances.

He might not have to be the dominant force he was when he recorded a 1.80 ERA in five starts last October. But he surely can’t be the punching bag he has been this October. Hamels is 1-1 in three starts this postseason. His ERA is 6.75. He has allowed 20 hits, including six homers, in 142/3 innings. Opponents have batted a whopping .328. Left-handed batters are hitting .600 (9-for-15) with a 1.267 slugging percentage.

Sooner or later some of the Yankees’ big bats are bound to break loose.

Mark Teixeira’s only hit in seven at-bats is a solo homer. A monster in the playoffs, Alex Rodriguez is 0-for-8 in his first World Series, also with six strikeouts.

"I feel pretty good. I mean, it’s only been eight at-bats, but I felt like I’ve had a lot of good swings,” Rodriguez said. "I fouled a couple of pitches off that I should have put in play.”

A-Rod was mostly an October bust before this year, but Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter insisted he’s not worried.

"No, the guy’s been killing the ball for three weeks,” Jeter said. "It’s kind of hard to sit here and overanalyze things. If pitchers make their pitches, they’re going to get you out.”

After tonight’s Game 3 start against the Phillies, only Whitey Ford will have started more World Series games for the Yankees than Andy Pettitte, who is tied with Waite Hoyt and Red Ruffing with 10 apiece.

"It is unbelievable,” Pettitte said. "A lot of guys are asking me, ‘How many is this?’ and stuff like that.

"I don’t even know what to say about it just that I feel very fortunate.”

Joe Blanton walked into Citizens Bank Park and got some news from manager Charlie Manuel. For the second straight year, he’s starting Game 4 of the World Series for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Manuel decided Game 1 winner Cliff Lee will pitch Game 5 on a full four days’ rest Monday. If he pitched on Sunday, Lee would have been starting on short rest for the first time during his major league career.

"I think you’re taking a chance on really pushing him,” Manuel said. "Definitely we don’t want to hurt him.”

After Blanton and Lee, it will be Pedro Martinez in Game 6 and Hamels in Game 7, with Lee available in the bullpen on short rest.

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