KYW Newsradio Team Coverage
Game two of the National League Championship Series features Phillies right-hander Brett Myers against Dodgers righty Chad Billingsley.
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The Phils lead the best-of-seven series one game to none.
Charlie Manuel is managing the Fightins, despite the death of his mother.
June Manuel died Friday morning at Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Virginia after a brief illness. She was 87.
The Phillies had no immediate information about the cause of death.
Manuel found out Friday morning after a meeting with his staff.
Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez, whom Manuel managed in Cleveland, was among the players and coaches who stopped to offer condolences. Dodgers manager Joe Torre (right, with Manuel) put a hand on Manuel's shoulder as the two chatted, and former Phillies closer Mitch Williams also dropped by behind the cage.
Manuel shook some hands as he walked into the dugout after batting practice, but did not take questions.
June Manuel lived in still lived in Buena Vista, Va., where the Phillies manager was raised. She is survived by 10 children. Funeral arrangements were pending.
As KYW's Mike DeNardo reports, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Citizens Bank Park was Jim Eisenreich, a member of the 1993 Phillies -- the last group to make it this far in the post-season.
He remembers his teammates fondly:
"I was talking to Milt Thompson -- we were kind of considered the guys that were a little bit sane, and everybody else was kind of wacko. But at the same time, the wacko guys, they were my best friends."
Eisenreich says the 2008 Phillies have more talent than his team did. And he says, as with his team, every game it seems a different player comes through in a clutch situation:
"It's exciting. I think after last year, everyone was excited to have them back in the post-season. It was disappointing that we didn't go any further, but this is different, and it's fun.
Citizens Bank Park was rocking on Thursday night as the Phils scored a come-from-behind win over the Dodgers in game one of the National League championship series (see full game report).
Phillies fans cranked up the volume in the sixth inning, when Chase Utley and Pat Burrell homered to give the Phils a 3-2 lead:
"No doubt, Philadelphia, man. We're going to win it -- I don't want to say we're going to sweep, but we're going to beat 'em."
"So many different personalities on this team, so many different people, if it's not Utley, it's going to be Howard, Victorino, Pedro, who knows? It could be anybody. Even Cole's getting hits. Myers is getting on base. Everybody's doing it!"
So, is THIS the team that breaks Philadelphia's 25-year championship drought?
These Philadelphia fans say they know better than to be overconfident. But they're feeling good for now, with a win under their belt.
KYW's Hadas Kuznits reports outside the ballpark, it's like the partying never stops.
Fans packed the pre-game tailgate, sampling eats from the playoff grill and listening to tunes, while kids took their turns running through an obstacle course and on a mechanical bull.
Phillies apparel, of course, was the name of the game. Some folks were wearing throwback shirts -- but there was nothing but "boos" for those not donning Phillies red.
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