Originally published October 30, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified October 30, 2008 at 10:27 AM

After 22 seasons Jamie Moyer gets championship

The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA — After 22 major league seasons and thousands of floating "fastballs," Jamie Moyer is a World Series champion.

"My whole career, it's been worth it. Worth it for this moment. To wait and finally get this win, it's so worth everything," a teary-eyed Moyer said Wednesday night after his Philadelphia Phillies beat Tampa Bay 4-3 in a suspended Game 5.

It was the club's second title in 126 seasons, but Moyer's first in the majors. And how sweet it was for a 45-year-old pitcher who grew up a Phillies fan in nearby Souderton and ditched school to attend the 1980 championship parade.

The soft-tossing Moyer pitched well in Game 3 but wound up with a no-decision in his World Series debut. He cried on the field after the clincher, and teammates chased him through the clubhouse to soak him in champagne.

"My heart was racing," Moyer said. "I don't know if we really believe it yet. I do know that we won this game. I know we're the World Series winner."

After the game, Moyer went to the mound with teammates and dug up the pitching rubber. Asked if he was ready for another jubilant parade down Broad Street, he said: "You bet."

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