Former Indians advance to World Series
After Philadelphia OF Shane Victorino tied the score in game four with a two-run eighth inning long ball , Stairs drove in the eventual game winning runs with a pinch-hit two-run shot in just his second postseason at-bat of 2008. With momentum on their side, the Phillies went on to wrap up the National League Pennant just two days later.
Stairs, who played with the Tribe in 1992, is joined on the NL Champion Phillies by other four other former Indians, including backup catcher Chris Coste as well as pitching coach Rich Dubee, bench coach Jimy Williams and third base coach Steve Smith.
Coste, who recorded a base-hit in his only NLCS action in game three, turned in a team-best .296 batting average along with 26 RBI in 78 games for Indianapolis in 2004.
Philadelphia third base coach Steve Smith hopes for a World Series Championship to go along with the International League and Triple-A World Series Crown that he collected when he managed the Indians to a 81-63 record and first place finish in the 2000 season.
Smith is joined on the Phillies coaching staff by pitching coach Rich Dubee, who was a coach on Pat Kelly's Indians squad that finished 83-61 in 1992, as well as bench coach Jimy Williams, who played shortstop for the Tribe back in 1968.
Overall, five former Indians advance onto to the World Series and hope to lead their team to postseason glory on baseball's ultimate stage.
Six other former Indians hope to join the Phillies in the World Series as they continue to play in American League Championship Series.
The AL East Champion Tampa Rays feature backup catcher Michel Hernandez, who played in 76 games for the Tribe this past season before making the jump to Tampa Bay just in time to qualify for the playoff roster. Hernandez is joined on the Rays by Third Base Coach Tom Foley, who played shortstop for the Tribe in 1981-82 and Senior Baseball Advisor Don Zimmer, who managed the Indians in 1968.
The defending World Series Champion and 2008 Wild Card winning Red Sox also feature three former Indians as part of their post season roster. Along with bench coach Brad Mills, who played in Indianapolis in 1984, Boston features "The Mayor" Sean Casey, who was part of the 1998 Indians squad as well as backup catcher David Ross, who was a member of the Tribe in 2005.
The Indians open the 2009 season on Thursday, April 9 at Victory Field against their division rivals the Toledo Mud Hens. Season tickets are available by calling the Victory Field Box at 317-269-3545 or by clicking here.