LAKEWOOD, NJ - The Phillies, the parent club of the BlueClaws, won their second straight National League pennant on Wednesday night with five former BlueClaws on their roster. In the process, they became the first team in 13 years to win consecutive NL titles.Ryan Howard (2002) was the MVP of the NLCS, which the Phillies won in five games over the Dodgers earning the chance to defend their World Series title against either the Yankees or the Angels. Cole Hamels (2003), Carlos Ruiz (2001), JA Happ (2005) and Antonio Bastardo (2007) were also on the Phillies NLCS active roster.
"It's real special for us here in Lakewood when the Phillies are able to do so well," said BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown. "It's all the better when they have so much success with the help of guys who our fans got to see as BlueClaws."
Howard had eight RBIs in the five NLCS games while hitting .333. The first baseman spent 2002 with Lakewood and rehabbed at FirstEnergy Park in 2007, when he drove in four runs to tie the franchise RBI record with 91.
"It's definitely something special," Howard said. "To be able to go out there and just contribute, try to do my job to the best of my ability and to get recognized for it right now, it's something special."
Hamels was the starting pitcher in game five and the winning pitcher in game one of the NLCS. He spent 2003 with the BlueClaws and had an ERA of just 0.74.
Ruiz hit a three-run home run in game one of the NLCS. He was on the first BlueClaws team (2001).
Happ, who on Tuesday was named Rookie of the Year by the Sporting News, went 12-4 for the Phillies this year and was with the BlueClaws in 2005.
Finally, Bastardo was 9-0 for the BlueClaws in 2007 and this year became one of the fastest players to reach the Phillies from their time in Lakewood.
Game one of the World Series is on Wednesday in either New York or Anaheim.
The 2010 season will mark the BlueClaws tenth season of play, and the team will have a new logo and new uniforms for the first time in team history.
The BlueClaws won their second South Atlantic League title in 2009, and led the league in attendance for the ninth straight year. The team also won the league's Club Merit Award and became the fastest in New Jersey and SAL history to reach 4-million fans.
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