Northwestern University Athletics
Happ Helps Phillies Claim World Series Title
11/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Oct. 30, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Following a season that saw him jump back and forth between Triple A Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia Phillies, J.A. Happ's patience was rewarded in the end. The former Northwestern Wildcat was a member of the Phillies' postseason roster and helped the club claim the team's first World Series title since 1980.
A three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection during his time at NU (2002-04), Happ made a pair of starts during a July call-up to Philadelphia. The Phillies won both games Happ started, but he was credited with a no-decision on both occasions.
He was then optioned back to Lehigh Valley before being recalled in late July and made two appearances out of the bullpen.
However, Happ was sent back down to Triple A and ended up finishing the season with an 8-7 record and a 3.60 ERA at Lehigh Valley. He led all International League pitchers with 151 strikeouts in 135 innings pitched. For his efforts, Happ was honored as the Phillies' minor league pitcher of the year.
Once the major league rosters expanded in September, Happ earned one final promotion to Philadelphia. His persistence paid off when on Sept. 16 he received his third start of the season and came through with six shutout innings against the Atlanta Braves in a 6-1 win to earn his first major league victory.
Happ earned a spot on the Phillies' postseason roster and made one appearance, hurling three innings while allowing just one run with a pair of strikeouts in Game 3 of the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Philadelphia eventually defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in five games to capture the World Series crown.
