Daulton tells rally: Fans are Phillies' edge

Mayor Nutter and the Phillie Phanatic led a noontime rally at City Hall to cheer on the Phillies as they prepare for Game 1 of the World Series.

The Fightin' Phils face the New York Yankees Wednesday night for the first game of the Series in the Bronx. The Yanks knocked off the Los Angeles Angels 5-2 on Sunday night to win the American League Championship Series four games to two.

First up to address the crowd of more than 300 fans at Dilworth Plaza was Dan Baker, the Phillies stadium announcer. He was accompanied by team president David Montgomery and General Manager Rubin Amaro Jr.

Phillies spokesman Scott Palmer thanked the crowd. "They are ready!," Palmer roared about the Phils. "The question I have for you: Are you ready?"

Fans responded with cheers and waved rally towels and red signs reading "We Got High Hopes."

Darren Daulton, the former Phillies catcher who was in the World Series in 1993, said there was a big difference between the two teams.

"The big edge the Phillies have: It's the fans," said Daulton. "Everybody has been intimidated to come to Philadelphia and play."

The mayor announced a raffle for two World Series tickets to each of the home games.

To enter, send an e-mail to phillymayor@gmail.com with your name, phone number, and address by 5 p.m. Tuesday. Winners will be randomly selected, Nutter said.

Then the biggest cheer of all went up as the mayor introduced the Phillie Phanatic who danced around as the event became musical with "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover" and a sing-along in tribute to Harry Kalas with "High Hopes."