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Taney Dragons to be honored at LOVE park at noon Sunday

Philadelphia will welcome home its Taney Dragons Little League team Sunday at LOVE Park in Center City. The rally, organized by Mayor Nutter's office, begins at noon when the team is expected to arrive from Williamsport.

Philadelphia will welcome home its Taney Dragons Little League team Sunday at LOVE Park in Center City.

The rally, organized by Mayor Nutter's office, begins at noon when the team is expected to arrive from Williamsport.

Taney was the city's first Little League team to compete in the Little League World Series in Williamsport. Pitcher Mo'ne Davis became the first girl to pitch a shutout in the World Series last week. The run captured the attention of the city, which held viewing parties and mass-produced Taney merchandise. Professional athletes and celebrities joined the cheering. The team's Wednesday night game broke Little League rating records and drew more than 34,000 people to Howard J. Lamade Stadium.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard visited the team at Williamsport on Thursday and played ping pong with some of the players. Mayor Nutter called the team before the game to wish them luck and thank them for the excitement they brought to fans. Davis, 13, became the first Little League player to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

The team lost to Chicago's Jackie Robinson West on Thursday, one game shy of the national championship game. The players decided to stay in Williamsport to watch the U.S. national game Saturday night when Chicago beat the previously undefeated Las Vegas Mountain Ridge team 7-5. Chicago will play South Korea in Sunday's championship game. After Thursday's game, Taney's manager, Alex Rice, said of the run: "Besides the 12 kids and the 12 families and how happy I am for them, I am thrilled for my city. What a terrific summer it was."

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