If you go back past Monday’s rehab appearance, Brett Myers actually as a deeper connection to the BlueClaws. In 2000, he pitched for the Piedmont Boll Weevils, then the Phillies South Atlantic League affiliate.

Who managed that team? None other than current BlueClaws hitting coach Greg Legg.

Myers went 13-7, 3.19 as a 19-year old.

Also on that team were Ryan Madson and Marlon Byrd. The 2000 Boll Weevils made the SAL playoffs, but lost to Erik Bedard and the Delmarva Shorebirds in the first round.

What happened to the Boll Weevils? Well, the Phillies moved their affiliate to Lakewood, and the White Sox took over the team that is know known as the Kannapolis Intimidators.

Matthew Currie, 7, from Toms River, is the 4-millionth fan in BlueClaws history, as the team broke the mark on Monday night. Lakewood entered just 6,047 down from 4-million and eclipsed 8,000 on the evening (don’t have the official number as of this blog post).

Lakewood is the fastest team in NJ and SAL history to reach the 4-million fan mark. They’ve done so in their 608th game in franchise history (9th season).

Quotable
BlueClaws GM Geoff Brown: “This is a very special day in BlueClaws history. To get to 4-million so quickly is a complete tribute to the tremendous fans that have supported us over the first nine years of BlueClaws baseball.”

Brian Currie, father of Matthew: “Our whole family was taken by surprise. We were going to come out last night, but with the rain we decided to change plans.” (Good call)

Lakewood leads the league in 2009 in both average and overall attendance.

The line on Myers in his one BlueClaws outing: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Delvi Cid grounded to second (on first pitch)
Bo Greenwell struck out swinging.
Nate Recknagel walked.
Chris Nash flew out to center.

14 pitches for Myers, seven strikes. Of course, he will not factor in the decision.

We’ll update this shortly but Myers said he felt good…he said that he can get up to 93-94 as a reliever, not sure if he could do that  as a starter…He also said he’s ready to get back to the big club if needed.

Some Quotes: I’m not even worried about it (his hip) anymore. I roll out of bed and I’m not even worried if it’s sore or not.

For me to come back and be a starter right now would be far-fetched. I’m hoping I can just get back and help in the bullpen.

Brett Myers day at FirstEnergy Park…First pitch of the double-dip at 5:05…game notes here…audio here (at 5:00)

Myers…is the 12th Phillie to play for the BlueClaws…Lakewood is 11-8 with a Phillie in the lineup.

Correa…pitches game two…he is 3-4, 4.53 in the second half after going 4-2, 2.81 in the first half.

4:28: We’ll also get the 4-millionth fan today…we’ll keep you posted.

5:04: Taking the field.

5:15: Myers walks a hitter, but other than that a clean first…1 strikeout…14 pitches total, 7 balls and 7 strikes.

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For today’s 4-millionth fan party…The BlueClaws are 6,047 fans away from the magic number, and will become the fastest team in NJ and South Atlantic League history to reach 4-million. Tonight will be the 608th home date for the BlueClaws in their nine-year history.

One of the great, of many great, Phillie Phanatic videos…the Phanatic will be here tonight to see Brett Myers pitch.

The red jersey auction (audio preview here), has been re-scheduled for after the game on Monday, August 31st. The Famous Chicken will also be performing at that night’s game.

Each jersey has an American Cancer Society patch, and all net-proceeds from the auction will go to the American Cancer Society.

Jerseys auctioned (live, livestock style) will include all BlueClaws players and coaches, plus Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, Shane Victorino and JC Romero.

Here’s the plan for Monday: double-header, two seven-inning games beginning at 5:05, Brett Myers of the Phillies to start game one…game notes here.

Game One
LWD: RHP Brett Myers (–)
LCO: RHP Trey Haley (3-7, 5.85)

Game Two
LWD: RHP Heitor Correa (7-6, 3.67)
LCO: LHP TJ McFarland (7-4, 3.64)

Note #1: Number for 4-million is 6,047, which will likely fall tonight.

Note #2: Scout night sleepover is still on as scheduled. The scout parade, because of the double-header, will now be held between games, rather than before.

Brett Myers’ rehab start might have been rained out (re-scheduled for 5:05 Monday), but the day wasn’t a total waste. This happened:

After a dramatic win last night, game two of this three-game set tonight, 5:05 with Brett Myers on the hill for Lakewood…game notes here…audio here (at 4:50)

LWD: RHP Brett Myers (–)
LCO: RHP Trey Haley (3-7, 5.85)

BlueClaws Rehab Notes…Myers is the 12th Phillie to rehab w/ Lakewood (click here)…Lakewood is 11-8 in the 19 games w/ Phillies rehabbing…Myers went 4-3, 4.66 with the Phillies before a hip injury led to surgery on June 4th.

4:02: Rain stopped…we’re on as scheduled.

4:40: Not exactly…started up again…we’re in a delay.

5:27: Game postponed…rain…DH tomorrow, 5:05, Brett Myers to start game one.

Today could very well be the big day. The BlueClaws are within 6,047 of the big 4-million fan mark in team history. The winner gets the following:

• Two season tickets to see the 2010 BlueClaws (with Upstairs Club and VIP Parking Passes)
• BlueClaws “4-million” jersey
• $50 to the ClawsCove
• Chance to take BP on the field with the real BlueClaws
• Autographed BlueClaws merchandise

2001: 482,206 (70)
2002: 466,474 (68)
2003: 445,838 (67)
2004: 440,521 (67)
2005: 444,607 (67)
2006: 448,310 (67)
2007: 442,256 (69)
2008: 425,166 (67)

Throw in the 398,575 this year, and you have 3,993,953 fans.

Today’s game notes can be found here.

We also made a little sheet listing all the Phillies who have rehabbed w/ Lakewood in advance of Brett Myers doing just that this afternoon (5:05).

The BlueClaws have seen 12 Phillies (including Myers) over their first nine years come to Lakewood, and over the 19 games in which they’ve played, the BlueClaws are 11-8.

Phillies pitcher Brett Myers will continue his rehab with the BlueClaws on Sunday, at the team’s 5:05 game at FirstEnergy Park. Myers had hip surgery to replace a torn labrum on June 4th. He joins JC Romero as the second Phillies player to rehab this year with the BlueClaws, and Pedro Martinez also threw a FirstEnergy Park bullpen session.

Myers, a key member of the Phillies 2008 World Series Championship wants to be equally as important to a 2009 run, so he is making a surprise return and may feature in the Phillies bullpen.

Want to see Brett Myers tomorrow? Come to FirstEnergy Park on Sunday at 5:05 pm and stay late for a live jersey auction, featuring the RED jerseys! Proceeds to benefit the American Cancer Society. Tickets are still available by calling 732-901-7000, in person at the BlueClaws Box Office, or online at BlueClaws.com

Welcome back to FirstEnergy Park…New series…Lakewood & Lake County…no Jason Knapp this series…game notes here…audio here (at 6:50)

LWD: LHP Matthew Way (2-1, 2.37)
LCO: LHP Nick Hagadone (0-2, 2.67)

Dueling Lefties…Way and Hagadone tonight…Way has walked 1 and fanned 25 in three Lakewood starts…Hagadone, the #3 prospect in Boston’s system coming into the season, was acquired at the deadline in the Victor Martinez deal.

4-million…in 12,592 fans.

6:17: Rain should hold up long enough to get this game in.

7:34: 0-0 to the second.

7:44: Hagadone is very good…95 on the heaters…they’re very careful with him (off Tommy John surgery) as were the Red Sox…so probably 3 innings, but he’ll be in AAA this time next year.

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