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MIAMI -- The Phillies wrapped up their final series at Sun Life Stadium, the Marlins' home since their inception in 1993, with Roy Halladay on the mound Sunday afternoon. With the Marlins set to move into a new ballpark next season, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel reflected on his memories of the only home the Marlins have ever known. "This has been a very serviceable ballpark," Manuel said. "Thi d3 football s has been good. It's a tremendous football field. People rave about how the stadium, for football, is tremendous. I haven't been to the new ballpark yet, but looking at the blueprints and stuff, you see it looks like it will be nice. The roof will help." Looking back at all the games he has witnessed at Sun Life Stadium, Manuel did offer one less-than-positive thought about playing in South Flori d3 football da. "The only thing that's tough, I think because it's Miami and especially in day games, there's a lot of things to do where you can go out to South Beach," Manuel said. "In day games, there's basically nobody in the stands, and that's kind of hard. Motivation definitely comes from having a good crowd. Noise and the atmosphere creates energy. If I was going to criticize it, that's the one thing I d3 football 'd say." Not all of Manuel's memories are good. The 67-year-old remembers the feeling of defeat as he watched the Marlins celebrate their first World Series championship. The former Indians hitting coach remembers exactly where he was when Edgar Renteria delivered the hit that clinched the 1997 title. "My worst memory is '97," Manuel said. "I was over in the corner of the bench looking at the hitt d3 football ers." Manuel has some great memories at Sun Life Stadium as well -- his fondest coming early last season, when Roy Halladay threw the 20th perfect game in Major League history. "It was the first time I've ever seen a perfect game," Manuel said. Valdez doing his part as valuable reserve MIAMI -- A strong bench is a key component to any successful baseball team. With injuries to Chase Utley, Ji d3 football mmy Rollins and Placido Polanco over the course of the season, the Phillies have needed someone to fill a void in their infield -- and Wilson Valdez has done just that. Valdez has played in 89 games, making 25 starts at second, 18 at third and 12 at shortstop. The 33-year-old has played solid defense while posting a .248 batting average. "I am very happy with how this season has gone so far," Vald d3 football ez said. "I've been healthy and done my best out there. I've done everything I can to help this team win, and as long as I stay healthy, I think I can keep it up." While his numbers are not overly impressive, Valdez has been a very important reserve and has worked hard to be prepared to play anywhere Phillies manager Charlie Manuel needs him. "That's something that has to do with God-given ability d3 football ," Valdez said. "He gives you the skills, and then you need to work hard to refine them in practice and concentrate on preparing yourself for whatever situation you're put in." Though the club fell short of its goal of winning the World Series last season, Valdez is doing everything he can to help them reach that pinnacle in 2011. "When a general manager focuses on signing a player, it's because h d3 football e believes that player can help his team a lot," Valdez said. "I think that was the motivation behind [general manager Ruben Amaro's] decision to sign me. From the minute I got here, I always tried my best to make the team and help the team. Now, I'm here doing my best to help this team push forward." Worth noting #149; The Phillies won their first game at Sun Life Stadium, 10-3, on May 17, d3 football 1993. Ben Rivera picked up the win and John Kruk collected five of the Phillies' 17 hits. #149; On May 18, 1993, Darren Daulton became the first Phillies player to homer in the stadium. #149; The Phillies lost 14 consecutive games at Sun life Stadium from April 3, 2003, through July 29, 2004. Since that 14-game losing streak, the Phillies have gone 40-25, including a 22-6 mark in their past 28 d3 football games. d3 football
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