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October 24, 2008

Hats off to Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer

Posted: 08:29 AM ET

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer is amazing. Not just because he’s 45 and still going strong and when he takes the mound in game three of the World Series Saturday, he’ll be the second-oldest starter in fall classic history.

Moyer is amazing for the magnanimous charity he and his wife Karen have created. You’ve heard of athletes “supporting” charities. How about building one from the ground up that’s making a difference in kids’ lives?

ALT TEXT

You won our hearts, Jamie Moyer.

Back in 2002, the Moyers started Camp Erin: Free weekend-long camps for kids who’ve suffered a loss of a loved one. The camps feature traditional camp activities that kids love, and are also staffed with bereavement counselors to talk with the kids.

Moyer’s foundation has helped Camp Erin grow to 18 camps in 12 states. Recently they announced that with the help of sponsors they will expand to 29 camps in 18 states in 2009. In fact, Moyer’s opposing manager in the series, Tampa’s Joe Maddon, is one of many baseball figures that have helped sponsor the project. Others include Tommy Lasorda, New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez, Phillies teammate Jimmy Rollins, and Chicago Cubs manager Lou Pinella.

My family could have used one of these camps.

When my dad died in 2001 from a brain tumor, I was already in my 30s, but my baby sister Teddi was only 7. Now she’s 14. This would have been perfect for her then and could even be useful for her now.

I can’t think of anything better for a kid going through such a tremendous loss than to be able to bond with other kids who’ve experienced something similar, talk with counselors, and have fun at the same time.

She and the rest of my family are in Chicago. If all goes well with the expansion of Camp Erin, Chicago will get a camp next year along with Atlanta, Miami, Minneapolis, Detroit and Los Angeles, and many other cities.

If you want to get involved, enroll your kid, or just learn more about it, check out the foundation’s Web site at www.moyerfoundation.org.

And if you watch game three Saturday, no matter what happens, root for Moyer to do well, because he’s truly one of baseball's good guys.

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JOE RETIRED   October 24th, 2008 10:33 am ET

I see Mccain has dressed up his Barbbie doll. Nice job Repubicans. So much for her just like the average Joes.

Joe retired

jody phillips   October 24th, 2008 11:31 am ET

I think it's great when the people who can do. a loss off a loved one can be as bad as anything. And children are the future so investing in them will allways pay good returns for all. he deserves the cow bell award. Jody

amanda   October 24th, 2008 3:45 pm ET

Robin, My husband Frank and I love your show! I just now got my computer hooked up online and you are the first download!

SARAH   October 25th, 2008 5:51 pm ET

HOW CAN SARAH PALIN MAKE A GOOD VP OR POSSIBLE PRESIDENT WHEN SHE CAN NOT WATCH HER OWN UNDERAGE KIDS AT HOME HAVING SEX AND BECOMING PREGNANT? WHAT KIND OF EXAMPLE IS THAT TO A AMERICAN MOMS? I AM JUST WORRIED......PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU SHARE THE SAME OPINION....IT IS DANGEROUS TO GIVE HER THAT BIG RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE AMERICA NATION....

kenneth ward stephens sr   October 27th, 2008 8:42 am ET

hey gm Robin my tampabay rays lost i what them to win they came back win tonite

Art   October 28th, 2008 7:28 am ET

Hi Rafer!

Thanks to Bobby Van D. for announcing hockey for the other category in your poll. Hockey is the real sport! Where else can you have so much fun watching some great action. I also am a fan of nascar! Go Jimmy J :)

JAMES   October 28th, 2008 8:27 am ET

HEY ROBIN I AM WATCHING YOUR NEW AN WONDERING ABOUT THE FANS DO THEY HAVE TOO BY ANOTHER TICKET TOO SEE THE REST OF THE GAME LET US KNOW PLEASE ASK THE SPORT GUY!!!!!!! thank you JR

1SG Patrick Murphy US Army   October 28th, 2008 9:00 am ET

Men like Jamie are the reasons that keep America going. It should be a Public Service Requirement for all AMERICANS to help out atleast one thoughtful organization.

DJ   October 28th, 2008 9:49 am ET

I think the republican have something to do with the Acorn Fraud.

Stephanie in NC   October 28th, 2008 11:25 am ET

I WATCH EVERY MORNING STARTING AT 6AM, MY HUSBAND AND I LOVE TO WATCH ROBIN, CHILLIN WITH VAN DILLION, AND WE LOVE SPORTS WITH RAFER. YOU MAKE OUR MORNINGS COMPLETE ALONE WITH COFFEE.WE MISS YOU ON THE WEEKENDS . I WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT THAT YOU GIVE THE MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE HAVE JUST RETIRED FROM THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, 26 YEARS AND WE LOVE TO HEAR ALL THE GREAT STORIES YOU BRING TO US EVERYDAY ABOUT OUR MILITARY. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR SOILDERS.

George Spink   October 29th, 2008 11:59 am ET

Rafer, that is a wonderful, moving story.

My father died when he was only 46 years old. He lost a three-year battle with Hodgkins Disease back in January 1957. I was 16 years old.

As close as our relatives and friends had been to us before his death, my mother and I often felt they didn't care about us after he died. They rarely stopped by to see my mom and me, as they did so often when my dad was alive. None of my uncles gave a damn about how I was doing in school or what I wanted to do after high school. They assumed I would go to work and not to college.

I did both. I went to college, working part-time during the school year and full-time unloading box cars and trucks at an oil refinery near our home in Chicago. That summer job paid very well. I graduated from Northwestern and later earned an MBA at the University of Chicago - no thanks to my uncles or my parents' male friends.

I've carried that resentment all of my life. I know that is not good, but I'll take it to the grave with me.

Phil in Vero Beach FL..   October 29th, 2008 3:56 pm ET

Just wanted to let everyone know that Jamie Moyer is a stand up guy ..who I have watched for many years ...I was born in Seattle ,and have been watching his career start, and of at sometime will have to end..I will miss the guy but will never forget what he has done with his life and how he has helped people out....Go Phillies

david thaxton   October 30th, 2008 1:57 am ET

I live my life based on trying to smile about something in every day, so how cool could it have been if the Tampa Bay Rays would have gone out on the field and congratulated the Phillies on TV! I guess MLB isn't really America's favorite sport–they don't even display sportsmanship to our youth!

You guys are great....

Lysandra W.   October 30th, 2008 7:26 am ET

I blame Rafer.

I was routing for Tampa Bay the whole post season. They may have struggled, but they won. That is until Rafer decided to pick them as World Series Champs. I knew we were doomed.

Thanks alot Rafer!!
:)

Patty   October 30th, 2008 8:56 am ET

Baseball is not the forgotten sport. I love baseball, I have watched every game of the Division Series, the Championship Series and the World Series.
I think there were a lot of issues with the way the games went, but I found the Series to be very entertaining. I wish the games had gone to Tampa to finish the series just so I could watch baseball for at least one more game.
I like all sports but prefer Baseball. Just because the Boston Red Sox aren't in the World Series doesn't mean people aren't watching.

Del   October 30th, 2008 9:57 am ET

I thought the umpires won the World Series!!

Jim Carrow   October 31st, 2008 11:41 am ET

The Phillies won that series, too, not the Devil Rays. Something to think about here, for all you sports fans.

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It's Morning Express like you've never seen it before! Hear from Robin Meade and the rest of the show crew for our thoughts on everything from politics to sports... to those bizarre stories that have us buzzing behind the scenes. Plus, plenty of material you might not see on the air. Don't miss OUR TAKE on what's happening in the world. Then tell us YOURS!

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