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MLB's Young Stars Will Stamp Series

Both league champions are full of next decade's superstars

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 22, 2008 11:29 AM CDT

(Newser) – The recent woes of the Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays belie what could be a truly classic World Series, the New York Times reports. With 13 of 16 starting position players under 30 and each team's ace only 24 years old, the future of baseball could be on display tonight at St. Petersburg’s domed Tropicana Field.

“The players on these two teams are going to be the guys, 10 years from now, that are the superstars in this league,” says Philadelphia reliever Chad Durbin. So chalk the Rays’ mohawks and the Phillies’ locker-dwelling rubber duckies (really) up to youthful exuberance, and hope for a long Series. “It’s a great story all the way around,” commissioner Bud Selig says.

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Philadelphia may have rubber duckies in their lockers, but the Tampa Bay Rays exhibit their youth on their heads. Here, Jonny Gomes and his 'hawk take batting practice. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

The Tampa Bay Rays take batting practice at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008. The Phillies haven't played there since 2001. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Philadelphia Phillies' Jimmy Rollins, left, and catcher Carlos Ruiz are seen during a workout at Tropicana Field Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Grounds crews paint the 2008 World Series logo at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., yesterday. (AP Photo)

Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon, right, watches batting practice with Jason Bartlett at Tropicana Field. The vast majority of Maddon's team is under 30. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Philadelphia Phillies' Cole Hamels is 24, and will be facing a contemporary in Scott Kazmir in the World Series opener. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

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I wanted our players to be loose and I wanted them to play like they always have. So I bought them some rubber ducks. - Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel, who got an unprintable suggestion involving a duck from infielder Chase Utley

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MLB's Young Stars Will Stamp Series