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TOM JONESOriginal Ray John Flaherty isn't surprised to be a step from World Series, though it came harder than expected.
NEW YORK - One year ago today, John Flaherty was off from work. Same with two years ago. Three years ago. Four years ago.
Today, he's working harder than he ever has.
The former Devil Rays catcher is in the postseason for the first time in his career as a backup to Yankees catcher Jorge Posada.
One year ago, when he was being eased out of the Rays' plans, could he have imagined playing for a chance to go to the World Series?
"I actually did imagine it," Flaherty said. "It was something I hoped would happen."
But it wasn't like flipping a switch. Flaherty got here the hard way, signing a minor-league contract in January and finding out on the last day of spring training that he had made the club. He appeared in 40 games with a .267 average, four homers and 14 RBIs as the Yankees rolled to another division title.
Well, maybe "rolled" is the wrong word.
"I think being here this whole year made me realize how hard it is to get to the postseason and keep moving on," Flaherty said. "We have a great team, but we had to earn this division this year. From the outside looking in, you think it's easy. But it's not. You have to go out there and compete and go through a lot of ups and downs.
"Bottom line is I thought it would be an easier year than it actually was."
If this was tough, imagine the long road the Rays have to travel. For the first time, though, the club might be heading in the right direction.
Flaherty still keeps an eye on the Rays boxscores and talks to people inside the organization such as coaches Tom Foley and Billy Hatcher, video coordinator Chris Fernandez and former catching partner Toby Hall. Plus, the Yankees and Rays played 19 times this season, giving Flaherty ample time to follow the Rays. At least enough to see that the team's future looks brighter, especially with the impressive seasons turned in by young players such as Aubrey Huff, Rocco Baldelli and Carl Crawford.
"No doubt," Flaherty said. "All the years there, we heard about the good young players and now you can actually look at them, seeing them playing well and producing.
"They mix a few good young pitchers in there like this (Doug) Waechter kid, and I feel real good about what might happen there."