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MAGNA -- Game 6 of the World Series gets underway Wednesday night in New York. Some baseball fans in Magna, Utah are hoping the Phillies can pull off a win to stay alive. That's because a hometown hero is part of the team.
Scott Eyre, a relief pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, played baseball at Cyprus High School and later at Southern Idaho Junior College before breaking into the big leagues with the Chicago White Sox back in 1997.
Bob Fratto, the head baseball coach at Cyprus High, coached Scott in high school and knew back then he had a special talent.
"He had the arm, the God-given arm," Fratto says. "I would say I'm just glad we never ruined him or over-threw him."
"He got a little special privilege when he was striking out 17 or 18 guys," Fratto continues. "But he was definitely our go-to guy."
Fratto says Scott always worked hard on the field. The coach sometimes made up things to yell at Scott so the other players wouldn't think he got special treatment. He said Scott always had confidence and did what he needed to do to accomplish his dreams.
Coming up Thursday
KSL 5 News Today
Scott Eyre's mother, who lives in Utah, talked about how she groomed three sons to play professional baseball. That story coming up Thursday morning on KSL 5 News Today.Coach Fratto is excited about his former player's success, but he admits he's a little torn because he is a lifelong Yankees fan.
"I can't root against them, but as soon as he comes into the game, I'm wanting him to get them out. It's just really weird," Fratto says.
Scott knows his coach's loyalties and asked him who he's rooting for. Coach says he's cheering for blood, which is what he considers Scott.
