Sept. 5 -- WIN ONE FOR THE SCHMIDTER?

BY SCOTT LAUBER

NEW YORK -- Underway here at Shea Stadium, where the sound system is ear-splittingly loud (it's always loud, but tonight, they seem to have pumped up the volume even more). Anyway, wanted to pass this along from the Phillies' clubhouse, where an e-mail message from Mike Schmidt was taped to the door. It reads as follows:

Guys,
One pitch, one at-bat, one play, one situation, think "small" and "big" things result. Tough at-bats, stay up the middle with men on base, whatever it takes to keep the line moving. Hot offense. 27 outs on defense. The Mets know you're better than they are. They remember last year. You guys are never out of the game. Welcome the challenge that confronts you this weekend. You guys are the best.

Good luck,
Mike Schmidt.

Cool stuff. More later.