WORLD SERIES NOTEBOOK

updated 9:48 p.m. ET Oct. 20, 2006

DETROIT - Sean Casey and Joel Zumaya of the Detroit Tigers made it a worthwhile week off.

Sidelined by injuries during the AL championship series, they rested and rehabbed and got themselves ready for the World Series. They’re set to play Saturday night in Game 1 against St. Louis.

Casey hurt his left calf in the ALCS opener and did not play again during the sweep over Oakland. That forced Detroit to find another first baseman and put someone else in the No. 3 slot in the batting order.

“I’m going to be ready to go,” Casey said Friday. “I’m glad we had the waiting because it definitely helped me.”

Casey was traded from Pittsburgh to the Tigers on July 31. A three-time All-Star and career .302 hitter, he made his major league debut in 1997 and had never played in the postseason until this year.

“I didn’t want to miss this,” he said.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he was leaning toward using Casey as the designated hitter in Games 1 and 2. There will be no DH when the Series shifts to the NL park.

“He will play in St. Louis, as it appears right now, unless there’s some type of setback,” Leyland said. “Don’t etch it in stone, but it looks like he’s going to be ready to go.”

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Zumaya, the rookie reliever who routinely throws fastballs over 100 mph, was limited to one inning in the ALCS because of a problem with his right wrist. He also feels ready to let loose in the World Series.

“Everything is going great,” he said. “I threw 15 pitches (Wednesday) and I’m 100 percent. I told you guys I’d be 100 percent for the World Series, and I am.”

Remember me?
Don’t count on seeing Tigers closer Todd Jones warmly greet former teammate Jeff Weaver before Game 1 of the World Series.

“There’s no love lost here that he’s gone,” Jones said Friday.

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Weaver, who now pitches for St. Louis, made his major league debut with the Tigers in 1999. He was talented but a wild child, and Detroit traded him in August 2002 — Weaver wound up with the New York Yankees and pitcher Jeremy Bonderman moved from Oakland to the Tigers in the three-way deal.

“He never really panned out here,” Jones said. “We all go through the learning process and learning curves, and his was with us. I’m sure he’s changed as a pitcher.”

Weaver brushed aside Jones’ remarks.

“I don’t think about that. It was a long time ago,” he said.

Weaver said he felt good for the Detroit fans and for former Tigers teammates such as Brandon Inge and Mike Maroth.

“They were here for the worst of times and now they get to see the best of times,” he said.

Back at home
Yadier Molina’s ninth-inning home run won the NL pennant for the St. Louis Cardinals and set off a celebration at Shea Stadium. It also started a party far away.

Shortly after he connected, the phone began ringing at his family’s home in Puerto Rico.

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“I am a happy mother,” Gladys Matta said. “We all started cheering in the house and them immediately the phone began to ring with calls to congratulate us.”

Molina’s two brothers also are catchers in the majors — Bengie plays for Toronto and Jose is with the Los Angeles Angels. Both of them were also in Puerto Rico on Thursday night.

“They called me at 2 a.m. last night,” Yadier Molina said at Comerica Park. “They were really excited. They’re at home right now, but they’re flying to St. Louis on Monday.”

Every other year starting in 2002, at least one of the Molinas makes it to the World Series. Bengie and Jose won with the Angels in 2002 and Yadier lost with the Cardinals in 2004.

Family reunion
Cardinals second baseman Ronnie Belliard will see a familiar face when he lines up for pregame introductions — his cousin, Rafael Belliard, is Detroit’s infield coach.

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“When I was in high school in Atlanta, people used to tell me I looked like him and played like him,” Ronnie said. “But they also said I had a little more pop than him.”

“I don’t field as well as him, though. He was a better fielder,” he said.

Making the calls
Randy Marsh will be the plate umpire for Game 1 of the World Series and will serve as the crew chief. This will be his fifth World Series.

The crew will include Tim McClelland, John Hirschbeck, Mike Winters, Wally Bell and Alfonso Marquez.

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