But, right up to the final moment when pitching coach Rich Dubee approached his 27-year-old lefthander in right-centerfield and pulled him aside, Happ tried to maintain what had become his sole focus: working to establish himself as a Phillies starter.
"This is all I've ever known," Happ said later. "Pulling into the ballpark this afternoon, knowing it might be the last time, there was some emotions going on . . . I've been fortunate. I'm pretty young in my major league career, and to go to two World Series and win one, it was a great time to be part of the organization. And that's why I like it here so much."
It was a bittersweet day for all involved. The front office landed an established ace in Astros righthander Roy Oswalt, but they did so at the expense of Happ, who won't reach free agency until at least 2014. The clubhouse welcomed a player who most feel will bolster their chances at repeating as NL champs, but they bid an emotional goodbye to one who had gone 12-5 with a 2.98 ERA in 31 starts beside them the past four seasons. And while Happ never enjoyed a prolonged opportunity to prove he could continue to exceed expectations, he will finally get it in Houston.
"I know the team's giving me a great chance, and I'm going to go down there and I'm going to try to do what I do," said Happ, who is scheduled to start for the Astros tonight. "I'm not going to try to replace Roy Oswalt. I'm going to go and do what J.A. Happ does, and get where I need to be, and hopefully have success for them."
He'll also hope for stability, something he never found with the Phillies. During a 2008 season that culminated in a world title, he pitched well in four spot starts for the club, then was optioned to the minors, before being recalled and added to the postseason roster as a reliever. In 2009, he started 23 games and went 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA but ended up in the bullpen in the World Series. This year, a strained forearm led to a lengthy stay on the disabled list that culminated in a demotion to the minors because of concerns about his command.
Happ could get a chance to pitch against his old team when the Astros play the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park Aug. 23-26.
"We're losing a kid that I think is going to be a good pitcher in the big leagues," Dubee said. "J.A. came a long way fast last year, and handled everything as professionally as you could imagine. You look at the stuff that's come this kid's way, and he's kept handling it so professionally."
Yesterday was no different.
