Darren Daulton

Comcast SportsNet will continue its coverage of the Phillies through the National League Championship Series with special editions of "Daily News Live," "SportsNite" and pregame and postgame shows. Coverage for Game 1 begins on the Comcast Network with "Voice of Reason - Harry The K" at 7 p.m., followed by "Phillies Pregame Live," with analysts Darren Daulton and Ricky Bottalico. After the game on Fox, CSN will air "Phillies Postgame Live" at approximately 11:15. For Sunday's Game 2, "SportsNite" begins the coverage at 6 p.m. followed by "Phillies Pregame Live" at 7 p.m. "SportsNite" airs at 10 p.m. with "Phillies Postgame Live" immediately after the game, at approximately 11:15.

John Kruk became the newest Phillie to join the club's Wall of Fame before Friday night's game against Washington. A bronze plaque bearing Kruk's likeness was unveiled by Jim Eisenreich as the Phillies began Alumni Weekend. The 50-year-old Kruk, who played for the raucous 1993 team that lost to Toronto in the World Series, was introduced by Darren Daulton. "This is the greatest place I've ever been," Kruk said as he addressed the crowd at Citizens Bank Park. "I met my wife here.

Comcast SportsNet will air special playoff editions of "Daily News Live" and "SportsNite" throughout the Phillies' postseason. Coverage for today's Game 1 begins with "Phillies Pregame Live" at 4:30 p.m., followed by "Daily News" Live at 5, "SportsNite" at 6 and "Phillies Postgame Live" at approximately 8 p.m. For Friday's Game 2, "DNL" begins the lineup at 5 p.m., followed by "Phillies Pregame Live" at 5:30, "SportsNite at 6 and "Phillies Postgame...

There are times he jolts out of bed in the middle of night with baseball on his brain. There isn't a ballpark in the entire state of Florida with its lights on at that hour. So what is Darren Daulton doing searching for his baseball bat? "He'll wake up at 3 o'clock in the morning and pick up a bat," Nicole Daulton says, the love and astonishment showing on her bemused face. "And I'll find him looking in the mirror, swinging his bat. " "Yeah, I've been doing a lot of mirror work with that bat," her famous husband says - wincing slightly, laughing loudly, half-embarrassed, half-proud to love what he does so much.

When last we saw Mr. Darren A. Daulton, it was Nov. 19, and he was sounding as if he was about one more knee twinge from announcing his career was over. That was 53 days ago. Well, yesterday, that same Darren Daulton had an announcement all right - but not that one. Not only does he think his career is not over, he now thinks - better sit down for this - he can catch again. This year. "I'm going into camp, and I think I can play," Daulton said yesterday from Florida. "And I'm going to try to catch.

The top of the fifth ended and the Giants had just scored five more runs and the Phillies were down by six and, hey, how 'bout them Sixers? So, for the enlightenment of those who gave up at that point last night and switched to basketball or "thirtysomething" or clipping coupons, the following is presented as a public service announcement: The Phillies, with a cannonade of four home runs in two innings, rallied to beat the Giants, 11-9, last...

Until just two years ago, Darren Daulton buckled on his shin guards and chest protector and pulled down his mask with a soldierly tug. Armored, he settled into his squat behind home plate, punched his mitt, and surveyed the diamond - the fielders, the batter, the base runner, his pitcher - and the state of the world, which, if only here, he seemed to hold in sway. But catching breaks a man down, inning by inning, game by game, year by year. After nine operations, Daulton was forced to play first base and the outfield.

Darren Daulton returns to Philadelphia tonight for the first time since his July 21 trade as the playoff-bound Florida Marlins arrive at the Vet for the final series of the season. Daulton was the Phillies' 25th-round pick in the 1980 draft and was with the club for 13 years. The Phils plan on honoring him for his service and leadership, but it won't happen until his playing days are over. Last week in Miami, Daulton, 35, looked and sounded like a man who was thrilled to be back in a playoff situation.

In the box score, it is listed as a simple doubleplay, Scott Rolen to Kevin Stocker to Rico Brogna. To the Phillies, it was more than that. It was only the pivotal moment of their 2-1 win over the Reds last night at Cinergy Field. Curt Schilling had retired 15 batters in succession before Cincinnati catcher Joe Oliver led off the eighth with a single. Reds manager Ray Knight, who also is coaching third base, put his arm around the batter, Lenny Harris, whispering in his ear. There was no doubt.

The Astros have been playing well lately. The Phillies, well, haven't. The Astros are in first place. The Phillies, um, aren't. In other words, the Phillies needed something to level the playing field last night at the Astrodome. And that's where Curt Schilling comes in. Big Schill held Houston to one run through seven innings, and that was enough for the Phils to break a three-game losing streak with a 5-1 victory. Schilling (4-3) still hasn't regained the dominant form he showed in winning his first two starts of the season.