On their flight home from Pittsburgh, the Reds wondered whether the final series at Cinergy Field would come off without a hitch. They got their answer before it even got started.

        “We were talking on the plane and saying how everything will probably go wrong, that they'll have rain delays and all that stuff,” Reds outfielder Adam Dunn said.

        Heavy rain prompted the series opener against the Phillies to be postponed Friday night and rescheduled Saturday afternoon as part of the first day-night doubleheader in the stadium's 32-year history.

        The forecast calls for clear skies from Saturday afternoon through the rest of the weekend, so any more delays will be totally unexpected.

        “I think as long as Sunday is a good day, the fans will be happy,” Reds starter Danny Graves said.

        The Reds are bringing back famous players from the past for the final game on Sunday, when Big Red Machine manager Sparky Anderson will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.

        There was nostalgia in the Reds clubhouse Friday in anticipation of the final series.

        As teammates packed gear from their lockers, Reds catcher Jason LaRue walked around wearing a Schottzie cap — the dog-eared headgear favored by former owner Marge Schott.

        Jose Rijo walked around the clubhouse with a smile and a song, delighted that one of the biggest starts of his career was only two days away. The Reds have decided to let their 1990 World Series MVP start the final game at Cinergy.

        “I couldn't get any more excited,” Rijo said. “I'm at the highest level of excitivity. It means a lot to me. Everybody wants to be remembered as a good pitcher, but to be remembered as the last pitcher to pitch in this stadium will be a great thrill.”

Reds' rainout creates day-night doubleheader Players' spirits not dampened Nuxhall, 5 others worked stadium beginning to end Schmidt cherishes best Cinergy moments Casey plans to grab souvenir Greatest Stadium Moments No. 7: Game 3, 1976 NLCS Greatest Stadium Moments No. 6: Pete Rose's return Watch stadium's greatest moments online Althaus biggest Reds fan - by miles Cardinals wrap up NL Central Athletics clinch playoff berth Angels near first playoffs in 16 years Dodgers fall two games behind Giants widen wild-card lead Baseball Notebook: Attackers say coach provoked them

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