Phillies: Pete Orr has bad case of Stanley Cup fever

Any guy who grows up in Toronto with the last name Orr must be into hockey. That is the case for Phillies utility man Pete Orr.

“Hockey was what I grew up with,” Orr said. “I probably loved it more than baseball when I was growing up.”

Before starting last Sunday’s game, Orr sported a Flyers shirt under his jersey. Needless to say, he’s intently watching the NHL playoffs.

“What an amazing series,” Orr said. “It’s been so entertaining. I’ve watched the end of their games after our games.”

Orr grew up a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, but has adopted the Flyers since his hometown team has struggled. He’s even hung out with Scottie Hartnell, Kimmo Timonen and Jody Shelley.

“They’re really easy-going, nice guys,” Orr said. “It was fun to be around them, but it’s really great watching them play in this series. So many of the experts favored the Penguins, but the Flyers finished right behind them at the end of the regular season.

“I have a feeling that the Flyers might have a long run in the playoffs this year. If that’s so, I’ll be watching.”

The Penguins finished the season as hot as any squad in the NHL. Some pundits compared the Pens to the St. Louis Cardinals, who ended the Phillies 2011 season and won the World Series.

“You never know in baseball or hockey,” Orr said. “The Cards were hot and did make it to the finish line, but the hottest team isn’t always the last team standing.”

As for choosing baseball over hockey, Orr doesn’t have any regrets.

“I think I was better suited for baseball,” Orr said. “Quitting hockey wasn’t that big of a deal for me. It wasn’t like I was turning down the NHL for the MLB.”