Back when the Phillies hired him a year ago, they probably had no idea he would become this valuable of a commodity for October baseball.

Don't get me wrong - they hire professional scouts to do their jobs for a reason, but the team has to be extremely pleased with the happy coincidence that is having Chuck LaMar on their side.

LaMar, the Phillies World Series "Insider," worked as the Tampa Bay Rays general manager for the franchise's first 10 seasons. Many of the players who are currently battling the Red Sox were drafted and developed under LaMar's watch.

In anticipation of a possible Phils-Rays World Series, I caught up with LaMar before the Phils final game in L.A. LaMar has been in Boston all week, scouting the ALCS.

Here's the story on the Phillies "Insider" from Thursday's Daily Times sports section.