By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
While Major League Baseball begins its second-to-last full month of the 2018 season on Wednesday, three-dozen former players are partaking in the inaugural Bluegrass World Series, July 30-August 4, at Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Bluegrass World Series and Louisville Bats have partnered to "bring a group of the best retired MLB players together" in a six-day tournament, celebrating the game of baseball and making a "true and lasting impact in Louisville and beyond."
Among the Bluegrass World Series participants playing against mostly college players include three former Philadelphia Phillies: RHP Roy Oswalt, franchise saves leader Jonathan Papelbon, and 2008 World Series champion OF Jayson Werth.
Bluegrass World Series Roster
Werth is perhaps the newly-retired among all the Bluegrass World Series participants, as he brought his 15-year Major League career to an end on Wednesday, June 27. Shortly after, Werth received a text message from longtime Washington Nationals teammate Adam LaRoche to join him in Louisville, according to the Louisville Courier Journal's Fletcher Page.
"He just loves to play and plus, shoot, he's the only one out here in shape," LaRoche told Page. "We needed him in the outfield. … He was one of the first calls when the tournament was announced to come out here and have some fun again. He's loving it."
Starting in center field for the Louisville Stars in the tournament's first night on Monday — along with Johnny Damon, J.D. Drew, LaRoche and others — Werth went 1-for-3 with a single, walk and a near-miss home run. The Stars would go on to win, 5-0.
Jayson Werth prior to the Bluegrass World Series pic.twitter.com/juBk1NKWWK
— Mike Gilpatrick (@TheGilpatrick) July 30, 2018
Once the tournament ends on Saturday, Werth will head next to Philadelphia, as he and the rest of the 2008 World Series champion team will be honored Sunday prior to the Phillies' matinee contest against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park.
Read: Phillies Announce 2008 Champions Scheduled to Appear in 10-Year Anniversary Ceremony
Since retiring, Werth told Page that he has spent time coaching his 16-year-old son's team. "You see the game from a different perspective," he said. "It's rewarding, though, because the kids are young and impressionable, and I feel like I have a lot to offer. Some of the kids ask questions and they want to know all the stuff."
The 2009 National League All-Star still resides near Washington, D.C., and said he would be open to another role within the Nationals organization if "presented with the right opportunity," or "any future role in baseball," according to Page.
"I might look into doing some more stuff with the organization," Werth said. "I'm not quite to that point, but if they call and ask me a question, I'd answer it. [Maybe serve as] a special assistant, but I'm not sure."
Ten games remain in the Bluegrass World Series tournament, culminating to Saturday's Championship Game at 6 p.m. All games are streamed on the Bluegrass World Series YouTube channel.
