But he turned it down to sign with the Kansas City Royals, who selected him in the second round of the 1976 draft.

“I wanted to play pro ball and to try and make a career of it,’’ said Dubee, a former Globe All-Scholastic. “It seemed like a great opportunity.’’

Dubee never got to the major leagues as a player, but he has become a regular in the World Series as the pitching coach of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Now 52, Dubee is in his fifth season with the Phillies and has become a confidant of manager Charlie Manuel.

“I told them that I needed a good pitching coach. I need a pitching coach that definitely could help me through from the middle of the game,’’ Manuel said. “I needed somebody who can communicate good and who can handle the pitchers good, and a hard worker who wants to spend time with them. Dubee has been every bit of that.

“Dubee has been very valuable to us and he’s a tremendous part of our team. I rely on him a lot. I talk things over with him, and I listen to him quite a bit.’’

Dubee played six seasons in the minors, going 45-49 with a 4.07 ERA. After retiring as a player following the 1981 season, he spent nine seasons with the Royals as a minor league coach and roving instructor.

“When I was done playing I wanted to stay in baseball,’’ Dubee said. “I was fortunate that I was able to get started right away.’’

Stints with the Expos and Marlins followed, before Dubee joined the Phillies in 2002. He was promoted to the major league staff in 2004 and worked under manager Larry Bowa for a year.

“It has been great working with Charlie. He respects what I have to say, then he makes the final decision,’’ said Dubee, who has family in Eastern Mass. and tries to visit a few times a year. “Being back in the Series again, that’s something special.’’

The Phillies have the option of replacing him, and Manuel acknowledged the flu has become a concern.

“We’re trying to contain it,’’ he said. “There’s some guys that have had some flu symptoms or had the flu. I don’t know how we’re going to deal with that. We’ve got to play. So that’s kind of how I look at it. We’re trying to deal with that the best we can.’’

As for Dobbs, his teammates have little sympathy. An unknown prankster boarded up his locker with cardboard and yellow caution tape. A sign said visiting hours at the hospital were from 6-8 p.m. “Please be advised to wear a mask,’’ it read.

But Jeter, a .334 hitter during the regular season, defended the idea of bunting with runners on first and second and no outs.

“You win by moving guys over and trying to get them in. I’ve always done that and tried to do that,’’ he said. “It’s tough to score runs.’’

Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com.