WORLD SERIES : TORONTO BLUE JAYS vs. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES : Jackson’s Game Unravels, He Doesn’t : Phillies: Despite history of temper flare-ups, he maintains composure after being shelled by Blue Jays.

The Philadelphia Phillies giggled at the commotion created by the Toronto Blue Jays. They snickered at all of the confusion over Who’s at first, What’s at second, and I don’t know at third.

Why, with the way the Blue Jays were acting Tuesday, the Phillies wondered if their American League counterparts would even be able to play the game, so despondent were they over not being allowed to use a designated hitter in Philadelphia.

“I think the controversy over the DH is a bunch of bull,” Phillie Manager Jim Fregosi said. “Each team has eight players, don’t they? What’s the big deal?”

Well, by the time the Blue Jays had thoroughly thrashed the Phillies, 10-3, in Game 3 of the World Series, the Blue Jays didn’t have a soul feeling sorry for them.

Phillie starter Danny Jackson, the man who was supposed to benefit by not having to face John Olerud in the lineup, instead was pounded by everyone else in the lineup, wondering how everything could go so wrong.

Jackson, who pitched so splendidly in the National League playoffs, this time never gave his team a chance of winning.

The Phillies were down, 3-0, before they stepped to the plate in the first inning.

Paul Molitor had a triple, home run and three runs batted in before Philadelphia collected its third hit.

Jackson yielded six hits and four earned runs in only five innings, brooding in the trainers’ room for hours before the game mercifully ended.

Really, the most bizarre scene in the lopsided affair was Jackson’s demeanor in the clubhouse after the game. He actually looked placid afterward, answering wave after wave of questions.

“It was frustrating for all of us,” said Phillie catcher Darren Daulton, who went hitless in three at-bats, stranding four baserunners. “It’s hard to get real mad when you get your butts kicked like that.”

Daulton said it was as much his fault as anyone’s for the defeat. Although Jackson was the one who got them into the mess, Daulton could have gotten them out of it.

The Phillies had runners on first and third, with two outs in the first inning when Daulton came to the plate. He battled Blue Jay starter Pat Hentgen to a full count, and then struck out.

Jackson also had no excuses for his performance. He claimed that the game’s 72-minute rain delay had no bearing on his performance, but for some reason, he was overthrowing the ball.

“I don’t know what happened out there,” Jackson said, “but I was just too strong, too damn strong. I thought the more I threw, the better I was getting, but it was too late.”

Jackson remained calm as he answered questions, never even raising his voice. Sure, it was a big defeat for the Phillies, and could eventually haunt them. But it was no time for one of his classic outbursts.

His locker, much to everyone’s surprise, actually was very much intact.

“What can I say,” Jackson said, “I’m a little calmer now. A few years ago, it would have been a different story.”

Said Kansas City Royal Manager Hal McRae, a former teammate of Jackson’s: “I’ve seen a lot of guys lose their temper, but no one like him. I mean, there were times we’d be scared to even go inside the clubhouse.”

While Jackson shelled out thousands of dollars each year for his tantrums, often times turning his locker into kindling, there was one outburst that stood out among all the others.

The Royal players trudged into the clubhouse after one loss, McRae remembers, when they smelled something on fire. They opened the clubhouse door, and there in the middle of the room was a trash can ablaze, and Jackson wildly feeding it.

First came his uniform. Then his cap. His shoes. He threw everything he owned in that fire, burning memories as well as materials.

If that wasn’t enough, Jackson immediately went to management and made a few demands. He wanted a new uniform number. He wanted to switch lockers. In short, he wanted a new identity.

Times have change.

“I’m more mature now,” Jackson said, “besides, I could be pitching Game 7. If we can get to a Game 7, believe me, this will all be forgotten.”