Grapefruiting: Myers’ Hot Start Reveals Possible Rebirth
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Fri, March 21, 2008 05:08 PM | Comments: 3
Posts
While Adam Eaton was continuing to prove us doubters wrong with a strong outing in a 3-2 win, I got to see our Opening Day starter — Brett Myers — take the mound against the AAA-level Toronto Blue Jays in a Minor League game. Myers and Jayson Werth paired with AAA Lehigh Valley. (I’ll have more on a slumping Werth later.)
Myers was brilliant through six innings, using his curveball well and painting his fastball. Toronto didn’t score as Myers gave up (about) three hits and a walk. Then, in the seventh, he unraveled, giving up three runs while becoming more and more unfocused and frustrated. It’s no big deal — it seems Myers just wanted to get his day finished without any damage, and a few clean hits and long at bats rattled him. Let me say this — for what I saw, Myers looks ready to be the man this year.
Clearly his spring stats show outstanding play (11 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K), but there’s something to be said about his makeup. Before we knew Myers as the wife-beater and the bully; this year he’s turned into somewhat of a leader. I keep going back to the Kyle Kendrick prank as a turning point — the man who bitched out a reporter last season was now working with the media to pie-face a teammate. Sure it’s small potatoes, but you can’t help but admire Myers’ efforts toward responsibility. If it factors into gameplay is another thing; for now, you have to be happy with how Myers has performed both as a starter and as a teammate.
Posts: 0 Jimbo Jones
I coudn’t agree with you more on Brett Myers. It’s nice to see him step up and prove he can help lead the team along with J-Roll, Burrell, and Howard. Now as long as his transition from reliever to starter follows in suit we have two great #1 starters between Myers and Hamels. Damn the season couldn’t start soon enough.
Posted: 05:47 PM on March 21, 2008
Posts: 0 NateB
I’m excited. Every starter has put together a couple quality starts, and Lidge looks like he will be ready to go too by opening day. The pitching will be much better than last year. Now we need our “sparkplug” to start his engine… and Rollins will lead the team to 100 wins this year.
Posted: 07:16 PM on March 21, 2008
Posts: 0 brooks
As long as Myers produces as well as we know he can, he will carry some respect from players and fans. I think Myers should count himself lucky that his team is sticking by him perhaps teaching a little bit about being a man.
I hope for the same calming influence on his stupendous team mate, Hamels. Cole just needs to pitch his little heart out, we need his arm and his attitude right in the middle of all this. These guys can create some fire and it is going to be a great season
See you there!
Posted: 01:41 AM on March 22, 2008