Commentary: Myers Needs To Be A Jerk
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Mon, August 11, 2008 02:00 PM | Comments: 39
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In baseball, one of the unspoken rules is “accept being pulled from the game.”
Brett Myers didn’t quite “accept” it Saturday night. He pitched very well, but left after 7.2 innings, as Charlie Manuel seemingly wanted to give his league-best bullpen the ball to finish a must-win game against the lowly Pirates.
Myers went crazy on Manuel, and the two had to be somewhat restrained afterwards.
So who was right? What’s the solution? Is there a problem?
Myers wanted to prove himself worthy of being a top starter. He was horrible until a minor league demotion, then came back up and has pitched much better. Comfort level in Myers is still not high, but it definitely isn’t low. Going an extra 0.1 innings, or 1.1 innings, against the Pirates won’t generally bring the level up to high levels. Bottom line: Myers didn’t need to prove himself by staying out there against Pittsburgh.
Manuel, meanwhile, said this about pulling him:
“I’ll tell you something: his confidence got back. That’s why I took him out of the game. I wasn’t going to let him lose the game. He was leaving on a high note, and there’s four left-handed hitters standing there. I wasn’t going to give him a chance to get hit. He already pitched a good game and did a good job.”
That’s correct. I Initially said it would’ve been nice to give Myers the chance to go eight, but Manuel is right. Bring in your lefty against a tough lefty stretch of the Pirate lineup. Pull Myers on a high note. Sell high. When dealing with a guy who has struggled and is trying to get back to a comfort zone, every hitter is crucial.
I will say, however, that I’m glad Myers got upset. I’m glad he broke the unspoken rule. (What’s with these unspoken rules anyway?) Myers yammered on and on about finding the fun, and getting back his intensity, and yadda yadda yadda. All I cared about is if he could go seven. Well he went seven, and he looked great. If intensity and fun comes with it, then that’s cream, baby.
Face it: Myers is a prima-donna, self-centered jerk. He is. He needs to be center of attention whenever he’s involved. That’s why he wanted to stay in the game. That’s why he yelled and created a show after being pulled. But if he’s pitching well, I don’t give a crap. Manuel knows how to deal with prima-donnas (see Ramirez, Manny), and the situation has already been smoothed over. That Myers was acting like a jerk shows me he’s getting back to where he should be. And that’s the Myers the Phillies need down the stretch — the d-bag, a-hole, j-off jerk face. That’s the leader this team (lethargic in other areas right now) needs.
Posts: 0 Krall
He obviously needs to rage to be a good pitcher. He can’t beat his wife anymore so he’s gotta yell at cholly. If he keeps putting us in situations we can win, I have no problem with it
Posted: 02:26 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
Myers as the leader of this team? Heaven help us.
Posted: 02:36 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Richie
I couldn’t agree more. We need Myers to smack a few of these guys around like he did his wife. They need a kick in the rear. Zambrano had a beef last year, after that they went on a tear the rest of the year, the brewers have played well after their little melee’ last week. Myers is the only guy on this team that can get them going, and he will only do it if his confidence gets back and he is getting there, he will get in anyone’s face obviously. If it’s Charlie, it’s charlie Oh well!! Let’s hope he continues to rile this club back to winning ways. I’ll tell you one thing, if someone needs to get beaned for celebrating a homer, Myers will be the first to do it. If there is a bench-clearing brawl, Myers will be the first man out of that dugout, there is no denying that!!!
Posted: 02:36 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Dave
I couldn’t disagree more. Bad apples in the clubhouse are never good. It’s correct that Myers is an @$$ hole and always has been an @$$ hole, yet his pitching hasn’t always been up to speed with his attitude. And all it will take is one bad outing for Myers to look elsewhere to place the blame, creating additional in-house turmoil and negative vibes. After such a great start against Pittsburgh, Myers should have allowed the headlines to preach the praise of the Phillies, but instead we’re all focusing on Myers acting like a hot-headed fool (again). The story should be about the team, not about Myers. Let’s also not forget, while a good outing is a good outing, Myers was beat up by the Mets, and has since quieted the Nats, an Ankiel-less Cardinals bunch, and the Pirates. Not exactly murderer’s row. I’m not trying to take anything away from him, but if this guy really has turned a corner then let’s see him prove it against the meat of the NL. My jury is still out on him, and antics like he pulled this weekend do nothing to boost my confidence in him as a “leader.”
Posted: 02:55 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Brian
If he keeps pitching this way, who cares. He knew he was wrong in the interviews following the game, and they patched it up quickly. If he can get a fire under the teams a*s in the final few weeks, then do it (they need it).
Posted: 03:04 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Rick
I’m still waiting for the day someone charges the mound against him. I want to see him use some of those boxing skills he learned back in the day.
Posted: 03:09 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Brian
Yeah I heard he was 8-0 in his boxing career? Suppposedly he dropped someone in the minors a few years ago with a left hook after they charged the mound.
Posted: 03:13 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
im fired up, LATE GAME TONIGHT! i love late night phillies baseball.
Posted: 03:32 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
Anyone making 8.5 million per year should act in a professional manner. That goes for all the players on this team. Professional athletes make way too much money compared to rest of society and considering their contribution to the greater good they should feel extremely privileged to be earning their enormous salaries.
There should not be a question about leadership – if multiple millions cannot get one motivated then something is wrong.
Posted: 04:12 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Im done with that asshole Myers. Hes the number one trade priority in the offseason: get that trash out of here, i dont care if he returns to form. go sign ben sheets and get this turd out of here.
Posted: 04:13 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike W.
Just wanted to give a plug for the Main Line Devon/Strafford little league team that won the PA state title this year. They play MD tonight for the right to go to the LLWS. ESPN2, 8pm. Pretty damn cool.
Posted: 04:26 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 that guy
He was a jerk when he sucked too. I don’t think this is ever an issue for him.
Posted: 04:26 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Dave
Mets bullpen blows another game today. How many times do they have to keep putting Heilman into games until they realize he can’t get anybody out? They must be gluttons for punishment. They have no one to blame but themselves if they keep losing using the same horrible relief pitchers without learning from their mistakes. Morons.
Posted: 04:50 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Jamie
The AP generously refers to the Mets bullpen as “shaky.” That’s like saying the Hindenberg flight went off with only a “minor glitch.”
Posted: 05:17 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Shaky is an understatement. Our bullpen was shaky last year. Their bullpen is just bad. Last year our pitching wasn’t good by any means but we were able to outslug everyone. They can’t do that. They have a solid starting rotation, but their rotation is only going to be as good as the bullpen that is backing them up. That’s why the Brewers don’t scare me in the NLDS.
Posted: 05:57 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 BFO
While I don’t condone Myers showing up Charlie, I like the fire. Do you really want one of your starters to drop the ball on the mound whenever the manager walks near the dugout steps (re: NY Mets)? Get pissed. Show some attitude. Want to stay in the game. Think you are indestructable. Care a little. We have just as many holes as the Mets and Marlins. Wanting it a little more may make the difference. I’d like to see Pat do the same thing when Charlie decides we need a pinch runner in the 7th with a 1 run lead.
Posted: 07:40 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Greg V.
My thoughts exactly! Like it or not, Myers pitches his best game after one of his “blow ups”.
Posted: 07:40 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Jamie
All I know is we need LaRussa’s crew to hold their lead and beat Florida. If we win tonight, that will put us 3 ahead of NY and 3 1/2 ahead of the Fish. That would be a good start to the road trip.
Posted: 08:09 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Louis
I just love it because most of the season, when I say Myers’ name come up in the rotation I penciled in an L. Now with Hamels, Blanton AND Myers pitching ridiculously well… I’m expecting us to win 3 out of every 5 games regardless of who we’re playing. That’s not to slight Kendrick or Moyer who have both pitched great, but d-bag or not, I’m thrilled Myers is finally showing us why we named him the opening day starter and “ace” of our staff… even if it should’ve been and has been Cole all year.
Posted: 08:16 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Cole Hamels
I’m sort of a self centered jerk too. Over the next few years I will make Brett Myers seem like Joan of Arc.
Posted: 08:31 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Derek
Louis, you consider what Cole Hamels is doing “pitching ridiculously well?”
Last 3 starts:
ATL 3.2IP 6H 4ER
STL 6.1IP 8H 4ER
FLA 6IP 7H 2ER
Call me a skeptic but I don’t consider that “pitching ridiculously well” by someone who we consider our ace by any means
Posted: 08:44 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
I thought Marvin Freeman was our ace.
Posted: 08:48 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Fran
100% agree with that article. This clubhouse needs some fire.
Posted: 08:56 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Fran
by they way….. what ever happened to mike Zagurski?
Posted: 08:57 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T.
sell sell sell. ship this idiot away as a closer right as the season ends. plain and simple.
Posted: 08:57 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T.
fran, chunk had tommy john in april or something. we won’t see him for a little while.
Posted: 08:58 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
i GUARANTEE myers will be gone before the season starts. hell be an AL closer/starter next year
Posted: 09:11 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
what do you think mike? detroit? cleveland? im thinking one of those
Posted: 09:16 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 That Guy
Brett Myers will be the 3rd shift Floor Manager at Fantasy Showbar next year.
Posted: 09:21 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
HAHAHA. hell be the bouncer at show and tel
Posted: 09:23 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
You would think a 98 million dollar payroll (per player avg. 3.39 million) would be able to find some fire without childish temper tantrums.
Disrespect of authority and age is never a positive thing.
Posted: 09:31 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Jamie
Yeah, but at $12 next season, at least he’ll be a well paid floor manager or bouncer.
Posted: 09:31 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Jamie
Sorry…that’s $12 Million
Posted: 09:35 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
show and tel is the dirtiest strip club too, perfect for myers
Posted: 09:35 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Jamie
lol…it sounds right up his alley.
On another note, MARLINS LOSE!
Posted: 09:42 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 steve carlton
brett myers isn’t nearly as big a jerk as i was. he ain’t got shit on me in the eccentric asshole department.
Posted: 09:46 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
unrealistic trade of the day: jimmy rollins and brett myers for conor jackson stephen drew max sherzer and yusmeiro petit
Posted: 09:52 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 Chip
Maybe acting like a prima donna will bring him closer to achieving ROCK STAR STATUS!!!
What a fag.
Posted: 10:05 PM on August 11, 2008
Posts: 0 erik
probably the best post i have read all year
Posted: 10:28 PM on August 11, 2008