Myers Had Swagger During Key At Bat
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, August 27, 2008 11:51 AM | Comments: 12
Posts
Brett Myers had one of the key at bats among many last night. His strikeout with no outs and the bases loaded in the 13th was, obviously, one Charlie Manuel planned.
Mets manager Jerry Manuel intentionally walked Jayson Werth and Eric Bruntlett to bring up the pitcher spot. It was the right move for Manuel, since the Phillies had already used their best hitting pitcher (Cole Hamels). But Charlie Manuel’s decision to keep the bat on Myers’ shoulders was genius.
“You can follow orders,” Manuel said to Myers when he returned from the at bat.
“They were saying, ‘Let him fake squeeze,’” Manuel said. “I added, ‘No, because Victorino might break for the plate.’”
Myers, as Todd Zolecki pointed out, looked the part in his at bat. He was fired up when he grabbed his helmet. He sauntered out to the on-deck circle, and the crowd went ballistic, as if he was a rock star (of course). That he hopped out after every pitch was hilarious, but in all, it was a surreal moment, and a defining one for this team. The character was out in spades last night.
Posts: 0 NEPA
Please someone post a video of this.
Posted: 11:57 AM on August 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
That was so classic. I couldnt stop laughing because it was such a well-executed bluff at bat. they called the bluff ultimately, but it took them until a full count to realize that he was bluffing and it almost cost them the game. myers was so into the deception too.
Posted: 11:58 AM on August 27, 2008
Posts: 0 NC Jason
NEPA – I also want to see his at bat – some please post!
Posted: 12:01 PM on August 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Phils Phan
[That he hopped out after every pitch was hilarious, but in all, it was a surreal moment, and a defining one for this team.]
I noticed this, too. Three actions defined a guy with a resurrected swagger. First, how he entered the box to begin. This was Jake Taylor/Major League badass stuff. Second, how he exited the box after each pitch, as if he was actually getting signs. (I only wish he called for time at least once.) Third, he did the Burrell Shuffle of yesteryear–the jumpback, even on a perfect strike. That was an at-bat for the ages, if only because of Myers’ masterful selling of the farce that he was a bona fide slugger.
Luckily, they won–or else I (anyone else?) would be bitching that Myers never took the bat off his shoulder.
Posted: 12:01 PM on August 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Julie
Best part was when Brett jumped back, as if not to be crowded inside, but the pitch was a foot outside. Loved it.
Posted: 12:02 PM on August 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
And clearly charlie was like: “ok brett go out there and look at everypitch but make it look good”, so with one out they still have to keep the infield and outfield way in.
Posted: 12:06 PM on August 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Chase Mutley
Need. Video. Now.
Posted: 12:35 PM on August 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Ari
Given Myers’ batting abilities (he’s batting .044 and last had an RBI in 2005), maybe that should be his plan every at bat. Stop swinging because he can’t hit, just try to confuse the pitcher and force him to throw pitches.
Posted: 01:15 PM on August 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Ari
Even better he apparently has a negative RC (runs created) stat. I didn’t even know that could happen.
Posted: 01:17 PM on August 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Gary B
I’ve been searching for video all day of it and can’t find it, I need to see it as well!
Posted: 01:45 PM on August 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Bryan
Ahh! Please someone tell me you have this video. It was too funny.
Posted: 04:55 PM on August 28, 2008
Posts: 0 Asphincter
I have the game on a VHS tape, how would I go about transferring that onto here?
Posted: 05:47 PM on August 28, 2008