One uncomfortable trend that has popped up in this series is fan booing when Ken Griffey Jr. has been walked. We all know Griffey is one swing away from his 600th career home run. Last night in the eighth inning Myers walked Ken Griffey Jr. He had just lost his no-hitter and was battling to keep it a one-run game.
Myers had this to say to David Murphy:
“It kind of irritated me a little bit. I just don’t understand. I know they want to see a home run hit, but not in a tight game like that, especially (Tuesday) and (last night). They should be pulling for us. Yeah, he’s going to make history and hit a home run, but if he does it here or he doesn’t, he’s going to do it at some point. You’re supposed to be here patting us on the back. Believe me, I tried to go after him. I wasn’t pitching around him. I’m not scared of any hitter.”
Myers is absolutely correct. What’s with these fans? So Ken Griffey Jr. hits his 600th home run at Citizens Bank Park while you’re there. What are you going to do? Tell everyone you know you saw it?
I was at the game where Jim Thome hit his 400th home run (oddly enough, against the Reds). Did I parade around after the game and said I saw it? No, I didn’t.
Murphy said the fans are booing the situation, not the player. I don’t care. The situation involves Myers and is occuring at a high-pressure point of the game, where a win or loss can be decided.
Memo to fans: Stop booing Phillies pitchers. Myers pitched the best game of his season (and one of his best ever) and you boo him because of a stupid milestone? Get your heads on straight.