Brett Myers on his music, bat flips and Cole Hamels
“I write about real things in life. Not these Luke Bryan types who write about sitting on tailgates and kissing girls,” Myers said in a recent phone conversation. “Let’s be honest, that doesn’t happen for the average Joe.”
The former Phillie and 2008 world champion is currently working on his third album, writing his own songs while performing live. Myers has come a long way since learning how to play guitar while he was on the road early in his baseball career. Instead of going out and partying, Myers would learn riffs with Phillies video coordinator and former guitar teacher Kevin Camiscioli. It wasn’t until nearly a decade – and whole career – later when Myers decided to take a stab at writing songs. He was on the disabled list with the Cleveland Indians in 2013 and all of the free time was driving him insane. He started to write about what he knew, and after a few songs under his belt, he reached out to a friend in the industry. The duo wrote a song together and before he knew it, Myers was singing. Something he never thought he’d do.
“I’ve always been the type of person that wanted to master everything. It was difficult and it’s still a struggle to try and become better and better each day,” Myers said. “I told him that I did not want any auto tune. If I can’t do it, just tell me to go home.”
Shifting roles
Myers’ days are now spent writing music and coaching his kids’ travel baseball teams, but it wasn’t long ago when he was riding down Broad Street in the championship parade.
While winning a World Series is the ultimate dream for a baseball player, 2008 wasn’t all flowers and rainbows for Myers. Fresh off a season where he closed out the Phillies’ first National League East crown in nearly 15 years, Myers expected to start 2008 as the closer. It was a role he felt like he was meant to play.
“My mentality was always set up like a closer. I could just let it eat. I could just do what I want,” Myers said. “I think my mentality fit that because that’s how I started. I started like my hair was on fire.”
When he got the call during the offseason that the Phillies acquired Brad Lidge, he wasn’t happy. That feeling lingered throughout spring training and the first half of the season. He said he couldn’t get his mind right, and by July, he found himself in Lehigh Valley to fix his 5.84 ERA and 3-9 record.
“It was all me being selfish. It had nothing to do with them. I still wanted to be the closer,” Myers said. “I did not prepare properly to be a starter that year. It wasn’t the Phillies fault for making that decision, obviously. Lidge went 40-for-40.”
Changing game
Myers has been out of baseball since 2013 and while he misses the game, he’s glad he’s not playing. With recent rule changes and the rising popularity of bat flips, Myers knows he wouldn’t last an inning.
“It’s frustrating for me to watch (bat flips),” Myers said. “I’m glad I’m not playing anymore because if Jose Bautista did that to me, he probably wouldn’t have made it to first base. Don’t disrespect me on the field and I won’t disrespect you.”
Myers was hesitant to give his opinion about the 2017 Phillies, but he’s a firm believer in a team’s mentality being the biggest factor in winning.
“They have to become a team first,” Myers said. “It took us a few years to play for one another instead of playing for ourselves. That’s what I can tell you about this team now. Once they realize they are playing for each other, they will start winning more,” Myers said.
Myers credited himself as a team leader, especially with young pitchers like Cole Hamels, with whom he says he’s still friendly. Myers recalls the reported altercation between he and Hamels during the 2009 World Series as a media-manufactured clash between two different types of people. In case you don’t remember, after his rough outing in Game 3, Hamels lamented that “I can’t wait for it to end.” In response, Myers said “he quit. He went home.” Before you knew it, his words made headlines.
“That’s what we always said, just screwing around. I didn’t know that there was an article written,” Myers said. “Guess who took me home that night? Him. We were driving to the field the next day and I said, ‘I guarantee you that they make a deal about [it].’ He said, ‘No way.’ I said, ‘I’m telling you dude, it has to do with me; everything with me they make a big deal about it.’”
His baseball days may be behind him, but Myers is hoping his days of playing in Philly aren’t over. He would love to play a few shows in the area, setting his eyes on places like the Fillmore.
“Half the people would show up to watch me suck and half would show up to support me. It’s the Philly way, and I love it,” Myers said. “I’m doing this for them if they like it. If they don’t, I’m doing it for me.”
Just as he always has.
