Most persons widely known to have used their spouse’s face as a punching bag would consider themselves lucky to maintain gainful employment, never mind earn a seven-figure salary for a baseball team that eventually gave him a World Series ring. That’s not the case with phormer Phillie Brett Myers (above), however, who upon being introduced to the Houston press corps yesterday took the opportunity to unload on his old club. From Philly.com’s Andy Di Martino :
“I wanted to go back to Philadelphia, but they didn’t show an interest, they had other obligations, which is fine with me,” Myers said. He then promised to “stick it” to the Phillies every time he faces them.
Houston expects Myers to be the No. 3 starter in 2010 behind Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez. They gave Myers $5.1 million in the one-year deal with an $8 million mutual option for 2011. That’s cash the Phillies probably weren’t willing to offer at this point, but it’s believed the team never really made a serious offer to Myers.
If Myers was truthful when he said he wanted to return to Philadelphia, the two sides could have made it work — if the Phillies were interested. The fact that they weren’t — even with uncertainty at the back of the rotation — shows the Phillies either a) Had concerns about his health/durability or b) Decided they were finished with Myers’ attitude. It could be a combination of both.
I’m guessing “B”.