And the Dominoes Begin to Fall: Myers Says His Phillies Career is Over

Wow. That happened a lot faster than I anticipated. One of the key pieces of the Phillies magical run over the past two seasons is reportedly done as a Phillie.

"I officially won’t be a Phillie next year," Myers told the Inquirer's Jim Salisbury. Ruben Amaro Jr. met with Myers today and told him his time in Philadelphia has come to an end and thanked him for his work.

"I was just like, 'OK, thanks for putting up with my (stuff),'" Myers said. "He thanked me and wished me and my family well."

"I’ll miss the guys on the team and the fans who have supported me. Hopefully I’ll be playing against the Phillies and when I do I want the roughest treatment the fans can give me – when I’m pitching. I’m an opposing player – you have to give it to me."

Most people didn't expect Myers to be back in 2010 but it just seems too soon to start parting ways with guys. I haven't even come to terms with the season being over yet.

When he first arrived in Philadelphia, Myers, who looked up to Curt Schilling, was thought to be a guy who could turn into an ace for this team. While that never really materialized, he did put in a few solid seasons in Philadelphia.

Myers time in Philly will likely be remembered for the few really bad mistakes he made, the incident in Boston, the head case issues that sent him to the minors in the middle of the season. But ultimately he was a champion in Philadelphia. Philly fans don't forget that.

The Inqy has much more.

Previously: Brett Myers Epic Walk & Shane's Grand Slam Against Milwaukee (2008)

Comments

[MikeG]

Wow. Not entirely surprising, but a little sad. He does have some great quotes:
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/Phillies_wont_bring_Myers_back_next_season.html

[Paul]

It's amazing how fast this off season has started. Resigning of players happening even before the World Series was over. Flurry of trades the day after and now the cuts already starting. It's going to be a long, interesting but fun Hot Stove this year.

[Poster Nutbag]

too bad we couldn't send brett off like pat the bat.

i have to somewhat question this move, however. myers is someone who has closed before and i am wondering if it is wise to let someone go at this juncture with that on their resume.

[theKrisheim]

for being a total douche, what he did last year by going back to the minors was a classy move and something you rarely see anymore from any professional athlete - doing something to benefit the team, not the individual.

[Steve]

Bye Brett, we'll always have Milwaukee. I'll never forget the first pitch he fouled off C.C. and the crowd going nuts.

[yert]

phils pick up Lee's option

[Sak]

I'll never for get his at bat against CC in last year's NLDS. Thanks Brett!

[ron]

i'll never, ever forget the walk. one of the greatest sequences i've seen in my sports viewing life.
he's a real competitor, and i'll miss him.

[Chris]

Tough to see Brett go and at the same time maybe not a wise one unless they still have faith in Madson as the backup closer. Wonder who else is gone?

[JohnnyBaseball]

Love ya Brett!! Just don't sign with the Mets or Yankees!!!

[Bex]

I'll never forget the shot of him on the bench explaining how he was getting hits by closing his eyes and just swinging. Hilarious. Would have liked to have him as a backup to Lidge next year.

[Phillies Go Bragh]

The noise coming from CBP towards the end of "the walk" is prob one of the loudest sounds I ever heard in my life. Best wishes buddy.

[Steve]

@theKrisheim
While I agree that having Myers go back down to the minors to work out his problems was a somewhat classy move, he killed any goodwill that he had created by flipping out on Charlie a few games later when he got pulled. There has always been something with this guy and he never lived up to expectations. I think that all of his negatives severely outweighed any positives. I’m glad to see him go.

[ZJ]

can hamels be next?

[Lou G.]

Just making room for Kenny Powers...later loser!

[Muscles]

"Hopefully I’ll be playing against the Phillies and when I do I want the roughest treatment the fans can give me – when I’m pitching. I’m an opposing player – you have to give it to me.""

awesome line and attitude. It's been fun. Thanx for all the memories!

[BriWilly]

good riddance!!!

this guy was a complete loudmouth douchebag, how can anyone be unhappy he's gone. I could see if he was still talented but thats not even the case, he's over the hill.

[Mr. Bryan]

Thanks, Brett.

Props to Ruben for getting started right away for next year.

[Carl]

Myers was on the mound when the Phils clinched in 2007, right? That season has been somewhat forgotten after the two trips to the World Series, but breaking through to the playoffs after so many years was pretty darn huge at the time.

[will.H]

i bet he'll go to the brewers or giants.

think amaro really said "beat it brett, no pun intended."

we so baaaad

[JoeM]

I agree with the move but I have a feeling that Myers is going to go somewhere and be very successful if he can get some quality pitching coaching. Really all he needs is to stop putting fastballs down the middle and he can be a solid 3rd starter. I would not be surprised if he winds up in Minnesota or St Louis.

[Ryan]

I refuse to boo this man. I love brett myers and will give him a standing O with whatever team he plays for next year

[will.H]

no way, never boo brett. hes an original WFC.

[Bernie215]

Sweet! This just freed up $12 Million in cap space. NOW GO GET HALLADAY OR FIGGINS!!!

[DP]

I wonder why Amaro didn't to try and at least negotiate w/Myers for a low 1 year incentive laden deal. We don't know what Hamels, Lidge, and Moyer will do next year. IMO, it wouldn't have hurt, again, assuming Myers accepted a low 1 year incentive laden deal, to have him around for depth. At the end of the day, he is a decent #3 SP. He wasn't bad in the 'pen either. Let's see how the rest of the off season shapes up though.

[Zack]

As someone else said, this opens up money to sign Cliff Lee long-term.

This leaves Madson, Rollins, and Utley as the only guys still on the team from my MVP baseball 2003 team...haha

[MarkH]

Can't believe it hasn't been said yet. The man's own words, in one of his top 3 most famous moments:
“Go on. [Get] outta here, you fuckin’ idiot.”

[Adam B]

I, too, cannot bring myself to boo this man -- at least not until he throws his first strike to J-Roll.

[yert]

http://www.kyw1060.com/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=968148

please click on this clip for a great Brett Myers memory

[Juice]

What Phillie will Myers throw at first?

[John]

He was in no way worth the money he was paid last year. I would have liked to see him in the bullpen for half his salary, but since that wasn't gonna happen, go on and get outta here Brett Meyers.

Over/Under on how many wife beating comments are made when he comes back to Philly?

[hitnrun]

If you assume, like most of us, that the only thing that matters is the title and how close you come to it, he was worth every penny. No other pitcher on that day at that moment has the stones, focus, and adrenaline to keep that inning alive.

We could have lost that series if not for Myers. Not saying it would have happened, but it was a best of 5 and we won 3-1.

He wasn't great all the time, but hey, neither was Pat. Results are what matters, and he held up his end when every breath mattered. Good luck, WFC.

[tom]

Myers sucked. His time was at an end. It's also time for Moyer to hang things up and coach. Further more I say if Hamels has a shitty season next year like he did in 2009, then it is time to get rid of him. He's an asshole anyway with a shitty personality. Lidge needs to go too if he craps out next year. But getting back to things-Myers sucked. Boo him and his wife beating ass I say. He was the loser in his World Series start and he was a loser this whole season.