The Phillies are quick to say Brett Myers has not been convicted of a crime and they're correct in that regard. Where they fall down is in their quickness to remind everyone how important Myers is to the Phillies' rotation and that he must start Saturday.
"I think getting back on the mound will be good for him," Manuel said. "I don't think this is going to be a big distraction. I think [the team] will definitely rally behind him. If they like him, they'll get behind him, and I think they have respect for him."
Charlie, you rally behind someone who is ill or whose house has been destroyed by a hurricane. You don't rally behind someone who is accused of hitting his wife and pulling her hair.
GM Pat Gillick called Myers "our best pitcher," and said, "I think it's in the best interests of the club that he pitches [today]."
What does that mean Pat? Unless you're shopping Myers around (and who's going to want him now), Myers could throw a no-hitter today and it wouldn't put the Phils back in the race.
At the very least, the Phillies should have held Myers out of this start pending their own investigation. Doing that would show respect for the gravity of the charges and also spare Myers from the disdain he's likely to feel from the Fenway crowd today.
Brett Myers may have been bailed on $200, but that doesn't mean he gets a free pass on the mound.
1 comment:
You're wrong - he will get a free pass on the mound. That's the shame of our way of life. Why should a 6' 4" 250 pounder not be able to slug his wife? He will have far more defenders among the idiot Phillies fans than detractors. After all, they may do the same thing. Or wish they could.
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