Jayson Werth says he is "perfectly fine" with his standing amongst Phillies fans
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Jayson Werth says he is "perfectly fine" with his standing amongst Phillies fans
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
It certainly looks like Jayson Werth has embraced his role as Citizens Bank Park villain, although the former Phillies right fielder played it straight when he met with reporters in the wake of the Nationals' 8-4 win on Wednesday night. Werth, who was booed before each of his at-bats, incited the sparse crowd that remained in the ninth inning when he retrieved a foul ball while standing in the on-deck circle, deked a throwing motion to the crowd, then tossed the ball into the Nationals dugout.
Here is Werth's account of the interlude, which should be read in his usual dry, amused monotone:
"Well, earlier in the game, I flipped a ball into the seats in right field to a fan and it bounced off her hands and landed on somebody elses lap, and then a Phillies fan reached into her lap and grabbed the ball and threw it back onto the field. So in the ninth, when I got the ball, I was going to flip the ball to a group of kids. Behind the kids were all these unruly middle aged men, who, to me, appeared to be snarling. It was the ninth, who knows, I kinda got the sense that they were intoxicated, but maybe not. So I was going to flip it to the kids, but then I thought maybe I shouldn't, because of the people behind those innocent little children. So I just flipped it in the dugout, and evidently that rubbed some people the wrong way. But after the events in right field, I just felt that maybe it was better to not throw it in the stands."
After Werth hit a two-run single to help ice the game, an interesting scene unfolded as a handful of fans in began chanting "Jayyyyyyy-sonnnnnn" in an attempt at mockery that felt a bit hollow given that the stadium was near-empty and the target in question had just helped secure his playoff-bound team a victory over a Phillies team that is now one game over .500.
"You can't take away what I accomplished here, what those teams did, my time spent here in this town, the endless free meals I got from fans and Philadelphians," Werth said. "It's just part of it. It's not really too upsetting. I'm perfectly fine with it."
True Washington fans would never treat this fine humanitarian so shabbily...if there were any.— dasher- You're telling me I don't exist? How many Phillies games have you paid to attend this year? Or have you decided since mid-July that its more fashionable to come to CBP dressed as a blue empty seat? — ByeBye
- Isn't it time to get over this already? He is now two years removed from wearinga Phillies uniform. He has already "fleeced" the Nationals of $37 million for two relatively unproductive years. Jayson Werth made a very SMART business decision, as did the Phillies. RAJ was not going to give him $127 million for 7 years. The Nats did in fact make him an offer "he couldn't refuse". What is the problem? No one person who feels that Jayson Werth was a traitor would in fact have done anything differently..we all would have taken the money and ran. Phans have a right to boo him and he has a right to want to beat the Phillies because he is NOT a Phillie any longer. This was not like Scott Rolen forcing a trade, this is not like J.D. Drew refusing to sign with the team. This was strictly business.— drhoffman
- I agree. It's understandable that fans are mad at him for signing with a division rival, but little kids screaming "you suck" is an embarrassment to the fan base. Enough already.
— the_anti_negadelphian 
i agree with dr.hoff. i have werth's golden WS champs jersey too, so i'm a bit biased. i don't get the hate. he gave us his best years, and we won. he got paid, and sucked up HUGE payroll for the nats, instead of the phils. he's doing us all a favor. i'd like to wear his old jersey again before the old timer's game in 2030.— Evilvet- Absolutely don't understand the hate. It's Obnoxious already. The guy was an absolute Stud when he was here. He was a key part of our championship team and helped us get to a 2nd World Series......Oh and then UNBELIEVABLY (sarcasm) did what anyone and there mother would do in the same situation.....He got Paid by a higher bidder. Get over yourselves idiots. Jason Werth had an opportunity to take care of himself and his family for the rest of their lives.....Don't know about the rest of you but I love the guy and thank him for all be did while he was here. I hope he goes out and gets himself another ring just like Pat Burrell did— klew
- and here i just thought the whole scene was simply about fans amusing themselves.— phils_tnj1
- Being a Phillies fan, and AT THE GAME, I would say after Werth's cocky attitude towards the fans all night and a "I'm too good" attitude really egged everyone on. From my point of view, he teased the kids then pretty much said F off to a bunch of children. Werth is WERTHless. Everyone knows that Phillies fans are the toughest out there, so if you can't take it, don't come to the games. And the man screaming JAYSON was sitting right in front of me and was actually a Nationals fan. No mockery there..— phillies8626
- Thanks goodness there are others here who don't get the Werth-hate. The guy is one of THE reasons we won a ring. Boo Werth, but cheer Myers and Burrell? Give me a break. I'm all for getting on players to be a part of the game, but booing Werth is classless and uneducated, given his contribution to our 2008 Parade.— Philth
- Good point about Burrell. Talk about "werthless"! — the_anti_negadelphian
- The difference between Meyers and Burrell, and Werth, is that Werth blew off the Phillies by taking the money elsewhere, when the Phillies wanted to resign him. Remember Cliff Lee coming back for LESS money?— SEEK313
- Yawn.
This is much to do about nothing.
Besides, he's in the playoffs, and we're not. So both sides should shut up.
Good for him that he got his $125M bucks. We moved on the day he did.
Bring on the hot stove. Who's on the front burner?????— 24sDad - At this point, booing Werth is forced by Philly fans because the fans realize they will be in the news if they boo.— road515
- Well said Dr Hoff
"Isn't it time to get over this already? He is now two years removed from wearing a Phillies uniform. He has already "fleeced" the Nationals of $37 million for two relatively unproductive years. Jayson Werth made a very SMART business decision, as did the Phillies."— SteveP - Seek313, Cliff Lee wasn't coming here for 60 million less, that's was the difference between the Nats and Phillies offers. Come on, everybody, enough with the Werth hate. Part of the last championship in the city, and you boo him because he wanted to set his financial future? Be mad at Amaro for not offering enough if you wanted him to stay, but please, you're looking pretty dumb when you boo your own city's hero.— mjc1
