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Sunday, April 27, 2008
Phillies concerned about Myers

Heading out of Pittsburgh early tomorrow morning. . .

Quick preview of what's in the paper tomorrow. . .

The Phillies are concerned about Brett Myers' performance through six starts. So is the pitcher. Myers' velocity has been down significantly from where it usually is. It has been that way all season. Usually, his fastball sits somewhere in the low-to-mid 90's. This season, it has rarely climbed out of the high 80's. Myers says those last few ticks have made him rely more on his cutter, and less on his fastball.

“I haven’t seen a fastball,” Manuel said. “It topped out today at 89. Myers is usually 92-95, somewhere in there. I haven’t seen the fastball since the start of the season.”

Myers seemed frustrated. But pitching coach Rich Dubee said the problem isn't velocity. Instead, it's Myers approach on the mound, as well as his preparation. Dubee said he thinks Myers would benefit from throwing more long toss prior to starts, which he said builds strength and elasticity in the arm. Myers, Dubee said, isn't a big fan of long toss.

Dubee also said he needs to rely on his fastball, even if it isn't as fast as he'd like it.

“I think its as simple as him throwing some more fastballs and him getting out there and playing some more long toss,” Dubee said. “He’s not a real big believer in long toss, and I am. I think that’s one way you develop arm strength and keep some elasticity in your arm. I think its something he’s got to buy into a little bit more.”

Myers, however, said he has been trying to build strength in the arm.

“I’ve been working all season to get it back,” Myers said. “It doesn’t matter how much I run, how much I lift my legs, how many shoulder weights I do, I’m just not getting the zip on the end of it, the explosion. It just kind of comes out of my hand the same speed it gets to the plate. There’s no extra life to it.”

Posted by David Murphy @ 10:24 PM  Permalink | 22 comments
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Comments
Posted by hunsinator 10:50 PM, 04/27/2008
How about Brett shuts up and does what the coaches tell him to do? It's obvious his approach isn't working.
Posted by psuflyers 11:30 PM, 04/27/2008
The last I checked Brett Myers is an employee of the Phillies organization. If the coach tells you to play long toss, you play long toss, Brett. Please remove your stubborn head from you rear end.
Posted by Shabba Rommel 08:00 AM, 04/28/2008
There are too many individuals on the Phillies this year and no leaders. The effects of the loss of Rowand are beginning to show up. Leadership is an intrinsic value the Phillies (and many other Philly teams) never seem to grasp and it shows in the fact that its been 25 yrs since this city has won a championship. Hey Myers, shut up and listen to your coaches....same goes with Howard.
Posted by NeduolCaz 08:24 AM, 04/28/2008
Umm, leadership? How was that leadership helping when we had all of those losing Aprils? This year, we come out of the gates pretty good, have a lot of positives at play, and yet, no leadership is dooming us? I think Shabba needs to shut up and listen...
Posted by Joe in Haddonfield 08:34 AM, 04/28/2008
Sheridan, Zolecki and others have questioned the perception of Rowand as a clubhouse leader. So I don't think that's the trouble. Dubee/Manuel must be frustrated to openly talk about a player's lack of preparation. Myers needs to shut up and listen. He's never been a great pitcher. Career era 4.37 in the NL and a WHIP of 1.35. Nothing special. We expect too much from a .500 pitcher.
Posted by AllDawk_AllTheTime 08:42 AM, 04/28/2008
Maybe Brett is not a fan of any training.... is that why a 20-something guy seems to look heavier every year? Way to take pride in your professional trade.
Posted by chop 09:33 AM, 04/28/2008
Myers is no better than any other starter they have. Hamels is the ace and the rest you get a lucky good game. He's like a gas balloon. He's all filled up for a few innings and then he deflates!!
Posted by mikeb 09:57 AM, 04/28/2008
next person to mention the phillies needing rowand's leadership should lose their ability to post comments.
Posted by SoCalPhilly 09:59 AM, 04/28/2008
Shabba? What are you talking about? Last I checked the Phillies have a 14-11 record with three guys hitting(Utley, Burrell and Werth) and no consistent pitching. So I'm confused how the loss of Rowand is showing up? If the Phillies being leaderless as you say works like this I am all for it.
Posted by roque32 10:39 AM, 04/28/2008
The statement that the Phillies don't have any leaders is partically true. The true statement would be that the Phillies don't have and STRONG leaders. That said, Rowand is definityly missed. As far as Myers goes, it baffles my mind why the organization feel that he is an Ace pitcher over Hamels. Then again, Hamels seems to have a problem with consistency. He has flashes of brilliance and then he gets smacked around. This might go back to lack of strong leadership again.
Posted by roque32 10:46 AM, 04/28/2008
I think the point that Shabba is trying to make is that the Phillies are relying too much on individuals performances. The last I checked that, the Phillies are leading the league in home runs and I am not 100% sure but I'm pretty sure that they are up there is runners left on base. Ironically, if Burrell doesn't hit them home this year, no one will. And the lack of leadership shows in what was written about Myers. The coach has told him to do some long toss drills to work on his elasticity. Anyone who has played sports, will know that power does not come purely from lifting weights and muscle mass. It sounds like Myers has worked on his muscle mass in the offseason and forgot about flexibility.
Comment removed.
Posted by terryharmon 12:03 PM, 04/28/2008
I wonder how much the affects of last year have had on him this year... if you remember he was shuttled from the rotation to the bullpen. Got hurt. And then this year was put back into the rotation. Now all of a sudden he's lost a yard or two off his fastball. Add in that Myers is a head case and stir... and this is what you get.
Posted by John in LA 12:26 PM, 04/28/2008
You're a moron, Philly monkey. Domestic abuse is hilarious. Crawl back under your rock...
Comment removed.
About David Murphy
David Murphy joined the Daily News as its Phillies beat writer in February of 2008. Born in Upper Merion and raised in the Poconos, he attended college at La Salle University before taking jobs with the Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Sun-News and the St. Petersburg ( Fla. ) Times.
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