Nationals GM denies comment about hating the Phillies
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Nationals GM denies comment about hating the Phillies
Paul Hagen
UPDATED:
The Daily News spoke with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, who addressed quotes attributed to him in a Washington Post column by Thomas Boswell.
“As far as the quote, yeah, that was either taken out of context or (Boswell) didn’t hear it right.
“What I hate is the fact that the Phillies have had so much success at our expense. I respect the Phillies as much as any team in baseball.
“Chase Utley is one of my five favorite players. He plays the game the right way, with an edge. Were trying to emulate the Phillies. They play a style of baseball I love. We play them 18 times a year. It’s a rivalry. It’s going to be a real good rivalry in the future. It’s a challenge playing against the best. They’re the team were going to have to eventually knock off if we want to get to the top.
“I have nothing but respect for Ruben Amaro, Charlie Manuel and the Phillies. I love the way they play. We look forward to measuring ourselves against the best.”
Asked if the statement was made, even in a joking way, Rizzo said, "There was none of that. I don’t even remember saying anything like that.”
From Earlier:
Last week in Viera, former Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth insisted he had no hard feelings against the team that allowed him to become a free agent last winter, repeatedly saying that it was just business.
However, a column in the Washington Post quotes an exchange between Werth and general manager Mike Rizzo that seems to tell a different story. The key excerpt:
Once Werth got back behind the cage, Rizzo said, "I hate the [expletive] Phillies." The GM then ran off a list of borderline dirty plays and purpose pitches in recent years by the Nats' nemesis. "I hate the Phillies, too," said Werth. Unspoken, but hanging in the air was a new idea for the Nats: So, let's play more like the Phillies: mean, grimy and a little nasty.
It's impossible to tell if they were kidding or serious. But it's at least a possible sign that the 18 games the NL East teams will play against each other this season could be pretty interesting.
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I doubt that the Nats hate the phillies, phils phans sell out 9 of their 81 home games.— flavious27- Rizzo, you're a "Nat"? Your team "plays baseball"? Well, listen...don't be a stranger...keep us up on how you're doing! We can't see down to where you are...— Justin Case
Comment removed.- Who cares? He helped us while he was here, and earned his payday. Let him hate us, if it's true...Doubt it though....— phigglesfan75
- the Nats will always suck, just like the rest of DC— your_mom_says_hi!
- who cares about washington? They suck like the clowns in the white House do!!!— sawgrass
- Let's hope that the Phils are as hated as the Red Sox & Yankees...— 5280philly
- I'm sure 28 other GMs besides Rizzo hate the Phillies too. How is this even news? Cliff Lee beaming Jayson Werth this season...now THAT'S worth reading about, but this is just desperate journalism. Enjoy the rest of your career in the basement, Werth. Go Phillies!!!— Kanayd
- If Rizzo loves Utley so much, will he consider trading for him (for Zimmerman). We can move Polanco to second and be set with a right handed power hitter.— bobcitydoc
I'd hate the Phils for 7 years for 126 million anytime.- YOUR PLAYING FOR THE NATIONALS NOW! Werth, your basically playing for a triple-A ball club you sell out. You could of had another ring, now your team's record will be the reverse of our record. Hey...enjoy the cash. And good luck with no one hitting before and after you in the lineup.— Curt21
- ENOUGH OF JAYSON WERTH ALREADY. GEEZ LOUISE.— ACBaughman
- Charlie Manuel FIXED the hole in Werth's swing. That is the only reason he is worth 126 mill. I can see Francisco/Brown/Mayberry/Gload or whatever combination produce more than Werth this year.
- "It's a rivalry" ... are you kidding me? If it is a rivalry (and that is really questionable) than it's been really one-sided one... and the Nats are even more pathetic than I thought.— Phront_Runner
- Aren't people allowed to joke around anymore without it being a ridiculous National Enquire-esque gossip blog ?— landt
- He will by the end of the year.— maine_mariner
- Why shouldn't he hate the Phillies? He's a National and they're a division riva. I mean, I know he doesn't hate his former teammates, coaches and manager, but when he plays them, he has to work up enough animosity to want to beat the s**t out of them. If I were a Natonals fan, I'd sure want him to say just what he said.— Matt Weiss
- What's this all about? Selling tickets in Washington. They are trying to build a ball club in DC and they've got a dominant team just 100 miles or so up I-95. Not a whole lot different than things were in Philly in about 1998. They are building a farm system. Hopefully they'll soon be putting a competitive team on the field. Then the Mets can finish last. Won't that be fun? As long as the Phillies stay on top.— Al Wilson
- Werth has had an awful lot to say about a former team. He's probably the unhappiest $126 millionaire in America.— orange rhino
- Pathetic that this writer has to create a story because he has nothing else of value, get over yourself. It's like TMZ of sports...grow up already.— meisure
- If Werth really does hate the Phillies, its only because they didn't resign him for more than any other team would offer and he blames them for ending up with a perennial loser like the Nationals.— SteveS11
- Non-story -- Werth has a championship ring and $126 million dollars and he is the new star on the Nationals -- what's not to like? He was a great player for the Phillies and I wish we could have kept him and gotten Lee too but we couldn't and we didn't and that's the end of it. He's still a great ballplayer and this is stupid non-story.— sherry37
- Of course he shouldn't hate the Phillies, but in the "it's all about me" world of Major League Baseball, and in the country in which the game is played, hating the other guy is just part of the spit, so to speak. Wouldn't have meant a darn thing had not the reporter been present. Isn't hate part of the fuel of competition? Ruefully, we enable these guys to be divas, buy their jerseys, pay 4 times the price of going to the movies to watch them, all because we love sports and we love the city. Nothing connects more than possible. The Phillies will face a determined foe 162 times this year. Part of being the red-pinstriped Yankees. Lot of folks going to hate us. Werth at least should respect the fact that all that glamor all about the fans, and the game. These modern players'll never get that.— retzlaff
- Everybody close to baseball knows this to be true. That buffoon of a manager is all an act,used by the Phillies brass to throw off the great unwashed.— Wilhelm Von Humboldt
- Boz has a reputation for making up quotes. Some sportswriters used to joke that his "Dances With Wolves" name was "Hears Voices." There's a good a chance as not that he made it up. Not only that, it fits right in with how he loves to perceive Philadelphia and its fans--dirty and low-class, because he likes to juxtapose that image with his image of Washington fans of being cerebral and clean-cut. What they really are are just soulless losers.— andrewfrombrooklyn
- "We're" trying to emulate the Phillies.
They're the team "we're" going to have to eventually knock off.
I know it's a blog-type thing, but doesn't anyone proofread these things?— tjuliano21 - For those of you saying that Murphy made up the story, it's in today's Washington Post.— phillygirl17
- Even if it's true, who cares? Until the Nats are even remotely competitive, nothing they say matters.— ludwigiv
Werth is just a scorned ex lover- who cares-a non story and werth ,you're still a lowly nat . can't wait to take over they're empty stadium again lol.— jeff40
- The Phils are the enemy, of course he is going to say that. When he comes back to Philly he is going to try and beat us..........but he won't.— Static87
I betcha he gets injured in May retired By October due to injury...— Kevinmac- i like it! considering how pathetic washington sports franchises are, they have to generate excitement somehow. werth is a dirtball, and i mean that in a good way; like my beagle he will dive through the mud for something he wants. i hope the phillies keep that attitude.— lucky d
- bifocals, try using them to read the WAPO article. Werth's been crying ever since the Phillies got Lee back. That must really impress DC fans when their "superstar" still pines for his old team.— mike l
- He's just moody because he's yet to find a good head shop in D.C. to replace Wonderland, a regular after hours shopping destination of his.— The Pack Leader
- This is irresponsible journalism Murph. I think very highly of your writing skills and look forward to your insightful columns but to run with this without getting all the details is beneath you. Leave the gossip bs to the hacks out there report the story when you have all the facts.— Bifocals for the Blind
Sorry Murphy - This is a lame story. I mean, who cares?- His comment to the new boss has a high suck-up value that's all. What would you say?— Wally 24
- Interesting that Werth's new home is only an hour train ride away from Philly.— Wally 24
- oh shut up philly sports media. yr just creating this conflict, just report on what happens in the field. your all a bunch of hacks rejected from reporting the real news— Howie FelterSnatch
- Werth shouldn't "hate" the Phillies. They rescued him off the baseball scrap heap, gave him an opportunity to play, and allowed him to flourish. Because the Phillies didn't "overpay" $126 million doesn't give him a reason to "hate" the Phillies. However, being on the Nationals, he sure shouldn't like the Phillies. We are his advasary now. I liked Jayson Werth as a Phillie and will always thank him for his contributions to our success. He took the money and ran (as most of us would have also). Its all good now.— drhoffman
He's a Johnny Damon wannabe
