Hello, old friend
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Hello, old friend
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Eventually, it will not be a novelty. Facing Jayson Werth as a Washington National for 18 times each of the next seven seasons will erode the memories of 543 games and 2,114 plate appearances spent in Philadelphia.
But some of those moments will stick; the red Hulk hand at the championship parade, the day he showed up to camp with a Grizzly Adams beard, the night he stole second, third and home in one trip around the bases.
Tuesday will be another, the first time the Phillies face the right fielder who came to Philadelphia on a contract that paid him $850,000 and left four seasons later to sign the 14th richest deal in baseball history.
"Fans loved him," Ryan Howard said. "We get a pretty big fan following in Washington and they'll probably be respectful of the situation. I think he'll probably get more cheers than boos because fans will look at what he did in Philly and they'll remember that."
Read Tuesday's Inquirer for some funny quotes from Howard, Charlie Manuel and Shane Victorino.
But for now, do you agree with what Howard said? What will the reception be like?
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
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@Pelti - Burrell wanted to stay, the Phillies mgmt decided they didn't want him back.
I'm guessing the majority of the female fans will cheer, and 50/50 with the male population. No hard feelings here - Jayson decided to take the money over winning and a chance at playoff baseball. I hope he enjoys playing in an empty ballpark and with September callup while in last place!— dankil13- wrong. it's widely known the phillies offered burrell a decent contract the year prior to 2008 that he and his agent declined. the phils then decided he wasn't worth more money and they were proven right when he accepted LESS money to sign with the Rays the next year where he wasn't very good.
- Why all this attention on how the fans will react when a player comes back? Who gives a F**k? Does this happen in other cities? If it does, I haven't read about it.— apreziosi
- I will cheer for him when he is retired. Right now, he is the enemy. I really only boo bad play and lack of effort, but if you are a booer, you boo him. Funny thing happened when I was at a Sixer Suns game when Charles came back. I took my daughter to the game and there was this guy behind us booing him to the nth degree. My daughter asked why they were being so mean to Barkley when he was a Sixer. I said because he switched teams and now plays for another team that is the enemy of the Sixers. She said "Dad, you switched companies a couple of weeks ago, do your friends boo you becasue you are now the enemy." Not knowing what to say, I told her "Well no, but if I was a Dallas Cowboy, our family would never talk to me again." She replied "I would boo you too."— mreeves28
- Worthy of cheers? No. He turned down a generous deal to play for a winner (more money than one person would ever need). He chose greed. No cheers here.— n62
- The guy was 31 years old and it was his one and only crack at free agency in his career. If you're implying that you'd be high and mighty to turn down a $126 million job offer, then you are a bold-faced liar
- Its interesting to think that Werth might not be given a perpetual pass as a member of WFC 2008. Yes he is/was flawed, he gave everything he could.... when he could. He did help win. His previous contract was 850k? I didnt know that and in view of that and his age, I dont blame him for taking the money.. I would have ( and I'd still root for the Phils) This was his one chance to get big bucks.
Long after he retires, I assume the faithful will greet him positively as a member of 2008. After all dont we venerate Clarkie, Barber and Parent and those guys on those 70's flyers teams?
I will be happy to see Werth hit 50 homeruns (won't happen) as long as none come off our staff. I do wonder if the Nats in 3 years might now be a serious team....— Prausch - What is so awesome about this is that we are discussing whether Werth will get Booed at a Nationals HOME game. Not a game in Philly but in Washington. Says a lot about how awesome this fan base is!— Blue and White
- I'm glad we have Ben Francisco.— Clt Philly Fan
- Sadly, if the fans can boo Hamels after 1 start, I wouldn't anticipate a warm response for Werth. To me, anything other than cheers when his name is first announced is classless plain and simple (during the game, boo all you want). If you're a true Phillies fan you should appreciate what he helped bring to this city. But I'm sure he'll get booed because too many 'fans' these days are ingrates and lack class
- lack class? we're talking about a guy who cursed in front of a bunch of kids because some guy tried to catch a foul ball, then werth refused to apologize. yeah, the guy made a mistake reaching for a foul ball at home that werth may have been able to catch, but to not apologize for cursing within earshot of a bunch of little kids? he typifies classless. the guy is a jerk and that's putting it kindly so I won't get censored or banned. he is a great baseball player but a total jerk. let the boos rain down on him.
- Anybody who is upset at Werth for taking a boatload of cash is just jealous.— paolibulldog
- i hope he enjoys the moment when he is cheered. he deserves to be cheered for his hustle and effort he always put out.— pobob
- I will boo him because I am bitter, angry man who has had a life filled with disappointments. So to make myself feel better, I will scream and yell at a guy who decided to work for one company that offered him more money than any other companies.— AreaMan
