Lee on Phillies: 'You kind of like seeing them lose a little bit'
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Lee on Phillies: 'You kind of like seeing them lose a little bit'
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
SAN FRANCISCO -- Ah yes, baseball is not over. They will play the World Series without the Phillies for the first time in three years.
That doesn't mean this series between the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants fails to offer intrigue for those back in Philadelphia. You know, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is starting Game 1 for the Rangers.
Some Phillies, Jayson Werth included, will be watching Cliff Lee on TV.
"I'm interested to see Cliff pitch Game 1," Werth said Monday.
Well, Lee was interested in the Phillies too. He was watching the National League Championship Series. Oh, he was watching closely.
"Kind of mixed emotions, to be honest with you," Lee said of how he watched the games. "I pulled for a lot of those guys, but it's weird, when a team gets rid of you, you kind of like seeing them lose a little bit."
Hoo boy.
"I know that's weird," Lee continued, "but part of me wanted them to win where I could face them in the World Series, too. It would have been a lot of fun."
No doubt, it would have. Instead of Lee-Tim Lincecum, it could have been Lee-Roy Halladay in Game 1 at Citizens Bank Park, with Lee -- a beloved figure in Philadelphia -- on the mound for the opposing team.
Lee said he would have enjoyed that.
"When a team gets rid of you, it's funny how you have a knack for stepping up a little more when you face them," he said. "There's a little more incentive to beat them, and that's definitely the case with me watching the game.
"I was in between. I didn't want to have to face them or want to have to face the Giants. I let that series play out, and I pulled for those guys individually, but I didn't mind seeing them get beat, either, just because they got rid of me. That is what it is."
So, Phillies fans, are you still rooting for Cliff Lee?
Sure, why not?— pizzzmoe- Sure, why not?— pizzzmoe
- Sure, why not?— pizzzmoe
- Still like Cliff Lee??
- What do you expect him to say? If I were him, I'd say the same thing. So, yeah, I'll root for him.— TerryW
- yes— mandalp
- For all you suckers still living in fantasy world; did you really think the Phillies would ever sign Lee, or do you think we have any chance to sign Werth?..Not for nothing, but I'm sure the Phillies will make Werth a good offer, however at the end of the day, it's all about what team offers the most $$$...The offer that the Phillies will probably offer Werth will be plenty enough for him and his family to be set up for life, but I digress that he will take the most money...Oh well
Comment removed.- He's just being honest. Every interview with him showed how shocked and mad he was (check u-tube for an interview with Mikie Miss). I'm just sorry that his quote removes that 0.001% chance he might have come back.— kierenmcd
- Thanks, Cliff for proving Rube to be a Boob.— DameB
- Not understanding this "beloved" Cliff Lee. He kind of like seeing our team lose even a little bit. Well now that I know how he feels about our team I know now who I will be rooting for. Go Giants!— cahris
- Lee is saying he likes the Phillies players...but NOT the Phillies bosses who dumped him.— Bill20
- will you people be shocked when we sign lee in the offseason?— jameseckhouse
Shut up and count your money, Clifford. Geez.— road515- Class act for being uncommonly upfront. I'd feel exactly the same way about a team that didn't want me around. I'll root for him still.— skipintro
