Moyer fired up about 2010, leaves open the chance of 2011
The frequent and sometimes alarming news about Jamie Moyer’s health this winter has led many of his fans to assume that the 47-year-old’s career is winding down. And while that may be the case, Moyer does not see it that way. Before an event last night at St. Joseph's University, I had the chance to speak with Moyer for the first time since he was hospitalized with a blood infection on Thanksgiving week. He not only made clear that he was ready to compete for a job in the rotation this year, but he would not call 2010 his final season. “You know, I’m going to leave that as an open-ended question because I don’t know how to answer that,” Moyer said when asked if he expected to retire after this year, when his current contract expires. “It could be (my last season). It potentially could be. But so could have last year. So could have two years ago, so could have five years ago. “The way I look at it, why limit myself? If I would have limited myself at 29, when I was released for the second or third time, I wouldn’t be playing. That was what, 18 years ago? If I would have believed what they said, you know, ‘take a coaching job, and if something comes up for you with another job you can take it.' If I would have followed that route, I would have never known what these last 18 years would have brought me.” Whatever happens this season, Moyer is glad to be healthy after a winter that he called “trying.” Five days after Oct. 2 surgery to repair muscle tears in his groin and abdomen, Moyer was first stricken with a blood infection, and spent three nights at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Then, at home in Florida the following month, the pitcher began to feel ill again, losing his appetite and feeling queasy. “In the middle of November, I wasn’t feeling real good,” he said. “It kind of persisted for a few days, so I decided to take a trip to the hospital. I had planned on coming up (to Philadelphia) anyway just to visit the doc, like two days later.” After having a CT scan at a Florida hospital the day before, Moyer flew north on Nov. 24, and was told by team medical staff that he had an abscess in his left groin. “They hooked up a drain to it, but it really didn’t drain they way they expected it to,” he said. “So now we’re rolling into Thanksgiving, and doctors make plans or they’re out of town. So they said, ‘why don’t you hang here for a couple days, and we’ll see what’s going on when we get back.’ While his in-laws looked after Moyer’s eight children in Florida, the pitcher and his wife spent Thanksgiving in the hospital. “Things didn’t really get better, so they went back in and cleaned it out thoroughly and it ended up being that I had a staph infection,” he said. Moyer then began a six-week course of antibiotics, which pushed a scheduled minor knee procedure to January. Though Moyer said that his rehabilitation and workout had gone well since, he did not yet know if his spring training routine would be affected. “I haven’t really talked about it with the trainers and with (pitching coach Rich Dubee),” he said. “There is plenty of time to talk about it. Right now, I’m doing what I would normally do coming into spring training. I think its going to be a wait-and-see kind of thing.” Moyer, who was angry with management last August when he was sent to the bullpen in favor of Pedro Martinez, re-iterated his preference to start (Kyle Kendrick will be his chief competition for the job). “That’s a choice for the club to make,” he said. “I would prefer to start, because I’ve done it my whole career. That’s a no-brainer. But as far as what happens, I don’t think they’re going to ask me.” More on Moyer in tomorrow’s Inquirer.
Moyer fired up about 2010, leaves open the chance of 2011
Andy Martino
The frequent and sometimes alarming news about Jamie Moyer’s health this winter has led many of his fans to assume that the 47-year-old’s career is winding down. And while that may be the case, Moyer does not see it that way.
Selfish guy.— psu05- Listen to all you Moyer bashers, what a bunch of idiots. He's been invaluable in the development of our young players and gotten some pretty big wins for us. The guy had a great 2008. As for last year, which is all anyone seems to remember, it sounds like he was hurt. I think they should give him a shot to compete for #5 this year and if it doesn't work out then keep him around for long relief and to mentor the young guys. If he's as bad as you say, Kendrick shouldn't have a problem beating him. People have made a business out of underestimating Moyer, and he's outlasted them all. Something tells me he'll surprise you again.
- 1. We could have easily kept Lee. 2. Halladay is not better than Lee - he can prove to be as good - but you can't get better than win every postseason game you pitch. 3. Moyer has no business on this team AT ALL! 4. We could have dumped Blanton and kept Lee for one more year!!!!— Malcolm65
- Uh Midnight Mayor, I have heard from someone very close to the situation that the Phillies want Moyer to back off from the young pitchers. They feel he puts too much in their heads.— psu05
- Don't worry about the payroll. Pat Gillick got Social Security to pick up the second year of Moyer's contract.
Sounds like a MRSA infection to me...could be trouble down the road..— dogman5- Midnight Mayor ... Moyer has been invaluable in the development of our young players? ... Who might that be? ... Cole Hamels? ... Along with Brad Lidge, he may have been the team's biggest disappointment in 2009 ... Kyle Kendrick? ... After a "breakout" season in 2007, the Phillies have not been able to find a role suitable for him ... Am I missing someone?— PhightinPhil
- Doctors act like people are plants....hang in there over the holidays, the nurses will medicate you. If you are still alive when we get back, great.— JonKap
- i have a feeling moyer will have a good year— eagles84
- When Moyer dug up the mound rubber, wasn't that looting? I don't think he'll make it through the year without going on the DL.— EarlKeese
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Guys, Monty/Gile/Middleton were not going to have Cliff Lee + Halladay on the same staff, ever. It wouldnt have mattered if Jamie only signed for the 2009 season and his salary was free this year. The Phillies were not going to allow 2 of the top 5 pitchers in mlb on their staff because of the financial mayhem it would have created when Lee needed to be re-signed after the 2010 season. IF Cliff Lee was the 2010 NL CY Young award and WS MVP helping Halladay win the Phils 2nd WS championship in 3 years, the fans would have demanded that Lee be re-signed at another $20M per alongside Halladay. It was never going to happen.— argonne- Gotta love the haters on this list. Bet against Jamie Moyer at your own peril.— Bake McBride
If he's here in 2011 make it as a pitching coach or instructor.— burholme- Bobbyd24-you are wrong. The Cliff Lee Trade was separate than Halladay. Where do you get your Ruben cool aid?— Dr. Michael
