IS BUYING CROSS-COUNTRY SKIS
Brett Myers was told today that his Phillies career is over, the Inquirer's Jim Salisbury reports.
``I officially won’t be a Phillie next year,’’ the 29-year-old pitcher told The Inquirer this afternoon.
In a meeting with general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., today, Myers was told that the team will not attempt to negotiate a new contact with him this offseason. Myers contact expired after the World Series. He said he will file for free agency today.
``Actually I’m not as disappointed as I thought I’d be,’’ Myers said. ``I don’t know if it’s because other things are in front of me, blurring my vision. I’m packing and getting ready to drive home (to Jacksonville, Fla.) tomorrow.
``It just didn’t hit me as hard as I thought it would. I kind of felt it coming.’’
Myers said Amaro gave him no reason for the decision not to attempt to extend the relationship between the team and the pitcher.
``I was just like, `OK, thanks for putting up with my (stuff),’ ‘’ Myers said. ``He thanked me and wished me and my family well.
``I’ll miss the guys on the team and the fans who have supported me. Hopefully I’ll be playing against the Phillies and when I do I want the roughest treatment the fans can give me – when I’m pitching. I’m an opposing player – you have to give it to me.’’
Myers was the Phils’ top draft pick in 1999. He spent eight seasons with the club and was 73-63 with a 4.40 ERA in 240 games.
The righthander had his ups and downs as a Phillie. He made three opening day starts and closed out a division championship clincher. In June 2006, Myers was charged with assaulting his wife in Boston. The charges were dropped. Myers missed several months this season with a hip injury that required surgery. He rehabbed aggressively and made it back for the postseason.
``The last two years, going to the World Series and all, have been exciting,’’ he said. ``Other than that, I’m disappointed with how I did the last few years. My last three years weren’t as productive as I would have liked.’’
Myers is open to working as a starter or a reliever with a new team.
``I’ll just go out there on the market and see what happens, dude,’’ he said.
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