Expect a big year from Brett Myers
by Scott Butler 4/15/09
Coming into every Phillies season, I am always a little nervous about what to expect from Brett Myers. In his early years, his ERA was generally in the 4.00 range, but he seemed as likely to have a 1.50 ERA as he was to have a 6.50 ERA. You knew he had the talent but just never lived up to it.
He got a lot of credit when hew was our closer, but even then I didn't think he was that special. He said that he loved the "rock-star" status he received as a closer, but I felt that he liked the role because it allowed him to be lazy. I read many quotes of him discusses that he liked being a closer because you don't have to think, you just throw it as hard as you can. Sorry, but that's not what I want to hear from my pitcher.
After losing the closer's role, he came into last season with a chip on his shoulder and quite clearly did not prepare himself because he was still bitter. Not only that, but he lost his fastball. In his early years, he had enough juice on his fastball that he could get away with occasional mistakes, but not last year. At his low point last year, he was even worse that Adam Eaton, if you can believe that.
Then, Brett Myers went through an almost Grinch-like transformation. When Brett Myers willingly returned to minors last year, his success was based on skill alone. Now, he has learned how to pitch. His dominance over the last half of the season last year was no fluke.
I have to take a step back really quickly to remind you what Brett's resurgence last year meant to the team. When Brett returned from the minors, we just had to hope that he wasn't outright terrible and kept up in ball games. The fact is, we needed him to dominate like he did. We won the division by the skin of our teeth last year, so without a ridiculous Brett Myers, we don't even make the playoffs! Brett Myers became a real man last year, and because of that I am a huge Myers fan now.
Back to this year. Besides learning how to pitch, Brett has other reasons to be successful. He can use this season to prove to everyone that can and will be a dominant starter once again. Also, it is a contract year. Enough said about that.
Now that Brett understands his craft, I am not worried about him for the first time in his career. His last start is a perfect example of how he has changed. You knew he was pumped up for the season opener, but he gave up 4 quick runs in the first two innings and looked terrible. The old Brett Myers would have fallen apart, but he took a deep breath, found his stuff, and kept his team in the game.
Expect a big year from Brett Myers.
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