When you look at the career statistics for Jason Michaels in his five or so seasons in the outfield for the Phillies, they're really not terrible--a .291 batting average and an .822 OPS, both higher than those of Jimmy Rollins or Shane Victorino, among others. But his tenure in Philly is likely to be remembered more for two bad gaffes he made than anything he did right. In a game against the Braves in 2004, he bobbled a Charles Thomas fly out over the wall for a home run, and on July 3rd, 2005, he punched a police officer at a nightclub in Old City, getting charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangerment for his troubles.
"The officers, who were working nightclub detail, approached him, and he went into a fighting stance, like a boxer," said police Cpl. Pauley. "He punched one officer, wrestled him to the ground, and ripped his shirt. It took four or five officers to control him." Michaels was out of jail by noon that day, and showed up at Citizens' Bank Park for a nationally televised Sunday Night game against the Atlanta Braves. Luckily (or prudently), Kenny Lofton was scheduled to play over Michaels that night, and he did not appear in the game. "Jason is not a bad guy," said Charlie Manuel. "In fact, he's a pretty good guy. Sometimes you do things to get in trouble. That doesn't make it right. But he's a good guy. I'll talk to him."
Michaels eventually settled with the officer for an undisclosed amount, and he finished the 2005 season hitting over .300 in 343 at bats for the Fightins. However, the season would be his last in a Phillies uniform, as he was traded in the '06 off-season for reliever Arthur Rhodes. Michaels currently gets pinch-hit duties and occasional spot-starts with the Houston Astros as their fifth or sixth outfielder--more a comment on their lack of depth than on Michaels' lingering utility.
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http://www.the700level.com/2009/07/to...
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