Phillies part ways with Brett Myers

Jim Salisbury of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports today that the Philadelphia Phillies officially parted ways with right handed pitcher Brett Myers. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. gave Myers no reason for not negotiating a contract with the free agent pitcher.

"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 contract with him this offseason. Myers contract expired after the World Series. He said he will file for free agency today.
- Brett Myers, as reported by Jim Salsbury of The Philadelphia Inquirer, on being let go from the Phillies

Myers's career was bumpy one in Philadelphia. through eight season Myers had accumulated a record of 73-63 and a 4.40 ERA. He tossed eight complete games and recorded 21 saves in a unique situation in 2007.

His best season came in 2005 when he went 13-8 and had a career low 3.72 ERA. It was also the only season in which Myers threw over 200 innings. Opponents hit a career low (minimum 100 innings pitched) .237 against him that season.

His personality at times did not seem to fit the organization, with an incident in Boston in which Myers reportedly beat his wife on the streets outside a bar, and just this season being spotted with a black eye that allegedly came form a bar fight during a minor league rehab session down in Clearwater. Just in the past week there was an incident in which Myers was overheard calling out Cole Hamels as a quitter, although that situation may have been blown out of proportion.

It was assumed that Myers would be one of the first players to depart from the Phillies this off-season. Myers had the following to say to Salisbury about leaving the Phillies:

"It just didn’t hit me as hard as I thought it would. I kind of felt it coming."

"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."

"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."

"I’ll just go out there on the market and see what happens, dude," he said.

Despite the sometimes tumultuous times with Myers there is no forgetting the fact that Myers opened three consecutive seasons as the opening day starter for the Phillies. Nobody will forget the clinching of the 2007 NL East title. His legendary at-bats in the 2008 NLDS (and NLCS) will forver be a part of the Phillies franchise's greatest moments.

While many will say good riddance to Myers as he looks for a new team (and somebody will want him) I say thank you for the memories and good luck! I thank you for your service to the organization. We know there is a piece of your heart reserved for the Phillies and their fans forever. You told us that last fall.