Brett Myers is Not Good at Baseball

Brett Myers is an emotional baseball player. Likewise, he inspires emotion from Phillies fans, sometimes non-positive emotions. So let's see if we can separate the fact from fiction. We are all rational human beings, are we not?

Statement: Brett Myers is not living up to expectations.

Verdict: FACT. Brett Myers really hasn't been a good starting pitcher since the 2006 season, when he went 12-7 in 31 starts with a 3.91 ERA. His career ERA is 4.42, with his career ERA+ being 99. Again "average" ERA+ is 100. So, for someone who was supposed to be the next Phillies Ace, being a tick below average means you're not meeting expectations.

Statement: Brett Myers is better suited to the bullpen than to starting.

Verdict: FACT(so far), although a half season's worth of data isn't always reliable, as we learned by watching the career of Mr. Randy Wolf. Last year, as a reliever, Mr. Myers had 21 saves and a 2.98 ERA as a reliever. This year, as a starter, he's 3-8 in 14 games with a 5.34 ERA. His ERA+? 82. He's God-awful. He leads the league in earned runs allowed and home runs allowed. He's terrible.

Statement: Brett Myers is a jerk.

Verdict: FACT. In June of 2006, Brett Myers assaulted his wife in Boston. He subsequently became the topic of this Onion article, and people pretty much forgot. His wife later requested that the charges be dropped, although she never disputed the facts of the case. That's enough for me.

He also later called a reporter "retarded" after blowing a save last year, and had to be restrained by Pat Burrell. Presumably, he would have attempted to punch the gentleman in the face and pull his hair.

Statement: Brett Myers is the worst starting pitcher on the team.

Verdict: FACT. ERAs and ERA+ below:

Cole Hamels........3.36(130)

Jamie Moyer.......4.56(96)

Kyle Kendrick.....4.87(89)

Adam Eaton.........4.62(94)

Brett Myers..........5.34(82)

Wow. Bad pitcher. Jerk. Why is he still on the team?