Truth.
Just in case you were still wondering what sort of reception you were going to give Jayson Werth upon his return, this should help you make up your mind.
In the absence of a competitive Mets team, the Nationals are quickly becoming our biggest rival. They signed Werth and reportedly made a run at Cliff Lee. Their fans are planning to stage a coup in their own ballpark. And now come these comments from Werth and GM Mike Rizzo.
In an article in the Washington Post, Tom Boswell detailed one of the reasons our lowly friends to the south grossly overpaid for Werth: The edge he brings with him.
Boswell recounted an event that we told you about on Wednesday, one where Werth applauded new teammate Drew Storen for brushing him back. Werth walked-it-off against Storen last September and said he would like his new Stanford educated teammate even more if he threw one at him in batting practice.
Shortly after that encounter, Werth walked behind the cage where Rizzo was standing: [Washington Post]
Once Werth got back behind the cage, Rizzo said, "I hate the [expletive] Phillies." The GM then ran off a list of borderline dirty plays and purpose pitches in recent years by the Nats' nemesis. "I hate the Phillies, too," said Werth. Unspoken, but hanging in the air was a new idea for the Nats: So, let's play more like the Phillies: mean, grimy and a little nasty.
Can Werth fill that bill? There's no guarantee. In Philly, he was just part of a whole team portrait with tobacco juice dribbling through chin stubble. His manager's nickname was "The Red Devil," some coaches had a hothead history and Chase Utley, whom Werth emulates, was Mr. Spit in Your Eye. The Phils staff didn't exactly consider Werth, who has his moods, a low-maintenance star.
What a perfect asshole. I wonder what he hates the most- the fact that the team gave him a second chance when no one else was willing to do so, the World Series ring he won, or the fan base that turned him into a cult hero. Which is it, Jayson?
I hate this
These are facts: Pat Gillick took a flyer on Werth, whose career was going nowhere fast after a slow recovery from a broken wrist. Werth made the best of the opportunity he was given, but benefitted greatly from hitting around the likes of Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Raul Ibanez. He won a World Series, put on a big red fist, grew a beard, and wore cool sunglasses. All that helped endear him to a rabid fan base, which, in turn, made him into more of a star than he really is. Now he has a $126 million contract, despite having about $50 million worth of performance left in him. Yeah, there's a lot to hate about that.
Lost in the shock of reading the words that dribbled out of Werth's mouth is Rizzo's accusation of the Phillies being a dirty team. Keep in mind, Rizzo is the same guy who employs Nyjer Morgan. Let that sit in, let that percolate for a minute. Morgan is the guy who was suspended for throwing a ball at a Phillies fan and who started a melee in Florida.
And Boswell's appellations: Red Devil? Mr. Spit in Your Eye? Are they his words, or terms thrown around by the Nationals?
The Phillies first play the Nats on April 12th in Washington. They first play in Philly on May 3rd.
Ladies and gentlemen, your new 2011 rivals, the Washington Nationals- they hate us.
zzz...
Posted by: Mitch Cumstein | February 27, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Hmmm...wonder how real that sentiment is or just trying to drum up a bigger rivalry
Posted by: chris | February 27, 2011 at 11:57 AM
he probably didnt say that but its w/e we are still the best in the nl
Posted by: hemple | February 27, 2011 at 11:58 AM
They'll still be in 4th by the end of the year...have fun watching us on tv in October big guy
Posted by: The Pittsburgh Penguins: Your favorite NHL team would be that good too if they had as many first and second overall picks as the Pens did from 03-06 | February 27, 2011 at 11:59 AM
yawn. is this blogging or rabblerousing?
Posted by: why? | February 27, 2011 at 12:01 PM
Yap yap yap. Player from one team doesn't verbally fellate his former team. Big deal.
Posted by: Hank | February 27, 2011 at 12:07 PM
werth is just mad that we didnt resign him. and then we got lee. it's his fault, we tried to keep him here. he's the one who wanted to leave. if he really does hate the phillies then he should be hating himself.
Posted by: Brian Dutton | February 27, 2011 at 12:21 PM
Return the ring with the hatred sign P on it u fucking unclutch bum!!
Posted by: Bill | February 27, 2011 at 12:32 PM
Even if this is just trying to get a rise out of the fans, I wish I had done my homework before buying my son that authentic MLB Jason Werth player's jersey last year. Couldn't give that thing away now. I think we've finally learned our lesson on worshiping these guys like gods.
Posted by: H Kingsmill | February 27, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Jealousy is a funny thing.
Posted by: Nick | February 27, 2011 at 12:36 PM
4th place? you are giving the nats too much credit here.
Posted by: dmoney | February 27, 2011 at 12:38 PM
What ever, he still has to play the team to beat this season
Posted by: fedx | February 27, 2011 at 12:40 PM
Well I saw this 1 coming...Nationals fyi you r still the Expos to me!
Posted by: SalFromSoJerz | February 27, 2011 at 12:47 PM
Could Werth be the new JD Drew?
Posted by: Tommy K | February 27, 2011 at 12:51 PM
The Nats aren't getting too much credit for maybe coming in 4th. The Mets are gonna be pretty damn bad too.
Posted by: Kraig | February 27, 2011 at 12:55 PM
I bet he isn't "Werth" the $126 mil that the Nats gave him! Besides who is going to hit around him there? Ryan Zimmerman! Morgan! Can't wait to see him hit about .220 w/10 HR and 50 RBI!
Posted by: gmuny2002 | February 27, 2011 at 01:21 PM
because 5th is reserved for the mets my dear friend
Posted by: The Pittsburgh Penguins: Your favorite NHL team would be that good too if they had as many first and second overall picks as the Pens did from 03-06 | February 27, 2011 at 01:24 PM
Dude you're really coming off like a little girl here. Who gives an ish? Are you in 3rd grade? Go play with your Barbies.
Posted by: To | February 27, 2011 at 01:25 PM
I can't wait to see the sea of Phillies fans in DC taunting the Nats in their own park.
Posted by: Ih8Negadelphians | February 27, 2011 at 01:27 PM
Jayson can say whatever he wants. He helped the Phils win a title and he can never take that back. Had they never won a title with him, yeah. But, they won. He'll hate Philly even more as the Nats get POUNDED!!!!!!
Posted by: Dave The Rave | February 27, 2011 at 01:41 PM
O come on, if you're going to write an article like this you need some proof. If Werth had actually said that, it would have been talked about on tv and in the papers, not just some random, nonsense blog where people can make up whatever they want. It's especially difficult to believe any of this because Werth has gone on camera saying how much he misses his team in Philly, and at his original Washington press conference, he said that he would never say anything bad about Philly because he had the best time there. So maybe you should get your facts straight
Posted by: Lindsay | February 27, 2011 at 02:37 PM
Werth can say he doesn't read this stuff, but he couldn't fool anyone.
Posted by: James T. Grey IV | February 27, 2011 at 02:40 PM
phillies dont have any rivals we are to damn good
Posted by: joe | February 27, 2011 at 03:04 PM
Who the f*ck's Jayson Werth?
Posted by: Iron Balls McGinty | February 27, 2011 at 05:14 PM
I'm with Lindsay on this report.....!!!!
Posted by: Sarah | February 27, 2011 at 05:33 PM
What I don't understand is the Pitt Penguins draft pick nickname. Is that supposed to be an insult? It's not even clever in a not-very-clever way.
Posted by: Gonzo | February 27, 2011 at 06:17 PM
Jayson Werth has some sour, sour grapes there. Oh well. Cliff Lee.
Posted by: NickFromGermantown | February 27, 2011 at 06:26 PM
They can hate us all they want! They suck!
Posted by: steve | February 27, 2011 at 07:37 PM
We hate the Nats too!!!!!!
Posted by: jon | February 27, 2011 at 08:15 PM
"Red Devil" isn't one of Boswell's appellations. It is, actually, the translation of the nickname Charlie got in Japan: Aka Oni. It had more to do with his coloring than anything else, but oh well. Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story. Or one for the Washington Post.
Posted by: Lynniemac | February 27, 2011 at 09:45 PM
"In the absence of a competitive Mets team, the Nats are quickly becoming our biggest rival."
Too bad they aren't competitive either, lolz.
Posted by: Ryan | February 27, 2011 at 10:11 PM
This is rediculous nonsensical banter from a bitter fan. I use to enjoy your blog when you would talk about relevant things but lately it has been stupid banter that has no factual basis. I will not be reading your stupid wanna be tmz philadelphia sports edition blog anymore.
Posted by: Justin C | February 27, 2011 at 10:26 PM
even if he did say it and meant it, who cares? its just some lame journalist that doesnt have a better story to write about.. why dont you go to washington and report about how they have two of the most anticipated players ever.
Posted by: joe | February 27, 2011 at 11:50 PM
why do people keep challenging the phillies. we aren't the mets we are going to rise to the occasion and slap the shit out of (insert opposing team here). Jayson should know that better than anyone.
Posted by: alex | February 28, 2011 at 09:26 AM
Nats fan here. Mr. Werth is paid 126M to serve the wishes of his employer, Mr. Mike Rizzo. If Rizzo says he hates the Nationals than Werth will say he hates the Nationals.
The "Coup" is two Nats fans going rogue. Please do not associate most of us with that. Many Philly fans complain that they are lumped into the same vein as the one fan who vomited. I'd hope that latching on to two fans who are seeking publicity for their own nefarious purposes isn't aided and abetted by your continuing links to them to get page views on Youtube.
We're dirty because we employ Nyjer Morgan? Have you seen Lastings Milledge? We were stupid to have Lastings Milledge. We were locked into giving Nyjer Morgan a full season because we had no alternatives in the organization. This year that has been rectified with less than ideal but serviceable platoon options with Werth in center or Jerry Hairson, Jr. in center plus the fliers on Rick Ankiel and Laynce Nix (who could play left and shift somebody like Bernadina to emergency center). Nyjer's got a short leash this year.
I really have no idea why so much energy is spent beating up on the Nationals among the Philly fanbase. We're a 5 year toddler organization and it's really like Arnold Schwarzenegger beating up on Webster or Willow Smith or Gary Coleman or one of the younger kids from the Brady Bunch.
Instead of beating up on the Nationals and planning an invasion of our home park (a really meaningless achievement given that our true fans are as interested in Bryce Harper and minor league games as major league games this year), why not shock the world and exhibit some class and *praise* the Nationals. Dare I say kill them with the kindness?
For the lowly Nationals went 10-8 against your real rivals, the Atlanta Braves and meekly rolled over to the tune of 6-12 against the Phillies.
You have an admirable organization that is Lord of the NL East and possesses the resources from a devoted fan base to buy superior players.
Posted by: Souldrummer | February 28, 2011 at 10:16 AM
BAH! To say the gNats are rivals to the Phillies is like saying the Boy Scouts are rivals to the Green Berets. If Jayson wants to be a bootlicking cur for his moronic general manager and mimic whatever Mike Rizzo said, hey, that's his business. Sounds to me like buyer's remotse has set in for Werth. Not my problem. He made his bed, now he has to sleep on the soiled sheets.
Posted by: ThePhillyFlash | February 28, 2011 at 12:49 PM
Lindsay and Sarah............. WASHINGTON POST REPORTED THIS YOU IDIOTS. LEARN TO READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: guitar | February 28, 2011 at 07:31 PM
STOLEN CONTENT!!!!!!
Posted by: Samuel | March 01, 2011 at 08:19 PM
Guitar, hmm, that's a real legit name. Anyway, i know the post reported it, but they just embelished the story to try and spark some interest in the team and stir up a rivalry. Maybe you should learn to read in-between the lines.
Posted by: Lindsay | March 03, 2011 at 09:17 PM