Like a jilted ex Jayson Werth cannot seem to quit us. Whether lamenting the fact the Phillies could have kept him and signed Cliff Lee, or just generally harboring resentment over the Phils not breaking the bank to re-sign him, Werth just can't keep us out of his thoughts.
Washington Post writer Thomas Boswell suggests that Werth will provide the Nationals with some much needed attitude and mettle. Boswell cites a recent batting practice match-up between Werth and Nats pitcher Drew Storen as proof that Werth is an honest to goodness ballplayer, who is not afraid to get his uniform dirty, plays with intensity, and any and all other cliches baseball writers like to use.
See, Werth hit a walkoff homer against Storen last season. So, when Werth stepped in to face the young pitcher during BP he told Nationals GM Mike Rizzo "He's probably going to hit me. If he does, I'll like him even more". Storen dutifully buzzed Werth chest-high. Werth then joined Rizzo behind the cage and let their Phillies hatred fly.
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Boswell recounts the exchange thusly:
"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 andpurpose pitches in recent years by the Nats' nemesis. "I hate thePhillies, too," said Werth. Unspoken, but hanging in the air was a newidea for the Nats: So, let's play more like the Phillies: mean, grimyand a little nasty."
Later in the piece Boswell goes all Super Bowl Shuffle lyricist/Poochie from The Simpson on us in citing the various skills Werth brings to D.C.:
"But fans should know Werth was bought for his 'tude, not just his taters, batting eye and rocket throws."
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I suppose that in exchange for the $126 million the Nats are paying him part of his job description is to renounce any and all allegiance to the Phillies. Also, if someone handed me that kind of coin I'd be happy to join my boss in hating a division foe who was my former employer. I get that.
At some point though shouldn't Werth take a cue from another former Philly athlete who moved to D.C. and keep our name out of his mouth?