35 Reasons to Believe

The Phanatic Magazine continues its preseason coverage of the Phillies, profiling one player per day to get you set for the 2007 campaign. Our 35 straight days of Phillies coverage kicked off on February 25th, and will continue to roll until Opening Day on April 2nd. Then we will hand it over to Michael Rushton, who will provide an in-depth season preview before the first pitch is dealt.

DAY 27: Brett Myers

By Jared Trexler
The Phanatic Magazine

Fiery to the point of detriment and fatigued due to excess baggage, the old Brett Myers would have moaned when skipper Charlie Manuel arose from the dugout steps to make a move to the bullpen.

The new Brett Myers -- the one once removed from a domestic dispute turned physical, has a new outlook on life, a new perspective on his career and a brand new body image, shedding 25-plus pounds in the offseason.

The new Myers, a man who could double now as a Domestic Hotline and L.A. Weight Loss spokesperson, strongly believes he is on the verge of realizing his untapped potential.

That flowing talent likely leads to the top of the Phillies rotation and the honor of starting the club's Opening Day contest on April 2nd versus Atlanta. It's an honor Myers has earned with service to the team, a polished Spring on the mound and in the weight room and a gradual ascent to the top of the team's food chain.

Speaking of food -- Myers doesn't eat after 8 p.m. No late night meals of pizza and beer. No midnight hoagie runs. He admits to still eating junk food from time to time, but once the summer sun sets the refrigerator stays closed.

Myers was a workhouse down the stretch last season, finishing 5-2 in his last 10 starts while punching out (not literally) 70 batters in 65 innings. Yet, in the past, for every flash of brilliance, there was an equally bright glimpse of immaturity.

Pouting when taken out of games; surrendering a bloop single then serving up a hanging curveball to the next batter in frustration. He looks flat out un-hittable at times, then throws a 90-mph meatball to the opposing pitcher.

Despite the mental lapses, Myers won a combined 25 games over the past two campaigns with ERAs under 4.00 each season. But, while nice, those aren't "ace" numbers -- 17 wins, three or four complete games and an ERA hovering around 3.50.

He even has developed an outspoken team-first attitude, giving beat reporters a stir earlier in camp by proclaiming he would close if that's what the team needed. It started a slew of stories about the possibility, but alas, Myers is where the Phillies want him to be.

At the front of the best starting rotation in the National League East. And you want to add fuel to the fire?

Myers doesn't really care for Jose Reyes, Carlos Delgado, David Wright...

"I hate the Mets," he stated several weeks ago in regards to questions surrounding Jimmy Rollilns' "We are the team to beat..." proclamation.

If Rollins is to be proven prophetic, the Phillies need a monster season from Myers.

The new one.

Tomorrow: Wes Helms