Brett Myers hopes to make 35 starts for himself, his teammates and the Phillies' organization this season.
But this one is for you.
Myers gets the honor of being the Phils' opening-day starter today. Nine months ago, of course, this would have been unthinkable.
"At one point, I thought I'd be traded," the 26-year-old pitcher said last week in Florida. "I didn't know how the fans would react.
"They could have run me out of town. I'm sure there are still people who don't want me here, and I understand that. I let people down. But the fans who gave me a second chance, I can't tell you how much I respect them.
"I feel like the ones who stood behind me are family. That's what family does. They say, 'You made a mistake, learn from it.' "
Myers made a big mistake, and he knows it.
In June, during a road trip to Boston, he was charged with assaulting his wife, Kim, as a night on the town wound down. The charges were dropped in October, but the incident still impacts his life.
Some of it is good. With the assistance of the Phillies, Myers and his wife went through a counseling program, and the service is still available whenever they need it. Myers says the program has made him a better person, a better husband and a better father.
"Me and my wife are best friends," he said.
But the incident still haunts him in ways he wishes it wouldn't.
Being named opening-day starter 10 days ago was a high point in his career. He couldn't wait to tell his wife and parents. The next day, he experienced the agony of reading the good news.
"I worked my tail off to get this honor," he said. "But every story said, 'Brett Myers, the guy who beat up his wife.' "
Myers shrugged. He understands that the events of June 23 are now part of his life's resume.
"It was the worst day of my life," he said. "I totally regret it."
Myers spoke about the confusion he felt in the aftermath of the incident, how he and his wife weren't sure which way to turn. He remembers sitting in a Boston hotel room, with his wife at his side. He trembled as he met with team officials. Since he was a youngster, pitching had brought so much meaning to his life. On the worst day of his life, all he wanted was to know that he could still pitch. With emotions careening, the Phillies made the decision to let Myers continue pitching. He started against Boston the next day and was booed like an enemy of the people.
