PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Brett Myers wishes he used a different word.
Two days after the Phillies’ closer got into a verbal altercation with a reporter, Myers still was upset he called the writer a “retard.”
“I shouldn’t have said that,” Myers said before Philadelphia played the New York Mets on Monday night. “I didn’t mean to offend anybody.”
Myers allowed two solo homers in the ninth inning of the Phillies’ 4-3 loss to San Diego on Saturday night. He told reporters a few times after the game that he didn’t think either ball was hit well, calling both “popups.” When one writer asked him to repeat his answer, the emotional Myers became irritated.
The two exchanged words and had to be physically separated, though no punches were thrown. After cooling off for a bit, Myers returned to his locker, apologized to the remaining reporters and answered more questions. He even did a television interview.
“I was frustrated, but I never should’ve used that word,” Myers said.
The 27-year-old Myers is one of the more approachable players on the Phillies, often joking around with reporters. Whether he pitches or not, he usually sits in a chair at his locker after a game and is willing to talk to anyone. Reporters often gather around him before and after games, and he gets along with most of them.
“I don’t have a problem with any of you guys,” he said. “It’s just one guy.”
Myers is a key part of Philadelphia’s pitching staff. He signed a $25.75 million, three-year contract in the offseason and was the opening-day starter, but he moved to the bullpen in April.
He was 2-3 with a 3.06 ERA and 12 saves in 13 chances in 32 games as a reliever.
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