Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Gone But Not Forgotten : Greg Myers

When Greg Myers came back to the Jays after a decade wandering the majors, I concluded my welcome with the words "Greg Myers, it's great to have you back."

Let me begin this farewell by saying Crash, it's sad to see you go.

"Crash", as he became known to his teammates and to the Bauxites, had a superb year in 2003 as a starter/DH, sparking the first-half offensive resurgence that gave so much hope to the fans. Sadly, he spent almost all of last season recovering from a severe ankle sprain he suffered in an April game against the Twins.

Myers's 2003 was something to behold. Dave Till said it best in his 2003 End-Of-Season Report Card:

"Greg Myers 2003 season in one word: Possessed"

His first-half tear was so noteworthy that in a bid to earn Myers some All-Star attention, two rabid Jays fans (including our own Thomas Ayers) began a memorable sign campaign, holding up a GREG MYERS OPS 1034 sign which was manually updated in real-time during ballgames. Every time Crash hit the ball, he hit it hard the other way, like some remorseless machine. If you weren't there for those months, let me tell you, you missed something special.

A lot of fans had high hopes for Crash in 2005, when he returned as a backup to Gregg Zaun (whose fortuitous appearance in a Jays uniform coincided with Myers' original injury). Sadly, he didn't get much chance to shine (and John Gibbons, to his credit, has admitted as much). I hope we haven't seen the last of him.

Please share your memories of Greg Myers in this thread.

Posted by Craig B on Tuesday, April 26 2005 @ 09:20 PM EDT.

Gone But Not Forgotten : Greg Myers | 12 comments | Create New Account

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Magpie - Tuesday, April 26 2005 @ 10:10 PM EDT (#113820) #

I go back far enough to remember the green 21 year old trying to fill in for an injured Ernie Whitt during the lost weekend in Tiger Stadium at the end of 1987...

I remember seriously second-guessing Cito Gaston for not playing him against the Twins in the 1991 LCS. Not only had Myers hit better than .400 against the Twins that year, he could actually catch Candiotti's knuckleball. Which Borders couldn't do, to the extent that Candiotti was actually throwing curveballs instead...

But mostly, I remember Saturday September 13, 2003. And Dr Prison Fence soliciting suggestions for the best way to describe the amazing thing we had just seen. Fordin did it justice, too. It was poetry in very slow motion

Rob - Tuesday, April 26 2005 @ 10:53 PM EDT (#113827) #

I have to go with the inside-the-parker, since I don't remember Myers from 1987.

Well, what do you want? I was six months old.

That Greg Myers OPS sign was absolutely brilliant, though. I remember John Cerutti once looked Myers' OPS up during the fifth or sixth and said something on TV like, "Get an usher to tell those guys they made a mistake -- it's 1.028, not 1.034!" If nothing else, that sign educated many viewers about OPS, because Cerutti always explained what OPS was when the sign made it on camera.

Coach - Tuesday, April 26 2005 @ 11:09 PM EDT (#113831) #

As someone who loudly applauded Myers' return to Toronto (see the thread Craig linked above) and predicted in my ESPN column that he would have a career year in 2003, I was devastated by his unfortunate injury last spring. It's hard to imagine that any team will sign him to a major league deal, or that he'll accept a minor-league assignment from another organization, so this might be the end of the line. Of course, in baseball, youneverknow -- maybe Greg likes Las Vegas and the Dodgers can convince him to get the swing (and the leg) back in shape there.

I'm sad to say farewell to Crash, but will cherish great memories of that fantastic homecoming season, not the least of which was his inside-the-park gallop, which rivalled the Kentucky Derby as the most exciting two minutes in sports.

Whatever his future plans, I wish the big fella the best of luck.

Named For Hank - Tuesday, April 26 2005 @ 11:15 PM EDT (#113833) #

I'll miss the big fella. That inside the parker was a scream, especially when we all realized he was going to try to get home from third and we all leapt to our feet.

That ridiculous, cheap looking "reproduction" blue v-neck Jays jersey that I scored off of eBay (basically, it's a v-neck t-shirt with the old Blue Jays logo heat pressed onto it, though it does have a Russell Athletic / MLB Genuine Merchandise stitched tag that's faded to almost unreadability) has the number 28 on the back of it. I randomly picked it out of the closet and wore it to work today, before I heard the news.

VBF - Tuesday, April 26 2005 @ 11:25 PM EDT (#113837) #

My best memory of Crash came in some August game against the D-Rays. I had scored those "In the Action" seats from the "G.M. In the Driver's Seat" promotion and was delighted when Crash hit a three run bomb to put us ahead.

greenfrog - Wednesday, April 27 2005 @ 12:08 AM EDT (#113840) #

I liked Myers a lot. He was a solid pickup for the Jays the second time around.

rtcaino - Wednesday, April 27 2005 @ 05:20 AM EDT (#113846) #

Well if you ever read this, Crash, I would like to thank you for, and congratulate you on, a fabulous career.

In the immortal words of Michael Jordan/ Spike Lee/ that Nike commercial:

"Michael Jordan I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying"

Good on you.

kpataky - Wednesday, April 27 2005 @ 08:11 AM EDT (#113849) #

My son and I just met Mr. Greg Myers this past Friday at the Welcome Home Luncheon for the Jays. My son went up to him to ask him to sign his baseball that he was getting the team to sign, and Greg was like "hey there little buddy, what's your name?" They had a little conversation about the positions my son plays in Little League - he was a real nice guy. Sad to see him go...

Four Seamer - Wednesday, April 27 2005 @ 08:43 AM EDT (#113850) #

I had high hopes for Myers when he first came up with the Jays, and though the better part of his career was spent in other cities, I was always glad that he was able to fashion a great career for himself. When it all came full circle for him in 2003, I couldn't have been happier for any player.

It's a shame his time in Toronto has come to an end like this, but there's no use crying over spilled milk. Best of luck with the next chapter of your life, Crash, whether it's in baseball or beyond. You will be missed by this fan.

kpataky - Wednesday, April 27 2005 @ 09:13 AM EDT (#113851) #

Tim Whittaker was activated from the New Hampshire DL on the 21st and Jose Umbria was placed on it. I noticed this morning, the Fisher Cats made two more roster moves. Ismael Ramierez was placed on the DL with a right hand injury (which means Josue Matos will make the start today in his place). The second move was the removal of Tim Whittaker from their roster web page. I am assuming he's on his way to Syracuse to be the backup to Andy Dominique. Now New Hampshire needs a backup catcher. Umbria can come off the DL Friday I believe.

GregH - Wednesday, April 27 2005 @ 10:21 AM EDT (#113855) #

My sons and I met Greg Myers on June 28, 2003 at one of the Chevy dealership autograph sessions. He was terrific with my boys and struck me as the type of guy that you'd love to grab a beer and talk baseball with. We did that for about half an hour (sans beer) at the car dealership and had a wonderful time. Bauxites may recall that was the day the infamous "White Jays" article appeared - and Myers was stunned by it, to say the least.

I have pictures from that day and if anyone wants to help me with posting them, drop me an e-mail.

We were at the Dome for the in-the-parker and shouted ourselves hoarse as GM made his loooong way around the bases!

He will be missed - as much for his temperament and experience as for anything else.

Does anyone know if Myers has shown any interest in or aptitude for coaching? It seems the Jays have a vacancy at the moment...

JaysFanInCT - Wednesday, April 27 2005 @ 04:41 PM EDT (#113909) #

My best memory of Crash was from the 1992 Canada Day game (I believe against Texas). The Jays blew a late lead, but Crash hit a double that rolled to the wall scoring Derek Bell all the way from first to win the game. I think I have my facts straight as it was a long time ago, but it was a good win for the Jays as they headed toward their first title.

You're a true Blue Jay, Crash, and you'll be missed.

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