PHILADELPHIA — To play baseball the right way, you have to have an edge.
When you look at Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth, his beard and flowing long hair draw attention, but look into his eyes and you see that burning desire that separates him from other players. Werth, who will be a free agent after the postseason, plays with the kind of fire, grit and determination that would be a perfect fit for New York.
He would be a fan favorite, the kind of player who would fit right in with the Yankees. And if the Mets had any sense or money, Werth, 31, would be the kind of acquisition that would show they are serious about cleaning up their baseball act.
Werth is likely to earn more money in free agency than people expect. The estimates range from Jason Bay money ($66 million) to much higher — his agent is Scott Boras. If Werth winds up in Boston, perhaps the most logical destination, the Red Sox will be back in the playoff game.
I’ve kept a close eye on Werth throughout this NLCS. He was in lockdown mode on interview day before Game 1 while everyone else seemed more relaxed.
Yet there are times when you can see Werth is just having a ball out there, such as when he caught a fly ball in Game 5 and threw across his body to try to get the runner at first, who was going back to the bag. Werth had no shot at the runner, but why not take a shot, show off the arm and send a message?
After all, this game is all about confidence, and Werth showed plenty of that in the Phillies’ 4-2 win over the Giants Thursday night at AT&T Park. He made a perfect throw to third to nail Cody Ross and homered to right in the ninth, a hefty shot that gave the Phillies breathing room and another shot of confidence heading into tonight’s Game 6 back at Citizens Bank Park. The Phils trail 3-2 in the series.
Werth comes from a family of athletes. His mother, Kim Schofield, competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials in the long jump and 100 meters. His grandfather, Ducky Schofield, and his uncle, Dick Schofield, both played in the majors. He has an athletic frame at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, and he can hit with power. He has two homers in the series after launching 27 during the regular season, 18 at home in the friendly confines of the Bank. His 13 career postseason homers are tied for the most in National League history.
When Werth was asked after Game 5 if the thought entered his mind that the game could have been his last with Phillies, he said, “No, no. Thanks for reminding me, though.”
Werth has an edge over most players and it’s not just talent. Sure, he’s a little Hollywood, but that’s OK. Another question centered on manager Charlie Manuel’s pregame comment that he would walk through the clubhouse and chat with each guy and look him in the eye.
“I didn’t see Charlie before the game,” Werth said. “Charlie comes through and talks to everybody almost every day. He kind of chums with everybody, I guess you could say.”
How many players use the word “chums,” but that’s Werth. He’s a little different — in a good way.
Werth noted the team motto is “No panic.”
“We don’t get too out over our skis,” he added.
No, they don’t, not with the likes of Roy Oswalt, who will start today against Jonathan Sanchez, and Roy Halladay leading the way. Those pitchers have an edge to them, too. Werth is about to discover it pays to have an edge.
