For Nationals GM Rizzo, hate is a strong word

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Just call Mike Rizzo the general manager who kicked the hornet's nest.

In a column in yesterday's editions of the Washington Post, the Washington Nationals executive is depicted as standing behind a batting cage and saying, "I hate the [expletive] Phillies."

Jayson Werth then supposedly responded, "I hate the Phillies, too."

In an interview last week, Werth insisted he had no hard feelings toward the team that allowed him to become a free agent at the end of last season and didn't offer him anything close to the 7-year, $126 million deal he got in Washington.

In a telephone interview yesterday from Viera, Fla., Rizzo was careful to avoid saying anything that could be taken as a shot at longtime baseball columnist Thomas Boswell. He didn't deny that there may have been some bawdy banter, but categorically denied saying anything close to what was reported.

"As far as the quote, yeah, that was either taken out of context or [Boswell] didn't hear it right," he said.

"What I hate is the fact that the Phillies have had so much success at our expense. I respect the Phillies as much as any team in baseball. Chase Utley is one of my five favorite players. He plays the game the right way, with an edge. We're trying to emulate the Phillies. They play a style of baseball I love. We play them 18 times a year. It's a rivalry. It's going to be a real good rivalry in the future. It's a challenge playing against the best. They're the team we're going to have to eventually knock off if we want to get to the top.

"I have nothing but respect for Ruben Amaro, Charlie Manuel and the Phillies. I love the way they play. We look forward to measuring ourselves against the best."

Asked again if he had said anything close to that, even in a joking manner, he again strongly denied it.

"There was none of that. I don't even remember saying anything like that," he said.

Werth could not be reached for comment yesterday.

- Paul Hagen