"Phillies pitchers Brett Myers and Cole Hamels had a short but tense confrontation in the team's clubhouse following Game 5 of the World Series, according to one witness, words that stemmed from Hamels' recent statement that he was eager for his season to end.

As Myers walked past Hamels near Hamels' locker he said, mocking, "What are you doing here? I thought you quit."

Hamels, the witness said, responded with an expletive.

Before the situation escalated, Myers was guided away by a team official.

In an otherwise happy Phillies clubhouse – they beat the Yankees, 8-6, on Monday night to force Game 6 – Myers poked at a sore topic for Hamels. The 25-year-old left-hander has had a difficult regular season, then in four postseason starts has a 7.58 ERA. When the Yankees beat him in Game 3, an unhappy Hamels said of the season, "I can't wait for it to end. It's been mentally draining. At year end, you just can't wait for a fresh start."

His quote did not sit well with some teammates, apparently, and even manager Charlie Manuel was perplexed by it.

"I was surprised when I heard that," Manuel said. "I was surprised at that. But I don't really understand exactly how he meant that.""