I think the problem as far as DeVitto, Javors, and Stegmeyer (sounds like a law firm name) were concerned was the manner in which it went down. On the Hired Gun documentary, Javors says that he learned he was out from hearing a report on the radio in his car while he was driving around. Presumably, Stegmeyer found out in similar fashion. DeVitto (who continued to work with Joel for several more years) said on HG that he found out he had been ousted when he went to board the plane during a break in the tour (the band was apparently flying back to NY to spend Easter with their families) and was told there was no room for him. Obviously, HG only presented their side of the story, but if what Javors and DeVitto said in the documentary is even partially true, that's a pretty shitty way to treat members of the band that have been playing with you for years. At least have the courtesy (and the balls) to tell them face-to-face when they're being given the chop.
I'd be interested to know if Joel has ever commented publicly on the claims that he basically didn't have the balls to tell those guys that they were out. If he has, I've never seen it, but it would be nice to get the other side of the story so to speak.
FWIW, DeVitto came across as the opposite of embittered on the HG documentary. Says he would be more than happy to work with Joel again, wishes him well, etc. He also acknowledged that it was BJ who was writing the songs and whose name was on the albums (although it's apparent that the band members helped massage the songs into their final forms). BJ, of course, did not come off so well in Hired Gun.