Rollins After Benching: ‘Oh Well’
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Thu, July 24, 2008 05:30 PM | Comments: 144
Posts
Jimmy Rollins told his side of the benching story to reporters today. David Murphy and Todd Zolecki both have it, but Zolecki made it a nice, neat Q&A:
Q: What happened?
A: I showed up after the bus, a little bit about an hour before the game.
Q: Why?
A: You can say traffic, but that really doesn’t change anything.
Q: Disappointed?
A: No, I mean, it’s the same thing I do all the time. I usually leave about 10 minutes after the bus as usual if I drive myself, but you can’t change lights and stuff. Oh well.
Q: Did you understand?
A: Well, we’re not going to agree on this one. I agreed with him last time, but we’re not going to agree on this one. I think he understood that, and I understood it. But he’s the manager. He has to set a precedent for certain players and you’re expected and held up to those rules, and that’s fine.
Q: If you don’t agree, can you get past it?
A: Am I going to let it bother me? No, it’s already done. Me and Charlie spoke about it. It’s done.
Q: Was part of the decision that you’re a leader?
A: That was 100 percent of the decision. That was the complete decision. As I said, I understand. That’s part of it.
So why does Rollins drive himself and elect not to take the team bus? Are there other players who don’t get on the bus? Maybe it’s not a big deal (it’s a bus ride), but a team leader should be with his team, I think. That is, since he calls himself team leader.
Also, they are in New York. A little different taking on traffic in New York than, say, Cincinnati.
Here’s the bottom line: Rollins is supposed to be the leader. He’s the one who said they were the “team to beat” in 2007. He’s the one who predicted 100 wins in Spring Training. He’s the one everyone looks to for answers. Nobody else speaks like he — Utley rarely talks, Howard keeps to himself, Burrell chooses to be a supporting player, Myers is too abrasive, Hamels is too cocky. Rollins is supposed to be the true leader.
Instead, he’s flying by his own rules and breaking Charlie Manuel’s only two rules (be on time, run it out). We all brushed the baserunning issue off because it was the first time Rollins did anything so dumb, and yeah, the Phils were winning then. But in the middle of important games, when your team is mired in poor play, Rollins must be called out thoroughly on this one.
Suddenly Rollins looks selfish. And suddenly the entire team looks selfish, uninterested and soft. When we look at Rollins, we look at the team. We’ve been conditioned to see the team through his eyes. And right now this team looks utterly disgusting.
Posts: 0 Geoff
Well stated. I was referring to Halladay, yes. They really need him desperately. If we got halladay then we become the automatic favorites in the division again. then you can turn around and trade carlos carrasco as a package for an outfielder and not even bat an eye.
then you got
halladay
hamels
blanton
moyer
kendrick
this year, and
halladay
hamels
blanton
happ
kendrick
next year. brett myers isnt in either of those rotations for a reason.
Posted: 09:10 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
I was surprised that there were people on here thinking this is not a big deal.. maybe if its a game against the Nationals or something, but a game against the Mets.. you show up an hour late ??
Jamie Moyer gave an interesting interview yesterday and made some comments about how players need to hold themselves accountable.. being a leader means being a leader in the clubhouse, on the field, AND off the field..
Is the issue over.. yes, but the bigger issue is that Rollins was sitting in the rubber match vs the Mets. And Bruntlett had a nice game, but Rollins needs to lead this team… he runs his mouth, and then is nowhere to be found this season.
And for the dude that compared Rollins and David Wright for MVP…. Wright did not deserve that Gold Glove last year… Feliz, Ramirez, or Chipper Jones all should have taken it over him.. and the only legit player that could have won MVP over Rollins was Holliday, who I said before, probably should have won it last year cause they made the playoffs too
Posted: 09:18 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
RJ The Rays are a very different team and they have brough specific veterans in for their leadership which is something we do not have outside Moyer.
We are not in a position to trade Rollins and although Toronto would be a trade partner in that situation we might be better looking to the Dodgers and package headed by Billingsley or Kershaw. Healthy everyday shortstops with solid D and offensive tools are at a premium at the moment and although I think Rollins would be great trade bate to electrify the rotation and land address a couple of other areas, it’s not going to happen. As for Cole being more animated, that would be a terrible mistake. Look at Sabathia’s first start with the Brewers compared to his last 3, a bit of emotion on the mound can add to a performance but that’s where it has to stop. Starting pitchers have to be prepared, attentive of their body and focused and their leadership has to come from leading by example and being there in the dugout to help their team-mates. Veteran presence carries far more possibilities than vocal leadership in baseball and it’s the everyday guys that need to keep taking the field in the right way.
As I’ve said before we need to leave every game having left the other team beaten and bruised whether we win or loose. We need to start doing those little things: running the base paths harder, working the starting pitchers and getting through the opponents bullpen early in a series, chasing down the line to first on a probable out like Charlie demands. Even in game 1 against the Mets in the 9th Howard could have made it to 1st on Feliciano’s error but he wasn’t hustling. Players will get hot and they’ll slump like Utley but you respect the game and it’ll come around, you don’t respect the game and the rules of the clubhouse like Jimmy and all that negativity will filter through.
No matter the short-term cost I hope Charlie sits Jimmy untill his pleading to get out there but it isn’t going to happen,
Posted: 09:21 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
*apologies for the typo TJ
Posted: 09:22 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Can we stop with the Roy Halladay talk… we’re not getting him and you’re making people depressed because of it
Posted: 09:23 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Its not “cool” to hustle and give it your all… it looks so much cooler when you stand there and pose and stare and point.. THAT is how you make it on SportsCenter.
Posted: 09:25 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
Nicely said Don, same with the Holliday talk too. Also the talking down of Moyer is depressing too, he may not be an inning eater but he is the guy responsible for a productive Kendrick and Cole becoming an ace, his presence in the clubhouse cannot be matched and if he plays on and isn’t re-signed then the same thing will happen to the pitching thats been said has happened from Rowand not being in the outfield.
Posted: 09:26 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
Oh Aaron Rowand, we hardly knew ye.
Rollins act as grown old.
Posted: 09:28 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
There’s no reason to trade Rollins. Thats assanine. We just need someone who is a team leader instead of him. Its pretty simple I think.
Posted: 09:30 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Rob E.
I am not calling for a Rollins trade but the Blue Jays have made it known that they are looking for an MLB ready short stop.
I would definately pull the trigger on a Carrasco, Golson, Rollins trade. Then extend Holladay immeadeately. He is increddibly underpaid and also is probably the most underated pitcher of the last 10 years. I really dont think people realize how good he is.
Posted: 09:35 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
I think there would be no defensive dropoff with jason donald in there because rollins’ defense has slipped too. its time for him to go. im going to stick by that and im not going to stop promoting that idea until the trade deadline passes.
ryan howard finally took his struggles seriously and turned his season around. now its almost august and jimmy has numbers no better than geoff jenkins!!!!!
and dont give me this middle of the race garbage. this team is DEAD, totally lifeless. theyre not winning anything unless something SHOCING and HARSH is done by the general manager to get their attention.
Posted: 09:38 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Roy Halladay is amazing. im not going to stop pumping that move.
he has a VERY good sinker. hed own CBP and hed own that NL
Posted: 09:41 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Scheity
Rollins won’t get traded. That isn’t how this business works.
I just hope Manuel and he had one of those Jake Taylor-Rick Vaughn moments from Major League last night, where Manuel tells him that until he gets his shit together, he’s no good to him or the team.
Then Rollins comes out with lightning bolts cut into his hair and glasses with skulls on the bridge of the nose. That would be the ideal option, I think. Yeah, definitely skulls.
Posted: 09:42 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
I know they usually go for prospects. whens the last time a true blockbuster happened?
Posted: 09:44 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Why on earth would the Blue Jays trade Roy Halladay… one of the best pitchers in baseball over the past 10 years.. for Rollins, Carrasco, and Golson…
Geoff, Rollins isn’t going anywhere… he’s still a hell of a player, great defender, steals bags, and gives at least SOME swagger…
Posted: 09:45 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Its not called swagger if you dont back it up, and he hasnt. When you dont back itup its called being an asshole, which is what he is. Roy Halladay asked to be traded the other day. It was all over Sportnet canada.
Posted: 09:47 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
Rob: Rollins, Carrasco and Golson… I’d expect Rios to come to Philly with that package, it would be robbery sending the reigning MVP, top pitching prospect and top outfield prospect who would be included on the major league roster of many teams.
Halladay/Rollins would be like the A-Rod/Soriano deal with a lesser prospect or two accompanying the lesser player. (hypothetically as it’s not going to happen just like the Toronto deal won’t) We could expect a deal from the Dodgers to include Billingsley or Kershaw and Kemp with couple of mid-level with upside prospects swapping ZIP codes in the deal.
Posted: 09:47 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
What this team needs…
A GOOD ON-FIELD BRAWL !!!
you heard it here… they should have nailed someone for Reyes acting like a clown, and Im pretty sure that a brawl would bring this team together in a hurry!
Howard wanted to kill Josh Beckett a few years ago, so you know he’s down.. Burrell is a monster.. you know Dobbs can hit..
Posted: 09:47 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
Halladay could be prized away as he’s not happy with how things are being done up in Toronto but you don’t offer a star plus top prospects for anyone, the league would probably veto that deal as it’s so one sided.
Posted: 09:49 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Thats a good call. They havent intentionally beaned someone in ages. I wouldve beaned Reyes. Sent rudy seanez or clay condrey out there and had him throw it at his knees.
Posted: 09:50 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 LetsGoMets!
The Blue Jays and Halladay are working on an extension. They aren’t trading him, get a clue.
Posted: 09:50 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 James K.
You Phils fans are in a dreamworld. Rollins for Halladay!!! What a joke!
As if the Jays would be ridiculous enough to trade one of the top 5 pitchers in baseball for a guy with an OBP of .332 making $8 million. This is comical.
Also, maybe Wright didn’t deserve the Gold Glove last year (it’s a pretty worthless award, as Derek Jeter and Rafael Palmeiro are past recipients) but Rollins didn’t deserve it last year either. Regardless, Rollins winning MVP last year was a complete joke and everyone (outside of Philly) realizes it.
Posted: 09:51 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
The Jays were working on an extension but the reports out of Toronto suggest things have gone sour there.
Posted: 09:52 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Really? you must not read the canadian sports news
Posted: 09:52 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
Come on James, Tulo might have been a valid recipient but Rollins was very good defensively last year, there isn’t a respected writer out there that didn’t think he was and I challenge you to find a respected writer who has openly said Rollins should not have won the GG because of overrated defense.
Posted: 09:54 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Lewisauce
It’s becoming clear that the biggest off-season mistake was not the failure to acquire Lohse (or any other SP). It was the failure to retain Aaron Rowand. I’m not sure how we could’ve made that work money-wise, but the consequences of it are clear now.
Bruce: Charlie has two rules: be on time, and hustle. Rollins broke Rule No. 1 (after breaking Rule No. 2 two months ago), and then said he basically thought he didn’t do anything wrong.
As an isolated incident, even that would be OK. But consider that:
— There has been a noticeable drop in his hustle this year
— There has been a noticeable drop in the entire team’s hustle this year (with exceptions)
— Too many hitters, lead by Jimmy, are “doing their own thing” instead of playing to the game at hand
— The entire offense has been in an awful slump/funk
— We are wasting good start after good start by Hamels/Moyer
— Jimmy would be forgiven if he were hitting .296 and tearing it up on the bases, but his bat has been awful
— He DID break Rule No. 1 earlier this year.
If I told you last year at this time that Jimmy Rollins’ biggest problem in ’08 would be a lack of hustle, you’d all say I was nuts. And you’d be right. My point is, how did this guy go from Pete Rose-esque in his attitude and determination to Jose Reyes-esque in one off-season?
I don’t know how it happened, but it did. Charlie (and Jimmy?) have to figure out a way to fix it. If they can’t, then Gillick fixes it — with a blockbuster trade.
Posted: 09:55 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
i actually wouldnt care if they moved rollins for some mlb-ready prospects. id be totally ok with that. it would send a very very loud message to the clubhouse that they better get their shit together.
Posted: 09:55 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
He got too big-headed. thats right on lewisauce.
this is a PATTERN peeps, hes been doing this all year. ive seen him in his old for like ONCE this year. he went 4-4 and stole some bases a week or so ago and thats the only spark ive seen out of him all season. clearly a one time thing.
Posted: 10:00 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 John
the met fan aside, you people are typical idiot phillies fan, ” o Jimmy’s having an off year, trade the a-hole. how dare he have a bad year” get off your god damn high horse. you do realize that the phils were in first place for about a hundred more days than they were last year, take a deep breath and realize that hey, even if they have been playing like crap, they are ONE, UNO, 1 game out of first with two whole months to play
of course if you idiots ran the Phils, we’d trade Jimmy cause “he’s an ass” trade Ryan cause look at all those strike outs and start Coaste even though their are seniors in the public league who are better gloves than he is
Posted: 10:02 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Rob E.
NJ: I honor your opinion but Honestly I think Golson is awfully overated, the guy K’s all the time. Also Halladay isnt getting traded, I am just having a cream dream about the phils getting someone that good
Also I agree this team needs a good rumble to wake it up.
Especially Tatis needs an ass whop’n. He is so cocky and he was out of baseball for two years. he should be humble and if not, then we humble him with a fastball to chin.
Would Nolan ryan stand for that shit. NO. You tried that on him, he would throw at you once a game for the rest of your career.
Posted: 10:02 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
dont you think for one second that pat gillick wouldnt hesitate to trade him out of here for some prospects.
this team loves dumping salary and they havent done it in midseason for a very long time and theyd love to dump some salary and lay down.
Posted: 10:04 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Nolan Ryan was like the only starter i consider better than Steve Carlton, like ever. i loved it when he beaned people at age 50 and then whooped their ass right after it.
Posted: 10:07 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Lewisauce
I like Don M.’s suggestion. A brawl.
Reyes should have had a fastball thrown at his eye. L.A. said it best: “Somebody needs to plant one in his neck.”
Seanaz is the guy. I’m telling you he’s a sociopath. We need to put that to good use.
Posted: 10:08 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Then why did all the sportswriters outside of Philly all vote for Rollins… mets fans are homos
Posted: 10:11 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
I read Geoff saying Roy Halladay would own the NL. I couldn’t agree more. He already pitches in the best hitting division in baseball. He would move to the NL and be the best pitcher of all time. Santana moving to the NL wasn’t AS big of a deal because the NL East hitting wise is probably as good as the AL Central. You never know, maybe Halladay would like it over here and want to stay. Maybe he’ll sign for cheap. He seems like the kind of guy that would take a paycut to play for a contending team. Halladay-Hamels could be the best 1-2 punch ever. God, imagine this in the playoffs.
Halladay
Hamels
Moyer
Kendrick/Myers/Happ/Blanton
That rotation would go up against Zambrano/Dempster/Harden/Lilly any day.
I’d even take Halladay/Hamels over Webb/Haren or Sheets/Sabathia
Posted: 11:07 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
yeah i think you have to inquire about him AT THE VERY LEAST. just see what they want. you never know, it cant hurt to try. but shame on them if they ass around again. gillick has already been caught asleep at the wheel once. after they failed to get sabathia he got blind-sided when the cubs turned right around and got harden out of nowehere. he better not get caught again. dont you dare let some other NL team get him. the mets have no shot at him, niether do the braves or marlins, so if the phillies step up and get it done, with rollins or without him, then they automatically win the division providing they also get that outfielder
Posted: 11:11 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
I thought that bullsh!t was all settled, how did Gillick fall asleep on the Sabathia trade.. they wanted we didn’t have.. and he’s going to become a Free Agent anyway.
Harden has been injured his whole career.. so that wouldn’t have been a smart move either, because what they needed more than anything was someone steady to go eat innings..
you guys keep brining up the same dumb sh!t every other week and it drives me up a wall… OF COURSE they are going to look into Halladay..they’ve looked into EVERY pitcher that has been rumored-available this year.. but to sit here and act like
A.) we’re going to get him
and B.) Rollins + two prospects is good enough to land him
That is just retarded..
I’ve been on the same page with most of the guys on here for the past few weeks, but now its getting back to this blow the team up and trade everyone, and just being unrealistic.. F*CK.
Posted: 11:27 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
we didnt have on sabathia, which is what i said. but we did have enough for harden because they really didnt get all that much for him. gallagher is a good pitching prospect but the rest of them arent the best. the outfield prospect is ok. it didnt seem liek they got a whole lot for harden.
Posted: 11:29 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Yea but you talk about Gillick being asleep at the wheel and whatnot… I would have FLIPPED if they traded for Harden, cause HE DOESN’T STAY HEALTHY!!!!
A pitcher could be the best of all time, but if he can’t make it through the year, then he’s not that valuable
Posted: 11:33 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
how about this, hes going to stay healthy the rest of the year and lead the cubs into the playoffs. if hes not healthy and he doesnt contribute significantly to their success thie year, then you can break that out and remind me that i was wrong.
but, hes under control for liek 2 more years as well…
Posted: 11:38 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
alright, but then how about you stop talking about Gillick shitting the bed on that trade…. because that is why I keep bringing up the fact that he’s been on the DL 6 times in 6 years..
since 2003… he has only made 91 starts… and he’s 36-20 with a 3.36 ERA
He’s GOOD, but he’s not a God.
Lets see what happens..
Posted: 11:44 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Maybe trading Rollins will light a fire under everyone’s ass. They can look at the trade and say, “Wow, I could be next because I’m playing like shit.” Trade Rollins and some prospects for Halladay. Bring up Donald. Donald can’t be any worse at the plate, and he will be a little worse defensively. Who cares about his defense when you have 2 of the most lights out pitchers in the game, and the ageless wonder going every 5 days. This team lacks leadership. I don’t know what happened to Rollins, he’s too busy doing ESPN commercials. He cares more about that than playing the game. Utley isn’t a leader, he just wants to play the game and not be bothered. Burrell chokes when he is in line to be the leader. Howard only cares about the green. Hamels is too cocky. That leaves us to Moyer. Moyer needs to go into that clubhouse and say, hey what the fuck are all of your problems? Stop being a bunch of pussy boy primadonnas. I’ve played with better talent than all of you and they never acted like this(Griffey, A-Rod, and Ichirio.) Maybe he needs to be the guy. He’s respected in the clubhouse, and he has the most experience. Also, Jamie Moyer is pitching incredible this year. He needs to go tell them like it is.
I am so fucking sick of this offense failing to hit when our pitchers are giving them a chance to win.
Posted: 11:44 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Geoff, the Cubs aren’t making the post season, just like the Phillies aren’t. The Brewers WILL take over in that division. That team has heart. The Cubs and Phillies don’t.
Posted: 11:45 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 James K.
http://www.firejoemorgan.com/search/label/jimmy%20rollins
If you have 20 minutes, read those entries detailing why “J-Roll” didn’t deserve MVP or Gold Glove. Scroll down the page for more. It is extremely well written by smarter men than I.
GO METS
Posted: 11:56 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Who is getting the wild card over the Cubs? The Brewers look like theyre going to win that division. And Unless St Louis overtakes them then the Cubs will take the wild card. the phillies wont win the WC, nor will the mets. they have to win the division.
Posted: 11:58 AM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
The WC has a good chance of coming out of the East. Marlins, Phillies, or Mets. The Cubs are playing terrible baseball right now.
Posted: 12:01 PM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 metsfan
I do not think the rockies want rollins. They have Tulowitzki even if he his having a really bad year after last year they are not going to give up on him and he doesn’t make a lot of money. Plus they are not going anywhere so they do not need him. And they will not want his salary.
Posted: 12:01 PM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Well, I think the Phillies, Mets, Marlins will have to make good moves at the deadline in order for the off two out to have a good shot at the WC.
The Phillies still need to make like 2 or 3 MORE moves to begin to look legitimate.
Posted: 12:04 PM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 metsfan
The Phillies or Mets do have a chance the win the WC only if the Phillies bullpen keeps doing what they did the first half and Myers gets out of his funk. The Mets have a chance only if the bullpen gets better and Church comes back and stays healthy.
Posted: 12:05 PM on July 25, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
the phillies WILL finish in 3rd or 4th place in their division is they dont do something SERIOUS to turn things around. be it a shocking trade or getting people to play better or what. at their current clip their headed for a nestled little spot just ahead of the nationals. IN FOURTH PLACE!
Posted: 12:06 PM on July 25, 2008