Now he’s in the same division with Jose Reyes (Mets), Hanley Ramirez (Florida) and Edgar Renteria (Atlanta).
Though he earned recognition by making the All-Star team in 2001-, Rollins didn’t get much national exposure until he finished the ‘05 season with a 36-game hitting streak that eventually reached 38.Įarly in his career, Rollins was overshadowed by big-name shortstops like Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra and Miguel Tejada. Vukovich, who died in March, was a longtime coach with the Phillies. Rollins credits the late John Vukovich for his superb fielding. “Sometimes I make the spectacular plays, but it looks routine so it doesn’t get on the highlights.” “Underappreciated? Definitely, but the guys on this team, they appreciate it,” said Rollins, who hasn’t won a Gold Glove. He’s such a slick fielder and makes all the routine plays that he gets overlooked by flashier guys who end up on the highlight reels. While he’s dangerous at the plate, Rollins might be better with his glove. But Rollins will use the bigger lumber against certain sinkerball right-handers.
How strong is the toned Rollins? He sometimes uses Howard’s bat, which is 3 inches longer and 2 ounces heavier than his. No matter what you do, you have to be strong.’ ” “Playing any sport, he told me: ‘You don’t want to be weak. “They say a leadoff hitter hits singles, but I’ve never grown up that way from the first time my dad threw me balls,” Rollins said.
All his homers this year have come when he’s batted first. Manuel batted Rollins third when Howard and Utley were out of the lineup and he’s tempted to put him in the middle of the lineup because of his run-producing ability. 338 when swinging at the first pitch – an unwritten no-no for leadoff guys. Over the last three seasons, Rollins was batting. He’s not a slap hitter, so he doesn’t try to poke a single through a hole. When critics harped on his low on-base percentage or his propensity for flying out and not working the count, Rollins kept the same approach at the plate. He’s the guy that sets our offense and he’s the guy that sparks our defense.” The position he plays and the way he plays it is very important. He has all the credentials to be the MVP. He plays every day and that takes a special player. “His value is hard to explain,” Manuel said. If a players-only meeting is needed, Rollins usually is the one to call it. He swaggers through the clubhouse, flashing a trademark smile, joking, chirping and keeping everyone loose. It’s difficult to imagine Philly could be successful without Rollins jump-starting the offense and anchoring the defense. After Utley broke his hand in late July, they were 15-13. When Howard missed two weeks with a leg injury in May, the Phillies went 8-4. If the Phillies could find a way to replace the switch-hitting Rollins atop the lineup, they’d still miss his flawless fielding. MVP Ryan Howard and All-Star second baseman Chase Utley, Rollins might be the most indispensable player. “He has a short, compact swing, he catches the ball out front and he explodes on the ball. “He’s stronger than you think he is for a little guy,” manager Charlie Manuel said. If baseball players were judged like boxers, Rollins would have to be the best pound for pound major leaguer. Carlos Delgado, Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones are among the sluggers just in the same division with fewer homers. “I look at them and I say, ‘OK, I’m doing good.’ But that’s all I think because winning games is all that matters.”Ĭonsidering Rollins is only 5-foot-7 (he’s listed an inch taller, but said that’s with spikes) and weighs 170 pounds, his power numbers are more impressive. “When I look at the numbers, they don’t really register,” Rollins said. Rollins has a legitimate chance to accomplish that remarkable feat, and he could end up leading the National League in total bases. No player in major league history has had 40 doubles, 20 triples, 30 homers and 30 steals in one season. He had 35 doubles, 17 triples, 32 steals and 126 runs scored.
296 with 27 homers and 82 RBIs going into a weekend series against the New York Mets. The three-time All-Star shortstop is having an MVP-caliber season in Philadelphia, helping the injury-depleted Phillies stay in the playoff race. For years, Jimmy Rollins heard the same criticism from people who said he’s not a prototypical leadoff hitter.