Manuel: "He is our leadoff hitter"
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Manuel: "He is our leadoff hitter"
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Regardless of his decision to bench struggling short stop Jimmy Rollins for at least two games, manager Charlie Manuel remains committed that his star's proper place in the line-up is as the leadoff hitter.
Manuel, who met with Rollins before the game and told him to take the next two days off in hopes to clear his mind, said that the Phillies' line-up needs Rollins at the top.
Center fielder Shane Victorino, the normal No. 2 hitter who batted first last night, entered the game hitting .305 with a .371 on base percentage. And second baseman Chase Utley has hit second in 16 games this season. But Manuel firmly believes that Rollins belongs at the top of the line-up.
“I think he’s the leadoff hitter,” Manuel said. “I think he is our leadoff hitter. Victorino has hit in there and he is the guy that probably replaces Jimmy when he isn’t in the game at the leadoff hole, but at the same time, I look at both of those guys as hitting in the top of the order. To me, we have to get Jimmy right. That’s the whole purpose of sitting him. I don’t see how moving him around in the line-up helps one bit at all here. I don’t understand that. I don’t see it. And I’ve been around him for five years now as a player, and I think that he is our leadoff hitter. And I think for us to get our offense going and everything like that, the big thing is trying to get him going.”
Rollins is hitless in his last five games, going 0-for-19 in that time.
Well, you gotta try something. But I am curious about the timing because yesterday Charlie said that Rollins is the leadoff hitter and he wouldn't put him out there if he feels he is hurting the team. He also said that he feels Jimmy is ready to break out of his slump. Hmmm, if all that were true and that is really how he felt, why would he sit him the very next game? As an aside, maybe he should sit his entire offense because they are terrible. Two hits since the first inning; six hits total through six innings, and three of those are by bench players (Dobbs and Stairs.) Look at the pitchers they were facing, Sonnanstine had an ERA higher than Moyer's and overall stats worse than Jamie's and Balfour has almost a 5.00 ERA. But the Phillies pitching is putrid yet again, so I guess the poor offense is not the main reason they are losing 9-4 at this point. But I fogot, all is well with this team because afterall, they're still in 1st place, right?— MrPhillie- manuel has it half right. he's our leadoff but he ain't hittin. he's become an easy out for the start of the game. im glad to see hanley ramirez take over the lead in all star votes. rollins is in no way deserving.— jayfril
- Ummm...okay...the Phillies are getting massacred by the Rays right now. This team sucks at the moment. They have some serious problems. Their bullpen can't get anyone out. The Bastardo experiment is over. He can't win anymore. So much for that. The offense hits the ball and scores runs in the first inning, but then the opposing team's pitcher adjusts, and they are unable to hit the ball after the first inning. If we keep this play up, we may be selling off this team by the trade deadline.— GoBirds77
- NY Post bloggers and Mets fans are concerned about Philly fans. Hey you guys, why haven't you ragged on the Mets lately in the NY Post? Hmmm. Maybe because your team is suckin' big time while our "minor league" team is now 0.5 games back. How y'all are okay. Hope to hear from you soon in the NY Post.— tntaz
- Thanks Cholly for following my suggestion.— mick314
- When Smiling Jimmy (the King of the Pop-ups)returns to the lineup, he should bat 9th behind the pitcher. This will give Smiling Jimmy an opportunity to think about the technique of hitting while everyone else bats.— jpelle36
- Tntaz: Haven't you realized that Reyes, Delgato, and Beltran are the problem and not the solution. They divide the clubhouse. Look how much better the Mets play without these hot-dogs. As Mookies would state This team is winning because they are less Hispanics. There is some truth to that. Ask Wagner about the divided locker-room.— jpelle36
- Rollins IS their lead off hitter. Look at their record now!
- What does Cholly mean moving him around the lineup won't help him at all?? Put him in the sixth hole!! It's not about helping J Roll!! It's about helping the TEAM!!!!— SAILOR7175
- Tntaz: Haven't you realized that Reyes, Delgato, Perez, and Beltran are the problem and not the solution. They divide the clubhouse. Look how much better the Mets play without these hot-dogs. As Mookies would state This team is winning because they are less Hispanics and want to win over the money. There is some truth to that. Ask Wagner about the divided locker-room.— jpelle36
- well that didn't work. Next?— MFPhils
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- Charlie *** If you don't see how hitting him in another spot helps try looking at the stats. Maybe we need to admit there is more going on here than meets the eye like the player rep can't be upset so badly that it causes dissention on the team. **** ON ANY OTHER TEAM THIS PLAYER WOULD BE HITTING 7th, or 8th. When he does something for the team for more a week or two then you move him back to number one. This all smells like the same load you've been shoveling since last year and its getting tiring.— Wally 24
- Make him get his eyes checked at the Doctors. Hes only seeing the bottom of the ball. That spells POPUP.— xmar
