Rollins, late for the game, disagrees with decision to bench him
Jimmy Rollins has never been known as an early-arriver, but yesterday he arrived at Shea Stadium a little too late for Charlie Manuel's liking. After the MVP short stop arrived at the park about an hour before yesterday's game, Manuel met with him in his office and informed him that he would not be starting a game the Phillies would eventually lose 3-1.
Rollins, late for the game, disagrees with decision to bench him
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Jimmy Rollins has never been known as an early-arriver, but yesterday he arrived at Shea Stadium a little too late for Charlie Manuel's liking. After the MVP short stop arrived at the park about an hour before yesterday's game, Manuel met with him in his office and informed him that he would not be starting a game the Phillies would eventually lose 3-1.
Rollins, who was benched earlier in the season for failing to run out a fly ball, said he disagreed with the decision this time around.
"We're not going to agree on this one," Rollins said. "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, and he has to set a precendent and for certain players you are expected and held up to higher rules, and that's fine, that's part of it."
Rollins said he kept his normal routine, leaving the hotel in his own car 10 minutes after the second team bus departed for Shea Stadium.
"It's the same thing I do all the time," Rollins said. "Usually leave about 10 minutes after the bus when I drive myself. But you can't change lights and stuff."
That said, Rollins said he would not brood on the decision or let him affect him the rest of the season. He grounded out while pinch-hitting in the ninth inning. His replacement, Eric Bruntlett, had three hits, including two doubles.
Murph: Who else takes their own car? How many players ride the bus vs. getting their themselves?— shoeshineboy- I love JRoll, but I don't want to hear any excuses about traffic lights or anything else. If you're expected to be at the park by a certain time you should be there. Period.— derrickwh
Comment removed.- J Roll coming off a MVP season has earned the right to use whatever mode of transport he chooses to get to the staium PERIOD. Whats better him being lively in the dugout and driving himself or making strange faces and being a hermit on the bus/dugout like Utley?— Truth
- It doesn't matter. I am afraid that this series signals the beginning of the end for the Phillies. They simply can not hit with runners in scoring position. You can't mash your way to World Series. No playoffs this year. :(— bjlindy
- And yet, as a team, they have a higher OPS and BA with runners in scoring position than last year's club. Rollins and Howard, significantly so. But they obviously lag in other areas. In truth the team is lacking opportunities -- simply getting on base, and getting to second -- more than they've lacked success capitalizing on them.— jason14
- Murph, Are these just isolated situations with jimmy , or is there more than meets the eye to Charlie repremanding him.— Gary Paul
- A little more info would be nice......as mentioned, do other players take their own cars? How late after the 2nd team bus was he? Has this been a recurring problem?— guit10
Youse philly fans are too easy on the 'stars' , and seem to ignore the underperforming catcher who is barely hitting his weight, and the third baseman who rarely gets a timely hit. And these two are making peanuts when compared to utley,howard and rollins who are acting like they deserve their multimillion dollar salaries. Let's face it, the all stars are not clutch hitters. EAton and Myers have lost ther hearts and desire to perform . Where would we be without hamels, moyers,kendrick,lidge, the rest of the bullpen and the guy you seem to love to hate, pat burrell? 4th place! The fightin' phils don't fight anymore. The underpaid people who never get to play, taguchi, coste, bruntlet dobbs, to name a few, are getting pressure ulcers on their butts for sitting so long on the bench. Disappointed, you bet I am. The overpaid underperforming phillies do not deserve to be in first place. phoenix phlash- Phoenix, you're right. But you have to have faith in your core players. If they lose it, they lose it, there are no excuses. Those guys ARE your franchise, for better or worse. J-Roll I have serious issues with... the others, not so much. Oh well. We were spoiled the last few years anyway. At least now we can drink ourselves to death without worrying that we'll miss a come-from-behind win.— maximusud
Proposed New Rule: On the road, everyone travels on the team bus. No exceptions. If you're late for the bus, which is conveniently parked at the curb next to the hotel for Pete's sake, then you accept the consequences.— lgroniko- It's like dead from the neck up Jose Reyes has inhabited J-Roll's body. This kind of crud should be expected (but not condoned) by a bratty 25 year old (like Reyes) not last year's MVP. Our only hope is this wakes Mr. Rollins up. Btw... how late was he to the ballgame?— terryharmon
- It's like dead from the neck up Jose Reyes has inhabited J-Roll's body. This kind of crud should be expected (but not condoned) by a bratty 25 year old (like Reyes) not last year's MVP. Our only hope is this wakes Mr. Rollins up. Btw... how late was he to the ballgame?— terryharmon
- Comment removed.
- when will charlie bench chase for a few games?? he's hasn't been hitting for over a month!!!— hassan114
- Reyes is much better player than rollins, only difference between the two is rollins has a bit more power. i like rollins' grit but keep in mind rollins also had a career year last year let's not forget that— yunggeh
- Too many chefs and not enough soup! :)— lutton
Murphy...good job throwing some soft s**t at Amaro....LAMO!
