Rollins' booing philosophy
Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins said the way he was using the term front-runner was different than how it has been interpreted. "Don't get on us when we're down this time of the year, come out and support us."
Rollins' booing philosophy
Daily News staff
Well, myself and a couple other reporters just got through with a 12-minute conversation with Jimmy Rollins in which the MVP shortstop expanded on the now infamous remarks he made on the "Best Damn Sports Show Period" on Fox Sports Net.
Essentially, his point boils down to this: Athletes are human. And even though you think they should stand there and take booing because they make a lot of money, it doesn't work that way. They hear it, and they feel it, and it can affect them negatively. He said he expects to be booed when he deserves it. But in his opinion, Philly sports fans often take it to an extreme. For example, he pointed out the fans' treatment of Tom Gordon this season, and their booing of Ryan Howard.
Here's the complete transcript in its entirety:
Q: Explain the front runner comment.
A: Do they come to the games? That wasn't the aspect I was talking about. They always say they are passionate to a fault. That's not the aspect I was talking about ... For example, when I went down, [Eric] Bruntlett came in and played. He got booed his first time out there because he made one error in New York. And then they are on his side after he comes through and gets some big hits. You should be there from Day One, because he is the guy who is going to be in there for 25 games. He is going to need your energy the same way when I'm out there I need it to keep going. There are some days you really sit back and say. 'Boy, these fans are really behind us' and you can feel it and it can get you going. Or, it's 'Dang, they just booed him, and I'm coming up next.' It kind of just bounces down through the team person to person to person to person."
Q: Do they forget ballplayers are human?
A: "I don't know if they forget. A lot of times fans world wide in general, they say well you are making all this money, you are supposed to (take it). Or I paid to come to the game so I can let you know anything and say anything I want. Well I don't, but (other players) have kids, I've got a wife, I've got mom and dad. Before I was a ballplayer I was a person and I am a person the same way you are. So you say something as a person, forget the uniform, as a person I could say something back. But because of the uniform, I can say anything I want to you, and that's your armor, that's your shield. It's just not true. Not at all."
Q: On booing Tom Gordon. . .
A: Man, they jumped all over him. That's why I'm running up to him (when he comes out of the bullpen) like, Come on. Because I'm trying to reinforce that we need him. I understand what's going on out there, but we need you out here, dog. Put that out your mind. And it's hard, because your human, and you hear it, and you throw a ball and it gets louder.
Q: On booing on the road. . .
A: If they want to boo us as the visting team, keeping giving me some boos. But at home, give us some home field advantage.
Q: On how his "Front-runner" comment was mis-interpreted
A: That's exactly where when I say it, that's when I look at. . .I think they are talking about the attendancea nd the support. No. I have never once said that. Anytime I've mentioned the fans, I've never once said that. Anytime I've mentioned the fans, I've never said taht part of it. But the way you put it, Opening Day introductions. They did that to Schoenweis in New York. It's just like, are you serious?
Q: Is Rollins happy in Philly?
A: Happy? I've never not been happy. My mission and my goal is to win a championship. It has nothing to do wtih happiness, nothing to do with love. That has nothing to do with it. We're talking about getting us to play better. Getting you to support better. That's their goal and I think sometimes they feel by getting on you, they can help change the outcome. Negative energy doesn't produce anything positive.
Q: Mind if you get booed?
A: As long as they don't boo the other guys, I don't care. It's not me, it's booing the guy who is out there working hard and busting his butt. THat's when I really get upset. I've always said that. Whatever you want to do against me, I can deal with myself. And I'm sure he could deal with it too. But that's my teammate. I know the work he is putting in, I see what he is doing trying to get better, and you are crushing him. That's what makes me upset.
Q: Some fans say they are entitled to boo because the Phillies have won just one championship in 100 years. . .
A: I've been around eight (years). In the eight years, we've been getting closer and closer. Last year we finally got over one obstacle and we are still working to get over another one. And it's our fault as players for saying, well we understand why, because of this. You know what, let them get over it. You weren't even born yet. Some of you were just born in 1980. That's like saying, well the Oakland A's haven't won since 90-something, and I was an A's fan growing up. If we're not in it, that's still my hoemtown team. I never want them to win as long as I'm playing, don't get me wrong, but take the team that you have and push them to be better. Don't take Black Friday - I just found that out - don't take Black Friday and put it on these new guys. Half of them don't even know it. I didn't know it until 15 minutes ago, 20 minutes ago. Black Friday, I was like, is that like Palm Sunday? You know about the history of the team, don't get me wrong, but when you are there, you are trying to change that for that time period. My tenure here, were we successful? That's all you can control.
Q: Some Philadelphia fans will read this and say you are full of crap. Do you care?
A: Not really. My job is to go out there and play baseball to win. And if you are doing that, they care. He might be full of (crap) but he wins. He's helping us win. And that's what really matters. Of course you want them to like you as a person, but you can't control what everybody thinks.
Q: You've always had a good relationship with the fans and are one of the more autograph-friendly players in spring training. . .
A: Like I said, that has nothing to do with love. If you can't be real, then you don't have a relationship. If they weren't passionate about the team, and I wasn't passionate about these guys in here, it wouldn't even matter. If I didn't care how they supported us or didn't support us it wouldn't matter. And it's true. Were there games we should have been booed? Hell yeah, and they booed the hell out of us, I admit. I'm in the dugout like, oooh, alright. But there are sometimes, like when they are announcing a guys name and he is booed before he has a chance to do something good. . .
--end of interview--
Earlier, Rollins returned to Best Damn Sports Show Period to talk about his comments made yesterday about the Philadelphia fans ... Rollins was interviewed by phone by hosts Chris Rose and John Salley. Here is a transcript of the interview, sent by Fox Sports Net.
Asked if he was surprised about the fans’ reaction:
“Actually, very surprised. People take things and use them in whichever way they use, but yeah, I’m definitely surprised….I don’t know who called in and who did what. It’s just one of those things. The way, I guess, what front runner means and the way I think about it is completely different from, yes, than what they’re using it… Like I said, they’re on your side – they’re demanding fans, everybody knows that. When you’re doing good, they’re on your side. When you’re not doing good, they’re going to let you know – ‘We expect better. We want better. And we want it now.’ And I think they feel that by doing that, they can influence the way you play. But when you’re giving off that negative energy, it really doesn’t.
“And I think that maybe they’re like, ‘We don’t show up,’ which is what I guess front runner means – they’re only on your side when you’re winning. No, we get 45,000 fans every night. They scream, they cheer and they want a winner. There’s no doubt about that. But, as passionate as they are about us going out there and winning and playing well, that’s the same passion I feel about them giving us support. Don’t get on us when we’re down this time of the year, come out and support us.
“There are definitely games, don’t get me wrong, where I’m like, ‘Damn, you know, we are getting booed and we need to get booed because we’re not doing well.’ But there are a lot of times where it makes it harder to play at home when they’re against you – or it feels like they’re against you. They’re never really against you, but it feels like they’re against you – they’re venting against you and it doesn’t help. So, like I said, they show up. You asked about the West Coast, I’m from Oakland, I’m like, ‘They don’t show up.’ That has nothing to do with it.
“The whole thing was, look, here we are in the playoffs, we’re at home, we’re in first place. There’s really nothing to boo about. We’re not going to win every game. As long as we win by one when it comes down to the finish. But, go out there and support us. When Carlos Ruiz comes up to the plate, don’t boo him because you want (Chris) Coste in the game. This man has a job to do today. Encourage him to do his job to the best of his abilities.”
Asked if he wanted to take any of his original comments back:
“The term front runner and what it actually means and to what I was using it, what was going through my mind, they weren’t accurate. Front runners is like people who only show up when you’re winning. Hey, we’re going to cheer you if you win. That’s not it about Philly fans. They’re passionate. They show up – like I said, 45,000. We’ve got like 42 sellouts. They announce it everynight. That’s not what I meant. Like I said, it’s the fact that here we are at this point of the year, come out and be supportive. Don’t necessarily get on us. We can use that positve energy. And you know that positive energy can lift you, that negative energy can bring you down.”
On what he expects the reation to him will be when he gets back to Philly:
“Who knows? Who knows? We’re trying to win games. All we look for is support. If they want to boo me, that’s fine. That’s fine. It’s not going to effect me from doing my job. My job is to go out there and try to win ballgames and I’m going to do that my best.”
in his words: "My job is to go out there and try to win ballgames and I’m going to do that my best” ... you mean like not running out hits or hustling or getting into catfights with the manager??? ... that's the best you got???— Mojo Thunder
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- Hey Rollins, I have news for you: NOT EVERYBODY IN THE BALLPARK BOOS AT YOUR HOME GAMES...as a matter of fact, it usually a small percentage of fans, and not the ones (like me) that are knowledgeable season ticket holders. He should stop talking about "the Philly fans" and lump us all together...I've haven't booed at a Phillies game in over 6 years. If he wants to criticize the idiotic boo-birds in Philly, then I'm fine with him...but stop making it out to be that 45,000 people boo you every night.— tc083069
- I understand Rollins' point about players being human, and that booing can have a negative effect on a person, but I think he's completely misguided in his evaluation of Philly fans. If you show that you're making an effort, working to correct mistakes, working hard every night, then the fans here will almost always cut you some slack root for you everytime. Tom Gordon was terrible last season. When he started this season so poorly, he deserved to be booed. When Ryan Howard struggled tremendously at the start of this season, it took months before he finally started to hear boos. Fans wanted him to come out of his slump, and encouraged him on for quite a while. But making the same mistakes, swinging at the same bad pitches, giving the ump looks everytime he calls a strike finally grew old and fans started to boo. Jim Me Rollins has had a very disappointing season since the beginning. His lack of hustle, lack of discipline at the plate, etc., are extremely frustrating to fans, and for the most part, he hasn't been booed much at all. He deserves it more than just about anyone on the team. Jim Me just doesn't get it.— E
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- Well all this fuss about Rollins comments, we all know this to be basically true about philly fans deep down inside. Rollins not having a great year this year should have just given the old political answer. Well he didn't, and he was honest about it, thing is he is not talking just about his own feelings, but that of the entire team. What he, and the team is asking from the philly fans is the kind of support that will inspire the team to higher heights. Sure you can boo a poor performance/play or someone not hustling. But to boo a player because you don't personally like him or is having an off year is stupid, these Phillies are giving their all to win, if they were not I'd boo too. The fact is this team has flaws, and some players with weaknesses. Blame upper management for that, boo them. Philly needs to get behind this team for better or worse, to inspire them to achive beyond their capabilities. Then perhaps we will see something like last years run to the playoffs. Otherwise, I feel we will loose this team.— oldphilly
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- Don't the Phillies have a press relations guy- Scott Palmer? He should give a "talking points" speech or handout to the players advising them how to speak to the press. In particular, comments about the fans should be limited to something like "they're tough but loyal" or "they want to win just as much as the team does" or "they're the best and they deserve a winner."— StevenT
- Jimmy needs to shut up and play. I try to defend players on these posts from crazy fans, but not this time. I don't care what he meant. Guys who aren't getting it done on the field shouldn't be going on tv shows period. They should either be working on whats wrong, or staying in their hotel rooms to get away from it all. You go on garbage shows that FOX runs, this is what you get. If anyone really cares, he was more critical of his hometown Oakland fans than he was of Philly fans. Video is all over the internet.— cnova000
- jimmy rollins had better step his game up soon or these comments that he made will haunt him forever!!!!! if the team lived up to their potential and did what they were supposed to every night, this wouldnt be a problem. but it just so happens that the squad is playing lackluster, non-motivated baseball and we have a right to demand that they show more effort and enthusiasm. cole hamels should have about 4-5 more wins but the mediocre run support that he's gotten has definitely injured his stats as far as the win column is concerned. as long as they keep underachieving and as long as jimi continues to not hustle and make stupid remarks, this will be my response "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"— mizloonar
- I'm not one for booing players who give everything they have. I would never boo Tom Gordon, for instance. He pretty much ended his career by pitching every day last September. He gave everything he had and probably then some. When you aren't, say, running out a pop-up, you should get booed.— ErikT
- Why does this city have to continue to apologize for its historical sports culture. We is what we is. Rollins seems to be providing cover for his mediocre year. Phil's Phans say boo....Jimmy say boo hoo.— bobcitydoc
- None of this matters one iota. If the Phils win, we love them. If not, well..........— slabold
- Jimmy,I have seen alot of baseball in my long life across this country.Fans in other cities criticize/berate their players worse then here in Philly,trust me,witnessed first hand and they have no clue why they are booing.The boo birds you hear are a vocal minority,the majority that do know the game sit back and watch the game,the potential/talent of "Your" team and its performance.Sometimes joyful, sometimes disheartened.Fans have flocked to the stadium in record numbers over the years.A season ticket holder for decades,I have watched players from past Teams joke and interact with the fans.Yes,there was frustration,but in the end a mutual respect for each other."Your" Team,with the exception of a few players has always been distant,except for special events.Before games,for instance I watch Jamie Moyer reach out to the fan base,spending a good 30 minutes to an hour signing and talking to fans of all ages.Yes fans are there for the autograph,but they are there to bond with Jamie the player and person.I have listened to adults and kids say,"what a great guy, there is an athlete who cares about the fans." Maybe the TEAM should learn from "The Veteran", who takes nothing for granted and be out there before and after every game to show their respect to THEIR FAN BASE and show that "HUMAN side" you might be surprised at the results.Think of this Jimmy,instead of spending our money at The Bank, we should all go to high school,legion,college,semi-pro or Williamsport,and support kids who listen,learn and respect "The Game" and the people who are their fan base and let you play in a tomb! Think Jimmy,all we ask,Team play and situational baseball wins games, pennants and peoples respect.And to you Fans,yes the Team should be producing more positive results,but have you hit a round ball with a cylindrical object,while it is being thrown with all sorts of wizardry 3 out of 10 times or thrown a ball into a shoe box from 60.6ft guess not,or you would not boo. Let's love THE GAME!— FanThru It All
