Schmidt: Rollins needs to be more "Pete Rose-like"
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Schmidt: Rollins needs to be more "Pete Rose-like"
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Mike Schmidt spent about 30 minutes fielding questions for a small group of reporters today at Bright House Field, and the Hall of Fame third baseman had some interesting things to say.
I'm in the middle of transcribing the tape, but for right now I'll leave you with his thoughts on the Phillies' offense, which in his opinion has underperformed the last few years. Specifically, he zeroed in on Jimmy Rollins, who he said hasn't played within himself.
"I look for Rollins to push a 200-hit year," Schmidt said. "I look for Victorino to have a 200-hit year. We are talking in those terms. 100 walks. 200 hits. Sort of out-there goal for these guys that you haven't seen in the last few years. They are part of a winning team, don't get me wrong, but I still think they are underachieving as players. Jimmy Rollins can't do what Pete Rose did. Just take a year. Pete Rose had 200 hits 10 straight years. Jimmy's faster, you know.
"I just think Pete understood more what his role was. Jimmy kind of gets to being Jimmy. Jimmy needs to be more Pete Rose-like in his approach to the game, and more accountable for getting on base and understanding that offensively, he's about running and getting on base and getting hits and leading the lead in hitting. He wants to look at the USA Today or the Inquirer or whatever and see his name right up there in the top three in hitting. It should be, right? So should Victorino's. And they now feel that way. So I look for big things all the way around."
More to come.
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As an up and coming team, that Rollins "Team to beat" prediction was epic and put a swagger on this team for this era. Now the Rollins pre-season predictions seem stale to me - like arrogance. '100 wins?' Wha? Why predict anything but a WS win at this point - or just say nothing at all and do it on the field. Still a Rollins fan (vs Dodger NLCS gap game-winning double still gives me goosebumps to watch) but can do without the mouthiness. Just sayin.— jamesiri- Those two have been like that for years now. Vic and Jimmy under-utilize their speed by swinging for HR's. If Jimmy changes his approach, he can hit .300 with 100 runs scored, 5 HR's. Shane? I'm not so optimistic about him getting 200 hits. Guy can only hit fastballs now. WTH?
- I'll believe it when I see it. If Schmidt can get through to these guys he'll belong in the H of F twice.— HighDrama
- Jimmy does "IT" his way. When Jimmy goes, The Phillies Go.— docphilly
- Shut up Mike Schmidt.— madecaro
Comment removed.- Easy buddy.. the point of the comment was that Mike Schmidt's comments about Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino underachieving as players needs to be conveyed differently, and not necessarily in the press. A true leader would know that much better. Schmidt was probably the best 3b of all time, but that doesn't make him a great motivator, leader, coach, visiting instructor.. but rather a guy who gets invited to Spring training out of courtesy. If he had that much of a desire to really groom players, he would have coached a bit longer than one season. So, my shut up was directed to him saying what he said, in the manner that he said it. Schmidt-- great player. As far as who I am, I am Pat Gillick's advisor :) — madecaro
- Comment removed.
- I love Mike Schmidt but laughed out loud for 10 minutes after seeing madecaro's comment. Hilarious!
— Sam Crow - Comment removed.
- @mainline- maybe you should chill out, pappy. Relax and take some time to smell the roses for pete's sake! — Sam Crow
- JRoll apparently needs to take up gambling and marrying several womwn with same name,— NewMick314
- Everybody's forgetting that this is J-Roll's last shot at a big contract. He's going to do whatever it takes to get a big deal. This probably means more swinging for the fences, but I'm sure he realizes that another World Series win would drive his value up a little further. If they win another WS this year, it's completely reasonable for him to ask for more money than Jeter just signed for, which is probably his best-case scenario.— tdog330
Every time Rollins hits a HR, he should be fined $500! That's what Howard is for!!! Rollins should make it his business to GET ON BASE everytime he comes to bat!!! 200 Hits and he can talk trash to god!— baworks- Rollins is what he is and he is going to hit some HRs. I don't have a problem with him being aggressive, he just needs to raise his avg and score more runs. If he hits 15 dingers and still scores 200 runs, I won't complain.
