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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Very nice! My opionion is you can't change people, Rollins and Victorino are who they are! Question is will Rollins be able to bat close to 300?....if not bat him 5 and put Victorino at 1 with a hope and a prayer. Bigger question, will Utley, Howard, Ibananez make it happen??— PhilZone1- Jroll is the key. Get on base, and stir the pot. Schmidtty is right. We need Jroll big time.
- I love Rollins' glove and in game energy and he seems like a nice guy. But I see him as the last vestige of the underachieving Phillies. Last year when Milt Thompson was fired, Rollins was quoted as saying he didn't need coaching- yet we all see him take a poor approach at the plate. Also, he normally comes to camp as late as possible. The guy could put up much better numbers with HRs if he took his craft more seriously.— jtj06
- I love Rollins' glove and in game energy and he seems like a nice guy. But I see him as the last vestige of the underachieving Phillies. Last year when Milt Thompson was fired, Rollins was quoted as saying he didn't need coaching- yet we all see him take a poor approach at the plate. Also, he normally comes to camp as late as possible. The guy could put up much better numbers with HRs if he took his craft more seriously.— jtj06
- mike schmidt has his opinion on the leadoff guys..ok i love it..fire up the troops..but, pete rose like?? no no ..leave pete to himself.he's still the best singles,doubles hitter of this era,and j-roll and the flyin hawaiian,can't catch up to him. let em play their game,and not mold them into someone they're not...these guys know they're the cataylists for the offense,so let them play their roles...its up to the cleanup guys to come thru.— t_darb_56
- mike schmidt has his opinion on the leadoff guys..ok i love it..fire up the troops..but, pete rose like?? no no ..leave pete to himself.he's still the best singles,doubles hitter of this era,and j-roll and the flyin hawaiian,can't catch up to him. let em play their game,and not mold them into someone they're not...these guys know they're the cataylists for the offense,so let them play their roles...its up to the cleanup guys to come thru.— t_darb_56
- mike schmidt has his opinion on the leadoff guys..ok i love it..fire up the troops..but, pete rose like?? no no ..leave pete to himself.he's still the best singles,doubles hitter of this era,and j-roll and the flyin hawaiian,can't catch up to him. let em play their game,and not mold them into someone they're not...these guys know they're the cataylists for the offense,so let them play their roles...its up to the cleanup guys to come thru.— t_darb_56
- mike schmidt has his opinion on the leadoff guys..ok i love it..fire up the troops..but, pete rose like?? no no ..leave pete to himself.he's still the best singles,doubles hitter of this era,and j-roll and the flyin hawaiian,can't catch up to him. let em play their game,and not mold them into someone they're not...these guys know they're the cataylists for the offense,so let them play their roles...its up to the cleanup guys to come thru.— t_darb_56
- Maybe instead of focusing on Rollins' liabilities, more focus should be put on the team's insistence on batting him leadoff when he NEVER was a great leadoff hitter. It's one thing in the early years when you're hoping he learns how to be patient. But after all these years he is who he is. There's no reason to think he'll suddenly start taking walks and working pitchers.— VicM
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