Before Rollins vs. After Rollins
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Before Rollins vs. After Rollins
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Jimmy Rollins had been in a pretty bad slump until the past couple of games, when he went 5-for-10 against the Cardinals and the Red Sox. But even thought his production may be down, there is evidence to suggest that his mere presence has been partly responsible for the Phillies' recent run of success.
I present to you two different splits.
The first is the team's overall offensive production in the 28 games Rollins was sidelined with a sprained ankle. The second is the team's overall offensive production in the 36 games since Rollins returned.
The second is Ryan Howard's offensive production without Rollins and after his return.
TABLE I - Phillies Before Rollins/After Rollins:
Record: 16-12/22-14
Batting average: .255/.276
On Base Percentage: .328/.358
Runs: 4.9 per game/6.0 per game
Home runs: 1.4 per game/1.4 per game.
TABLE II - Ryan Howard Before Rollins/After Rollins:
Batting average: .162/.277
On Base Percentage: .276/.360
Plate appearances per home run: 23.2/12.4
PAs per strikeout: 2.9/3.5
PAs per RBI: 8.3/3.6
OK, I know what you are saying. Of course the team's offensive production will be up. You've got a guy like Jimmy Rollins replacing a guy like Eric Bruntlett in the line-up. And surely that's part of it. But Rollins' production has been well below what is has been in the past. Since returning, he it hitting just .277 with a .345 OBP. Those numbers are well above what Bruntlett did in his place (.245/.304). But I still theorize that Rollins mere presence makes his teammates better, which is why I included Ryan Howard's numbers. When Rollins is on base, Shane Victorino is going to see more fastballs, which will enable him to get on base more, and Howard in turn will have more RBI opportunities, and potentially draw more walks, etc., etc., etc.
Victorino's number B.R. (Before Rollins) and A.R. (After Rollins) are just as striking as Howard's. Victorino was hitting .242 before Rollins return. Since, he has hit .297.
Interesting and, while there's no doubt having Rollins is better than not having Rollins, here's another way of looking at it.Homer: Not a bear in sight. The Bear Patrol must be working like a charm! Lisa: That's specious reasoning, Dad. Homer: Thank you, dear. Lisa: By your logic I could claim that this rock keeps tigers away. Homer: Oh, how does it work? Lisa: It doesn't work. Homer: Uh-huh. Lisa: It's just a stupid rock. Homer: Uh-huh. Lisa: But I don't see any tigers around, do you? [Homer thinks of this, then pulls out some money] Homer: Lisa, I want to buy your rock.
— Jeffrey- yo jeffrey - bullseye.— defg0003
Comment removed.- Enjoyed the Simpson's quote, but it doesn't relate. Murphy makes an excellent if obvious point that Rollins is the straw that stirs the Phil's drink. As does every leadoff hitter, thus the term "setting the table". Jeffrey, go back to you cartoons and save the commentary for the baseball people.— realdm
- Wouldn't this be like the trickle down effect Reagan used to talk about?— slovak34
- I read something the other day about how Ryan Howard said that striking out is like a ground out. In my opinion he couldn't be more wrong! If there's one out and up to bat with a man at third and the defense playing back a ground ball will score the run more times than not while a strike out will leave the man stranded for the next guy. Does anyone agree with me on this or am I just on an island here by myself.— cg
- can you explain utley's 0-16 slump...he is an 0-2 away from a career high slump— scuba
