Frontrunners? Who? You?
Jimmy Rollins says Phillies fans are frontrunners. Well, are you?
Frontrunners? Who? You?
Todd Zolecki
Jimmy Rollins called Phillies fans frontrunners last night on Best Damn Sports Show Period.
Yeah, Phillies fans kind of took offense to that.
“They’re frontrunners,” Rollins said. “When you’re doing good, they’re on your side. When you’re doing bad, they’re completely against you. For example, Ryan (Howard) is from St. Louis. St. Louis, it seems like they support their team. They’re encouraging.”
It's an interesting topic, and I actually see both sides because I'm one of the few people who interacts with both parties.
First, Phillies fans have every right to boo. They've been through hell (and whatever sub-level and sub-sub-level there is to hell). They've witnessed one world championship in 125 years. They've seen years of bad baseball, bad trades and bad decisions. But they still pack the ballpark. They still watch on TV. They still buy jerseys, foam fingers and Phillies Christmas ornaments. They still fly to Clearwater, Fla., every spring. They still fly to balllparks across the country to watch their team play. They still support a team that has lost more games than any other team in professional sports history. But they're fans, and fans get emotional. They're not booing because they want the Phillies to fail. They're booing because they very, very badly want the Phillies to be what they always hope they can be.
It's just that most players don't see it that way. They're not from here. They weren't around for 1964. They weren't around for Black Friday or Game 6 in Toronto. They don't care about Ed Wade's inactivity at the trade deadline or busts like Andy Ashby and Lance Parrish or Bill Giles calling Philadelphia a small market team. They weren't around for those things. They don't know about those things. They don't care about those things. They're just trying to win today. They just know that their fans are booing Pat Burrell and Mike Lieberthal during Opening Day introductions in 2006. They just know they're booing Ryan Howard, who leads the league in home runs and RBIs and won NL MVP honors two years ago. They just know they're booing Tom Gordon before he throws a pitch. They just know they're in first place in the National League East, and they're getting booed at home even when they're winning.
They hear those boos and they're like, "What the hell?"
Fans hear Rollins' remarks and they're like, "What the hell?"
Ironically, Rollins is one of the players least affected by the boos. Other players wilt in Philadelphia. Rollins hasn't wilted one bit. But yesterday's uproar -- hey, I'm in LA, I only know it's a "big deal" because everybody back home tells me it's a big deal -- only illustrated the differences between fans who grew up in Philadelphia and the players who grew up elsewhere but play here.
I don't see those differences changing anytime soon.
Rollins is right. it's embarrassing how fickle Philadelphia fans are. If we start hating players when they are in a slump or playing poorly for a week or two, where is our loyalty and enduring support?— tyson987654321- He's right.— absolutqt
First, J-Roll needs to learn what a frontrunner is. I've followed this team for every game, every trade, every hopeful spring, every signing, and every collapse since 1960. And every one of my friends and relatives has done the same. We're not frontrunners; if we were the ball park would be empty. No, we are frustrated; just as frustrated as the players that they haven't done better. But we can't take extra batting practice, or smash a water cooler, or put a pitch behind someone's head. For us, the ONLY way we can express our frustration is to be vocal, at the park and on the blogs and on the talk shows...granted, some of it is nasty and inexcusable, but most of it is just venting...Hey, Jimmy, the Phillies are ours. You won't find more loyal fans, even in St. Louis "heaven."— John621- Ha, front-runners. Thats great. Jimmy, thats the first time anyone has ever considered a philadelphia fan of being front-runners. Just want to throw this out there: When your at work and you screw up, show up late constantly, and dont get you work done on time, does your boss come to you and go "Don't worry about screwing up, or showing up late, thats ok. Get'em next time!" Then proceed to pat you on the back and cheer you on. If the answer is yes, you probably work at a failing company. So next time Jimmy, when you deposit you nice big check after going 0-4 and watch your average drop while your team also falls out of first place, think about the fans who just had to empty their wallet just to watch your pathetic play and your pathetic leadership. Just remember this, Philly fans want to see you succeed. We dont root for you to fail. When you succeed, we are there and when you fail, we are still there.— whiplash240
- "If we start hating players when they are in a slump or playing poorly for a week or two, where is our loyalty and enduring support?" ... ... ENOUGH ALREADY! Philly fans are hard, they are demanding, it's true. STOP defending Rollins, he DESERVES IT. They guy has dogged the entire season because he wants more money based on ONE CAREER YEAR. And he hasn't even really been booed yet. He has no justification for these comments (but it sure sounds as though he will soon). He is unhappy that he and Ryan Howard can't cash in on the franchise, and the fans are not giving them blind love to help pressure management into keeping them happy and signed long-term. IT IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY!— acerulli
- I attended all three games of the the LA series so far and I have to comment that Jimmy's body language in the field tells me that he has an attitude problem. He has ole'd at least four balls that he could have have a play on, some in critical situations. Trade him now, while he's worth something!— Bassplayer
- Not saying that I agree with what Rollins has said but I do not believe he meant it in a fully negative way. Philly fans have brought down and bad mouthed for years and there has been worse things said about us. If you take a step back and look at it he is right, if a player is at the top of their game we idolize and admire them and they are all over the place but once the have a slip up everything is down hill for them in the fans eyes. As i can recall Pat Burrell was once at the top of his game and a great player but there was a time when he was not doing so good and the fans were behing him but still bad mouthing him. Although he has upped his game more the fans are not behind him as much. At the same time Rollins should not be talking because the Phillies havent done much lately. They need to up their game some more.— SPrae58
- I think what bothers me most about Jimmy's remarks is that it just sounds like he's making excuses. It's too easy to blame the fans when you can't figure out what's wrong with you. Or if you're trying to take the focus off of you("It's not me! They're doing it!")My children do the same thing. I would think that a professional athlete would understand that a fan is going to be vocal when you act like you're bigger than the game or when you play like a slug. I also wonder what else is going on in that locker room that seems to be affecting the whole team-not just one or two guys.They all are just dragging through these games like zombies.— philsrmyteam
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- I am so sick and tired of hearing about the Utopia in St. Louis. Mr. Rolen headed there and look what happened. I am sensing a frustrated player, Rollins, is just venting, but does he really want a bunch of fans to sit on their hands when things go bad, and offer polite golf applause when things go well? Sorry, Jimmy, not all fans can be corn-fed zombies. And you saw, Jimmy, what happened last year. How were those crowds for you?— brettg
- Jay Ro has been my favorite Phillie for the last several seasons. and it is certainly unfortunate that being a great shortstop doesn't guarantee intellect. It was an unthoughtful and disloyal comment..you hustle Jim and improve your lead.off role and no body would be on your back. Phillie is a great baseball town, despite idiots like Cataldi and Eskin..perhaps Jayro is listening to IP..since he's not getting killed at the Park...Hey Pat the Bat was hammered for years and never whined like a brainless punk.Turn it around Jay Ro and be the leader you were last year....— swiftbosox
I odn't boo. Never have booed. Just not my thing. But I have no problem with fans booing to express their dissatisfaction with a poor effort or performance. (I'm not talking about the "Hey Burrell, you suck!" crowd.) So if you're saying that fans should never boo, or get down on a team, then we just disagree. This town, for the most part, rewards effort and performance. When one of those (particularly effort) is lacking, the player will hear about it. What's the problem? In a post above, someone makes the claim that if Rollins gets hot and leads us to the playoffs again, everyone will love him. Um, yah. That's a no-brainer. I don't recall walking into work and hearing anyone say "Hey, did you see Jimmy last night??? He showed up late for the game. Then he got nailed not running out a pop-up. Then he said it was no big deal when Charlie sat him down. Man, he's awesome!" But guess what? When he was 4-for-4 the other night, people were talking about how Jimmy is back and this could be the turning point. How can you not see the difference?— bobby- Frontrunner? A frontrunner is someone who is only there when you're winning. Last time I remember the stadium is filled even after your many collapses! Even when you lose... we are still there. When you dont produce should we give you some cookies and warm milk? GET OVER IT! Give me the money you make and you can boo me off the field EVERY NIGHT! You want to say the fans are harsh, maybe brutal? THATS FINE. It seems to me I remember when Utley was in a 0-24 slump and what did the fans do? They gave him a standing ovation. Why? Because HE is a PLAYER! He puts it on the line ALL the time. And the fans are with him. This is about workmanship. Coste and Werth, these guys are under average players. They dont have the talent the rest of the players do. But they are players! We have spent money on players that simply DONT pan out. ITS A DISGRACE! Oh and Jimmy if you leave.... the fans will still be there the next night.— heatmizer
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