Rollins Shows Up Late, Benched
Jimmy Rollins was a late scratch because he showed up late to Shea Stadium today.
Rollins Shows Up Late, Benched
Todd Zolecki
Charlie Manuel has two rules:
1. Hustle
2. Be on time.
Jimmy Rollins has broken both rules this season, the lastest came today when he showed up about an hour before the Phillies' series finale against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium. Rollins, who was benched earlier this season for not running out a pop fly, said he didn't agree with Manuel's decision this time. Here's some of what he had to say to reporters in the hallway outside the visitor's clubhouse:
Q: What happened?
A: I showed up after the bus, a little bit about an hour before the game.
Q: Why?
A: You can say traffic, but that really doesn’t change anything.
Q: Disappointed?
A: No, I mean, it’s the same thing I do all the time. I usually leave about 10 minutes after the bus as usual if I drive myself, but you can’t change lights and stuff. Oh well.
Q: Did you understand?
A: Well, we’re not going to agree on this one. I agreed with him last time, but we’re not going to agree on this one. I think he understood that, and I understood it. But he’s the manager. He has to set a precedent for certain players and you’re expected and held up to those rules, and that’s fine.
Q: If you don't agree, can you get past it?
A: Am I going to let it bother me? No, it’s already done. Me and Charlie spoke about it. It’s done.
Q: Was part of the decision that you’re a leader?
A: That was 100 percent of the decision. That was the complete decision. As I said, I understand. That’s part of it.
Everyone and everything is to blame except Chase Utley. Will CHASE UTLEY show up tonight? Of course with CHASE UTLEY he must have injured ribs from all of his hustle. One prophetic soul said maybe its his neck another his rotator cuff. Well maybe he is overdoing the black tar in his spare time. Get it, see how stupid you sound!!! WHERE IS CHASE UTLEY? I see him still making strange faces in the dugout but besides that he is MIA..— Truth- RAS, ok, sorry, misunderstood your post. I don't disagree, but I can't say that is definitely the prob here, since i don't know these guys personally. My points were to Truth who thinks that throwing money at everyone solves every problem. Its a narrow and ridiculous viewpoint.— RG
- Truth, Utley has been their most consistent player since he came up full time. Blaming him is silly. So he doesn't have a shiny award on his mantle? He also doesn't show up late, or fail to hustle. He doesn't break strikeout records and lead his position in errors. He goes out and plays. and delivers a near .300 avg, 20+ HRs, and 100+ RBIs from a tradtionally light hitting position. Thats what deserves respect, not some piece of hardware, arbitrarily awarded by a small few.(in which more than a few people think Pujols and Holliday should have won, respectively).— RG
They don't rip up contracts anymore. They get "extensions" with up front money. It's not really a fair question though. Most of the MVPs in recent years are named Bonds, Pujols, or A-Rod, who are in the stratospher ALREADY salary wise. But, just to wet your noodle, Justin Morneau won the MVP the same year as Howard (2006), and he just sigend an $80MM contract extension this year.— RAS- And do you think Howard would except a similar deal? (Avg is around $12.5 mil per year, and Howard is reportedly miffed at $10 mil in arb). Morneau actually settled for $7.4 mil instead of going to arbitration (less than Howard), before the extension.— RG
- And do you think Howard would except a similar deal? (Avg is around $12.5 mil per year, and Howard is reportedly miffed at $10 mil in arb). Morneau actually settled for $7.4 mil instead of going to arbitration (less than Howard), before the extension.— RG
- I think a couple of folks have commented on this, but with all the Rollins hoopla, how sensational Moyer pitched again yesterday. Also what a classy comment he had for the Rollins situation. It's been a bit bizarre this whole "meltdown" of late. Maybe this is the catalyst the team needs now that they're out of 1st place---maybe they do better clawing their way to the top. Well if they don't continue to sweep the Braves then we might really have something to worry about?!— KarenA
- RAS, RG I agree with you guys, too....all good points...Truth, everyone knows only black athletes succumb to the temptation of drugs, so get off it, lol,lol,lol....The Braves were sellers last week and we were buyers.....if the Braves sweep us this weekend, the shoe's on the other foot. I see that a more likely possibility than us continuing our dominance over them.......again,I fear we will never see the great Jimmy Rollins again....I'm pretty sure he'll have to have the ankle cleaned out at season's end.....every year thereafter more arthritis will set in, range/speed will be lost as will his ability to turn at that 1-0 fastball and deposit it in the RF seats......as I said before get used to it......— Mark1npt
- RG, the worst thing a young player can do is believe his own legend....Howard has his dad and media types telling him he is the next Babe Ruth, the next great black ambassador for the game....he wants his $20 mil /year and no one can tell him different...it's all about the respect he deserves! Nothing else.....Morneau and most starst who play for the Twins, love the city, love the community, love to raise their children there, realize they are priveleged to play a game and are willing to stay for a long time without rocking the boat about money....there is no other city of organization in MLB like it.....it's a mindset that they cultivate in the area....all Howard wanted to do when he won his $10 mil in arbitration was to go buy an Astin-Martin and look cool.....nevermind that he couldn't fit his lardbutt into one!!!!! It's all about looking cool, look at me on the cover of MLB.....look at me!!!— Mark1npt
- See home run hero Josh Hamilton, this year's poster child for substance abuse.— RAS
- Good point, RAS— Mark1npt
- Mark1npt......I had the same thoughts on Chase possibly being injured from all those dives. Charlie sat him out a game at CBP last home stand for that reason. Maybe he needs to sit 2 or 3 games. Or at least pop a ton of Advil.— Norma
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