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Thursday, July 24, 2008
Rollins Shows Up Late, Benched

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.

Posted by Todd Zolecki @ 3:53 PM  Permalink | 59 comments
59
Comments   
Comment removed.
Posted 01:14 PM, 07/25/2008
Norma
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.
Posted 11:48 AM, 07/25/2008
Mark1npt
Good point, RAS
Posted 11:35 AM, 07/25/2008
RAS
See home run hero Josh Hamilton, this year's poster child for substance abuse.
Posted 11:25 AM, 07/25/2008
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!!!
Posted 11:19 AM, 07/25/2008
Mark1npt
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......
Posted 11:08 AM, 07/25/2008
KarenA
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?!
Posted 10:57 AM, 07/25/2008
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.
Posted 10:55 AM, 07/25/2008
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.
Posted 10:51 AM, 07/25/2008
RAS
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.
Posted 10:45 AM, 07/25/2008
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).
Posted 10:41 AM, 07/25/2008
RG
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.
Posted 10:38 AM, 07/25/2008
Truth
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..
Posted 10:38 AM, 07/25/2008
RAS
I'm over it, the problem is the players aren't. See Mark1npt's post from last night. Young wealthy athletes with the world at their beckon don't reason the same way you or I do. Yo think they'd get down on their knees and thank their deity every night for what they have.
Posted 10:35 AM, 07/25/2008
RG
Ok, here's a challenge. Can you name a recent MVP who after winning the award, their team ripped up their contract and gave them a new one?
Posted 10:35 AM, 07/25/2008
Truth
The black athlete must be on drugs-lol. Yea, come to think of it Rollins reminds me of Strawberry. The IQ of the Philadelphia sports fan never never cease to amaze me.
Posted 10:33 AM, 07/25/2008
RG
You need to get over the MVP thing, not sure what it has to do with it. Its a simple award, hardly means that Rollins or Howard are better overall players than Wright and Reyes. I'd bet that it would be near unanimous if you asked GMs which duo they'd take.
Posted 10:21 AM, 07/25/2008
RAS
Wright and Reyes are not MVPs, that's why.
Posted 10:20 AM, 07/25/2008
RAS
...addicted to pain killers, now there's a thought bearing some scrutiny. Maybe not that far fetched, Jimmy looks and acts like he's on something. Nonchalance and tardiness to work are symptoms that are seen in all walks of life for substance abusers. Wouldn't that be sad if it were true. He wouldn't be the first guy though. Was Jimmy playing like J-Roll before he went on the DL?
Posted 10:16 AM, 07/25/2008
RG
RAS, my point is the player son TB and Fla don't feel disreespected because of their salaries, they go out and perform. So eihter Truth's theory about the Phils disrepcting their players is bunk, or the Phils who feel disrespected are primma donnas. Utley, Howard, and Rollins all make more than Wright and Reyes, who signed similar below market deals. How come Reyes and Wright aren't "being disrespected"? Its a stupid argument. The Phils are an inconsistent, flawed team. They can be extremeley entertaining and like last year are capable of catching lightning in a bottle, or they can be maddenly frustrating.
Posted 10:10 AM, 07/25/2008
RAS
I'm not catching on to anything new. I called this a money issue when some others on this venue said it was a stress fracture problem as recently as last week. I guess Jimmy couldn't press the gas pedal far enough to the floor yesterday with his broken ankle. I never said the Phillies weren't too prudent with their funds either..... Mark1npt is right on with the "respect" issue. I agree 100% with your perspective. It sux, but it is reality with today's athletes. Davegas is also right on, Rollins actually came out and said he wanted to play for Oakland just after signing his contract extension in 2005. If Rollins wants a new contract, he'll have a better shot if he gets traded. RG, not a good analysis to Phils. Florida has no reigning MVPs. Their players are still on the "show me the goods" side of the curve, although Hanley gets a nice raise next year. Uggla will be due soon. Some small market teams like Florida and Oakland always trade away their players before they warrant big money though. The Phillies try to act small market with big time revenue. The problem is they can't fool their employees like Howard, Rollins, amd Hamels, who are true believers in profit sharing :) I have a hard time believing Utley is unhappy with his proceeds, he just signed in January.
Posted 10:06 AM, 07/25/2008
Truth
Mark1npt-yopu type alot to state the obvious. I also stated from about wk 2 of the process that Jimmy was seriously injured. Possibly he feels a little like T.O. did. He was rushed back into the line-up is playing at 80% and no one knows or cares. He's probably pissed. The benching and public humilation was a very bad move by Manual in hindsight.
Posted 09:50 AM, 07/25/2008
Mark1npt
There are some serious clubhouse issues at play here....Rollins, who knows for sure what's up there, Utley MUST be hurt from diving and snaring all those line drives at 2nd, maybe ribs, maybe neck...he just doesn't look good and he's probably not telling anyone about it, he's a tough kid though, he's not coming out of the game......Howard, he's still disrespected....and clueless as to a major league strikezone or what that thing is he wears on his right hand at 1st base and what to do with it.....Eaton has no nads, Myers no clue, Kendrick no 3rd pitch, Gordon no arm left, Feliz no foot speed, Jenkins no contact, Victorino no consistency, Hamels no run support, Ruiz no bat......and yet Burrell and Moyer keep plugging along, the good soldiers that they are for this team, producing more times than not, saying all the right things, doing all the right things.....what a shame if they're the only ones NOT to return to Philly next year....
Posted 09:18 AM, 07/25/2008
Mark1npt
I warned everyone here after Jimmy went down with the ankle injury during the 1st week of the season, that we had probably seen the last of the Superstar Jimmy....the game breaker, the "difference"....he was doomed to be a mediocre player for the rest of his career....I was laughed at by some, taken seriouosly by others......a week turned into 3-4, we were assured that he didn't have a fracture......we are still and his teammates are still waiting for the real Jimmy to show up....he has played this season with a lack of focus, nonahderance to the most basic of team rules, travelling more without his teammates and displaying a new level of nonchalance, unexpected even by me.....almost like he's overmedicated....I have a sneaking suspicion we'll find out at season's end he's addicted to painkillers and depressed over his ankle injury and the loss of his game....as we watch the Mets win the NL and go to the Series.....hey Jimmy I'm getting a migraine, got any extras?
Posted 09:00 AM, 07/25/2008
jachanin
There is so much that could be said about this team, including trying to determine fault. However, it dawned on me that last year may have been an abberation caused by the Phightin's getting hot at the right time and the Mets coming up with an historic chock job..personally i think that this season, the phils are returning the favor..GAG!!!!..the last Mets series in Philly, when the Mets embarrased the locals big time, was the turn around...since then the Metros have been sizzling and the Phightins have been mediocre....frankly there is an attitude about the Phils that is sort of "ho hum"...very seldim do they hit in the clutch...and this is an old story that was even evident last year....to me it seems that although pitching is the key...the phillies pitchers have not been all that bad...even Eaton threw a few strong games before his two blow-ups...but no run support, even in a ball park that is the second coming of the "homer dome"...just look at yesterday's game and see how many really good scoring chances were squandered...and of course, as the coup de grace...there was "j-roll"...swing at the first pitch again...and out he goes....UGH!!!!! sorry for the length of the rant...but it is so frustrating....i guess all that is left is worrying about B-West's hold out, Lito's demise and Shawn Andrews' disappearing act...wait a minute!!!....GO SOUL!!!!!
Posted 08:50 AM, 07/25/2008
Jimmy CrackHead
Keep driving the car Jimmy and support wasting gas.
Posted 08:42 AM, 07/25/2008
RG
Truth, you tool, let me say this real slow. If it was ALL about money, then explain to me how Florida and Tampa Bay are right in the thick of their divisions with payrolls a fraction of the Phils, Mets, Yanks, and Red Sox. Are their players being disrepected? Its about talent not a paycheck. You sound like a disgruntled employee.
Posted 08:25 AM, 07/25/2008
phillybob
Might this have avoided the whole situation...pick up the cell phone and say something like... "Hey Chuck...it's Jimmy...man, I'm jammed up in traffic. I left the same time I always do, but this is crazy. I'm probably going to be late and I know you only have two rules, and being on time is one of them. Just wanna give you a heads up, that it isn't intentional, and on my way".
Posted 04:59 AM, 07/25/2008
JimG
Players are paid based on service time before they are eligible for free-agency. Service time dominates this salary structure. You guys who whine about the salaries of Howard, Hamels, etc. and berate guys like Utley who sign long-term deals when they have no leverage and no eligibility for free-agency don't have a clue what you are talking about. If you're a second-year player, you're going to get paid like a second-year player. You're not going to get 15 to 20 million no matter how good of a season you had. This is the way it works for every MLB team.
Comment removed.
Posted 02:19 AM, 07/25/2008
maximusud
This team is a joke. We should sell them all and start over.
Posted 12:23 AM, 07/25/2008
davetheherman
Sometimes when they say they are :checking for content" I think it really means "our server stinks so we have to BS you as it might not work." Anyway, my point WAS: BAD move on Charlie's part. Give him hell behind closed doors, fine him, but for pete's sake when you are in the third game against the STINKIN' METS vieing for first place let him play! Who cares if he isn't leading in the manner he was last year, keep Jimmy Rollins, our MVP shortstop on the field! Besides, the season just started again, no?
Posted 12:03 AM, 07/25/2008
Norma
Clinton, NJ.....I reiterated Truth's "WHERE IS CHASE UTLEY?" in the previous topic. Can't believe we're agreeing with him! LOL! Hope this isn't the start of another long slump. Maybe the boo-birds at Shea freaked him out. He's certainly not used to that. Our hopes of a 3rd MVP in a row are slowly tanking.
Posted 10:47 PM, 07/24/2008
pat h
Milt Thompson has been doing a great job. Taking a one of the feared line-ups in the league and bringing it down to the worst in the league the last 30 games.. Job security in question ? i2 of thse games the Phils were held to 2runs or less.. The Phillies brass need to send a message.. Lets start with Thompson...
Posted 10:39 PM, 07/24/2008
Clinton, NJ
And one more thing lost in all of this Jimmy lateness.....MOYER RULES ANOTHER DAY!!!!!
Posted 10:01 PM, 07/24/2008
Clinton, NJ
And Truth, Utley does suck right now! Im not afraid to say it, gulp, hi Norma!
Posted 09:04 PM, 07/24/2008
KMG
Truth-I disagree. Contracts and contract status have nothing to do with showing up on time and hustling. Rollins is a leader on this team and the reigning MVP. He needs to play like it and lead by example. As far as I'm concerned the entire offense needs to be taken to task for sleepwalking since May 1. I'm not giving Cholly a pass, his game day decisions have been poor. He's not, however, swinging a bat and ultimately the big names in the lineup are not producing. I think all of us who post on the blog, myself included, have been guilty of focusing on one player or another as the problem with the offense. As I see it, it's all of them.
Posted 08:49 PM, 07/24/2008
Nihilist
Man, has MVP gone to this guy's head. Who in their right mind would want to drive in NY traffic? Is he too good to ride the luxury bus with his teammates? Or, did he want to show off his fancy short? Maybe, MAYBE, he could pull this off if he was having another MVP year! Batting .270? Not being Jimmy Hustle from home to first? Maybe the MVP Crown weighed too heavily on him the other day and kept him from coming even close to scoring from first on a two out double in a critical game. Leader, J Roll? Doubt you can spell it this year! Better have cotton in your ears when you get back home!
Posted 08:42 PM, 07/24/2008
Joe in Haddonfield
Jimmy arrived late today. But he still hasn't shown up for the 2008 season.
Posted 07:29 PM, 07/24/2008
Mark1npt
This team is imploding right before our very eyes...just as I said 4 weeks ago......how can Jimmy profess to be the team leader when he disrespects the game multiple times this year and sets such a bad example?.....you can't replace a WS ring on this team with a jive smilin fool.....there's no credibility there, even if he did win the MVP last year...he is not a world championb and he does not have a ring....he's not doing squat this year......the pen is dead in the water already from all the overuse in the first half.....Eaton will never pitch out of the pen......Blanton was not an upgrade.....Jenkins and Ruiz should have been released by now....Happ and Carrasco should have been promoted by now......and we have the biggest issue of all....DISRESPECT......Howard with his money.....Burrell not being wanted by ownership after publicly stating his loyality to the team and the city........Rollins being paid like the 9th best SS in the NL, etc.....the players are responding and letting you know loud and clear......is anyhbody listening?......pretty soon we'll have players standing around looking at 3 straight strikes down the middle and never taking their bat off their shoulder, just like Manny did for Boston a few weeks ago....he showed his bosses, didn't he? DISRESPECT......the belittled modern day players favorite motivator and word.......some dynasty we built here last year, huh?
Posted 06:28 PM, 07/24/2008
Suze26
Truth, You wouldn't know the truth if it slapped you in the face.
Posted 06:24 PM, 07/24/2008
pat h
I'm sure their all making the team bus in San Fran. Rowand won't put up with that type of behavior. Thats why the Giants are running away with the west . How do I find a respectful way to call all you Rowan fans idi_ts... The whole team is in a swoon,stop looking for scapegoats there plenty of them to see..
Posted 06:16 PM, 07/24/2008
Norma
Why is Charlie a baffoon? Why shouldn't he discipline J.Roll for breaking the rules? Because Rollins is the reigning MVP? Why the heck can't Jimmy take the bus like everyone else???? Why did J.Roll disagree with Charlie's decision? Because he's the reigning MVP, and doesn't have to follow the rules? Does anyone else think, "Diva"?
Posted 06:13 PM, 07/24/2008
joeyjoejoe
You can't tell J-Roll anything. He's the MVP. You certainly can't ask him to take a pitch after he's sat on the bench all game long. Nope. He wants to swing first pitch. He's the MVP though. Nothing he ever does is wrong.
Posted 06:11 PM, 07/24/2008
Truth
RAS-I'm glad you're catching on. The thing is Rollins probably would have accepted his fate if he witnessed the team take care of its other stars. To give Howard 900k after an MVP season slapped all the players in the face. Utley signed a foolish deal,(2nd only to Braun) and RAS it wouldn't suprise if Utley is now realizing it as well. He is married and his wife is probably wondering why the so-called best 2nd baseman of our generation is getting paid like a mid teir player. He may not have been smart enough to recongize it but I BET his wife is making him feel pretty stupid on occasion. Simply the TRUTH.
Posted 05:56 PM, 07/24/2008
Truth
Scotty82 glad you admit what I have been saying since this BRAINTRUST chose not to sign the heart and soul early in the off-season. Sometimes to win a series you have to overpay. Furthermore would it have been overpaying? scars73 you can't bat pat 4th, Howard would never see a pitch to hit. Leave the managing to Cholly you're the buffoon.
Posted 05:53 PM, 07/24/2008
RAS
Jokes aside, I'm still not budging from my earlier ascertations that all this Jimmy BS is really all about money. The next thing you know he'll be doing sit-ups in his driveway for the News crews. T.O. all over again. Buddy Ryan took the rap for his talented Eagles not winning the SB under him. But the real reason IMHO is that owner Norman Braman would fight to the death over money. Aside from Randall who was well compensated, Reggie White, Clyde Simmons, Seth Joyner, Kieth Byers, etc. never got the really big paydays (in Philly), and I think it affected the outcome of that regime. So you can argue all year about who's right and who's wrong, but if guys like Rollins and Howard TRULY BELIEVE that they are underpaid, we all can kiss away any hope of a championship. For all we know after this series, Utley could be a sympathizer...I doubt it though.
Posted 05:40 PM, 07/24/2008
scars73
Oh stop with the "it would have never happened if Aaron was here!" Manuel is a buffoon like someonme already said, and he is trying to find an excuse and blame someone for his c_appy managing! Jimmy Rollins may not be having the same season he was last year, but he certainly isn't the worst one on this team! Jimmy Rollins is not the problem here. Stop batting Utely second and Shane at the bottom of the lineup. Burrel should be hitting 4th, Howard fifth. Why wouldn't you put Burrell and his amazing OBP in front of the league leade rin RBI's?
Posted 05:40 PM, 07/24/2008
delravio
Rollins' team? What about Utley? He looks more like Denny Doyle than the pre-ordained MVP. Boo? Utley you.
Posted 05:27 PM, 07/24/2008
brady
NEVER would have happened if Rowand were here. How much of our lethargy is the result of no one stepping up to lead this team?
Posted 05:00 PM, 07/24/2008
Joe Mastronardo
Manuel is a buffoon. Long live the "new" Jimmy Rollins! This bunch of bums isnt worth his time!
Posted 04:55 PM, 07/24/2008
scotty82
I've been saying all year it was the right thing to do not to overpay for Rowand. His leadership could be replaced. Well, I must now admit I was wrong. If we had Rowand still, he'd be up in Rollins' face today, if not weeks ago, telling him he better shape up and take his head out of his you-know-what. This team lacks that character. And sense of urgency. Blow it up
Posted 04:50 PM, 07/24/2008
beeron
can somebody remind this guy he isnt Ricky Henderson?
Posted 04:44 PM, 07/24/2008
RAS
So supposedly Charley calls Jimmy into his office today and says, "So what is it with you Rollins, ignorance or apathy?" Jimmy says, "Coach, I don't know and I don't care."
Posted 04:38 PM, 07/24/2008
James TL
Rules are rules Jimmy! Is it so hard to follow them or do think you are too cool? This is a disgrace from a MVP. This team is going nowhere. I'll be glad to eat those words come October but I doubt I'll have to. Rollins is this team's leader. The rest of the players look up to him. No wonder the whole team looks like they're not trying. It starts at the top.
Posted 04:38 PM, 07/24/2008
James TL
Rules are rules Jimmy! Is it so hard to follow them or do think you are too cool? This is a disgrace from a MVP. This team is going nowhere. I'll be glad to eat those words come October but I doubt I'll have to. Rollins is this team's leader. The rest of the players look up to him. No wonder the whole team looks like they're not trying. It starts at the top.
Posted 04:22 PM, 07/24/2008
Truth
There is no excuse for Rollins in this case. Unless your leg is falling off, be on time or air your grieveance if you have one. For a pivotal game like this you must be on time...
Posted 04:10 PM, 07/24/2008
Bryan
remove your head from your behind, Rollins. -edited for the kids
Posted 04:01 PM, 07/24/2008
RAS
That's why they have a team bus from the hotel, so players aren't late. Duh! No excuse, guilty as charged. Bailiff, take him away!
About Andy Martino
Andy Martino is in his first season on the Phillies beat. A former New York City public school teacher and graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, he previously wrote for the New York Daily News, where he covered baseball and worked with the award-winning investigative sports "I-team."
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