IS LIVE CHATTING EAGLES-BEARS
Jim Fregosi used to complain that I refused to absorb all the wisdom he tried to impart, whether it was about baseball, journalism, or 401(k)s.
But the ex-Phillies manager did teach me one valuable lesson during my four years as a beat writer:
A baseball season is 162 games long for a reason.
Good teams invariably end up with good records, bad teams with bad. And, unless some underlying variable is at work, veteran players almost always come close to their career norms. They don't fall off statistical cliffs for no apparent reason.
Which brings us to the strange, sad case of Jimmy Rollins and His Missing Bat.
According to Fregosi's theory, either the slumping Phils shortstop will have an Albert Pujols-like second half, or there's something more problematic going on behind the scenes.
If it turns out to be the latter, what might the batting average-devouring culprit be?
Diminishing skills? Not likely. Rollins is fit and just 30. His bat looks as quick as ever. Defensively, his range doesn't appear to have diminished. And, on those rare occasions when he doesn't pop out to the second baseman, he still can run.
Injury/illness? No signs of that either. He's displayed none of the telltale hints that often suggest a player is ailing and the team doesn't want to divulge it - like trips home for "personal matters" that turn out to be visits to a specialist.
Money trouble? He signed a five-year, $40 million deal that runs through 2010, with a club option for 2011, so he probably doesn't need to clip coupons. It's not a bad contract, but he's making less than at least a half-dozen teammates. And among big-league shortstops, Rollins' annual salary ranks only ninth. One has to wonder whether he's made attempts - particularly after his MVP season in 2007 - to negotiate a new deal and been rebuffed.
Personal problems? Relationship woes are the most difficult to spot, particularly when they're shrouded by the macho atmosphere of a locker room. Rollins and his girlfriend, Johari Smith recently appeared, clothed, in a Playboy fashion spread. And there are rumors they plan to wed in the off-season. Is he lovesick? Sick of love? Nobody knows but Jimmy and Johari.
A loss of focus? He and Cole Hamels seem to be the most publicity-friendly - some would say "hungry" - among the Phils' star cluster. Is it coincidence that they, plus Brad Lidge, are having the most difficulty recapturing the 2008 magic? He wouldn't be the first player to have trouble descending from a post-World Series high.
Failure to adjust? Ever since his arrival in the big leagues, managers and coaches have urged Rollins to alter his free-swinging, upper-cutting style, to cut down on fly balls and strikeouts, and increase his walks. He's usually refused, and there have been long, high-fastball-flailing stretches when he has looked terrible. But then he'd invariably go on a tear and put the criticism to rest. Still waiting for the tear.
NASCAR note of the week: There will be no comment on the headlines that graced NASCAR.com's two sponsored links this week:
"Do You Have Yellow Teeth?"
"Unemployment Is Great."
Car trouble. Let's hope the PGA has made different arrangements for the courtesy cars to be used during the next two AT&T Nationals at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square.
When the PGA tournament was held there in 1962, Newtown Square was misspelled as "Newton Square" on all the official cars.
JoePa wants a playoff. The United States has moved up to No. 12 in FIFA's latest world soccer poll, jumping past Texas A&M, which was upset at home last Saturday by Clemson.
Fair or not? Florida State officials are upset that the NCAA wants to strip Bobby Bowden of 14 wins because of academic cheating among athletes at the school.
Boo-hoo.
One suspects that if the NCAA had had any real investigative teeth over the years, Bowden's scandal-scarred program might have had to forfeit many more victories than 14.
Why would you . . .
Not demand that Ryan Madson take four days off too?
Throw John Mayberry Jr. a fastball?
Bet against Roger Federer at Wimbledon?
Pitch anything but a lefthander against the Phils?
Ask Andy Reid a question?
Buy tickets to a 76ers game this season?
Contact staff writer Frank Fitzpatrick at 215-854-5068 or ffitzpatrick@phillynews.com.
