Phillies Nation

76 Responses to “How Will Benching Help Rollins?”

1. Louis Says:
   June 29th, 2009 at 10:35 am

   prediction: he goes 1-1 before flying out on the third pitch. please figure it out jimmy.

2. Georgie Says:
   June 29th, 2009 at 10:45 am

   I’m really starting to think Jimmy has an anxiety/depression problem. He hasn’t been himself all season, doesn’t seem to be enjoying the game anymore. If you watch him closely, he hardly ever smiles, has a far away look in his eyes, he’s just not the Jimmy Rollins of past seasons. I’ve dealt with someone close to me suffering from this, and Jimmy’s behavior seems all too familiar, it’s tough to understand what they’re going through, and there’s not much you can do to help.

   I certainly have no facts to support this theory, but I think it’s pretty obvious his problem isn’t physical, and his demeanor this season has been out of character for the usually happy Jimmy.

3. Matthew Says:
   June 29th, 2009 at 10:55 am

   You know, it is easy to be pessimistic in a situation like this. I have good reason to be optimistic. None of you would accept this from Charlie without the recent validity of a World Championship. I know for a fact that Charlie and Jimmy have an excellent relationship and keep the line of communication open always. He is currently on pace for his lowest amount of hits since playing a complete year in the big leagues and his batting average shows that. Jimmy is still a remarkable player and can turn this around. He may never have another year like 2007… but the man is not done. He is fine and he needed a break… we all need a break. If we were playing at home on Tuesday, I would encourage everyone to give the man a standing O in his first at bat back at the plate. Hopefully we will take the time cheer him on from living room and sports bars.

4. The Dispy Says:
   June 29th, 2009 at 10:56 am

   Jimmy, let me give you a tip or two, from a non baseball player:

   1. Look at the first pitch – always. Without exception. For about a week. Watch Chase. Get in a hitters count.

   2. Bunt a little. Unless you don’t know how.

   Good luck, baby. We need ya.

   The Dipsy

5. Albert Says:
   June 29th, 2009 at 11:02 am

   It really is discouraging. I am not optimistic this time off will help him.

6. Griffin Says:
   June 29th, 2009 at 11:04 am

   Let’s go J-Roll. The Phillies need you.

7. DHall Says:
   June 29th, 2009 at 11:06 am

   Jimmy will not figure himself out until he accepts the fact that he is not a home run hitter and learns how to be a leadoff hitter.

8. Geoff Says:
   June 29th, 2009 at 11:18 am

   Maybe it could help him NOT suck, because at this point, they can go find someone who plays good defense and cant hit but makes much less than 8-9M per year.

9. TODDFROMFAIRMOUNT Says:
   June 29th, 2009 at 11:23 am

   I think the break will do JRoll some good. The team played till November last year, then he was right back at it for the WBC. He played great for the U.S. while they were still in it, pushed overated Jeter to the DH. Braves/Mets this week should bring out the best in him. Now we go.

10. Chris Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 11:43 am

    Sign Tejada.

11. bsg Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 11:45 am

    maybe the motivation is just gone after winning the W.S.i mean how many times are you going to be able to talk the-talk and walk the walk, i just dont understands charlies stubbornness to keep him in the leadoff spot i know the choices for leadoff aren’t many but honestly at this point can shane or jayson be any worse than jroll , keep him down in 6th for a consistent time not just 2 games (oh he had 2 good games lets put him right back up top) you have to have him comfortable in the lineup and maybe right now having him 1st is just too much pressure for him, 4 days off or not, but i guess we have to wait and see how it works out

12. Steve Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 11:59 am

    If the “mental break” makes him come back and hustle, I’ll be happy. The hitting will follow a shift in his mental toughness. When Jimmy plays aggressively, he makes things happen. Watching him jog down the line this season has been painful, given what he’s done in the past.

13. Bruce Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 12:21 pm

    I hope all knowledgeable fans will continue to provide the moral support that Rollins need and appreciate. The team needs his bat and his “gold” glove on the field; not on the bench.

14. Jeff Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 12:27 pm

    Here is the problem. Its with Manuel. He is the manager. You move Jimmy to the 6th spot were he was hitting. It took the pressure off of him. The only two people in the world that thinks Jimmy is a lead off hitter are those two. This break only hurt the team. Eric B is horrible. He was horrible at bat and almost cost them in the 8th with his fielding. You need to dump him and bring up someone that can actually play at this level. Jimmy will continue to struggle. A year off and he will still struggle because he refuses to make changes. Lowe will kill Jimmy on Tuesday and drive him nuts. He tries to hit homers. He is not patient at the plate. Vic, Werth, Ultey, Howard, Ibanez, Rollins, Feliz, Ruiz, Pitcher.

15. The Little Guy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 12:36 pm

    Honestly, i can see why he has had some mental lapses in the field, and isn’t “hustling” after he hits a weak ground ball to 1st or 2nd, or a shallow pop fly. It has to be demoralizing that someone of his talent and caliber is struggling so mightily that his coaches and he, himself don’t know whats wrong.

    Hopefully the days off help clear his head and just let him go out and play baseball. The ONE thing that irritated me about the “benching” of Rollins is that they put Bruntlett in his spot. Honestly, yes Rollins should of been benched or sat, but to put Bruntlett in is laughable because he went 0-4 (Thursday) 0-3 (Friday) 0-4 (Saturday) and 1-4 (Sunday) so thats a combined 1-15, also with 1 error in Sundays game.

    As bad and horrific as Rollins has been this year, he is STILL better than Bruntlett and that is tough to fathom, basically since he is the RH Utility man off the bench.

16. The Little Guy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 12:45 pm

    Jeff, explain to me WHY he ISNT a lead off hitter? Just because he is struggling, doesn’t mean he isn’t a leadoff hitter. I agree he should be put later in the order till he gets out of his year long funk, but honestly, why all of a sudden is he not a lead off hitter? Because he doesn’t walk enough? He steals bases, almost to a perfect clip, he puts the ball in play, doesn’t strike out too much. I understand his average is horrific, but if he was batting his usual .276 (Career BA, aside from this year..counting this year it’s .274) would you and everybody else still say, “He’s not a leadoff hitter, should bat 8th, blah blah”.

    So is it because he is struggling this year that he isn’t a leadoff hitter, or has he NEVER been a leadoff hitter?

    He’s an aggressive hitter, much like everyone in the lineup aside from Ibanez and Utley, he NEVER walked a lot in his career, and it never seemed to hurt him till this year. He isn’t going to change all of a sudden into Brian Giles or Kevin Youkilis type eye at the plate.

    Might as well but Jason Donald in his place when he gets off the DL, hes raking in AAA, hitting .230

17. MeatBalls Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 12:51 pm

    Jimmy should have just been benched for one game and then be brought back into the sixth hole. He is way to valuble defensively to sit him out for four games. The lead off batter always gets the most plate appearances. Right now Jimmy just needs low pressure ABs. And most of all, Jimmy needs to sprint every where he runs – hammer down! It puts pressure on the fielder fielding the ball, the fielder throwing the ball, and the recipient fielder catching the ball. Three chances to force an error. Damn Jimmy, the one thing you have not lost is your speed. Get your game on brother!

18. Geoff Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 12:54 pm

    He isnt a leadoff hitter because he cant get on base anymore. Leadoff hitters get on base anyway they can. He hasnt been able to do that this year. Therefore he cant be a leadoff hitter until he starts to do that again. Very simple concept. See, when your leadoff hitter cant get on base that means your team will struggle, which is what has been going on recently. He has to get on base, whoever it is, to be a meaningful offensive player.

19. Geoff Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 12:56 pm

    The most important stat for a leadoff hitter is OBP. Thats the main indicator of whether or not hes a good leadoff hitter, followed by what he does on the baseopads.

20. The Little Guy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:00 pm

    Geoff, you just answered my question, so because he is struggling this year, he all of a sudden was never a leadoff hitter and cant get it done??

    I completely agree with all of you that he shouldn’t be at the top of the lineup, put him in the back of the order to take some pressure off of him until he gets going, but to say that he can’t be a leadoff hitter is obvious because he is batting .211, but if he was batting his usual .276 (Again, career BA till this year), NO ONE would bring up this question whether he is a leadoff hitter or not.

    What made their lineup so good for the last couple of years is because they can beat you in so many ways…Small ball, long ball, line drive hits, singles, etc. Rollins can do all of that, he is struggling mightily this year, obviously, everyone knows that, but to say he isn’t a leadoff hitter, is BS.

    So when Howard Batted .200 to start off the last couple of years, did anyone say he wasn’t a clean up hitter?

    My point is, because he is struggling, doesn’t mean he isn’t a leadoff hitter. If he wasn’t struggling, their would be no talk of him not being a “leadoff” hitter.

21. OZ Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:01 pm

    The Little Guy – JRoll isn’t a true leadoff hitter because he doesn’t (at least when batting leadoff) have the team’s best interests at heart.

    A good leadoff hitter takes some pitches, fouls some off, makes the pitcher work and in turn, gives the next two batters (and coaches) more opportunities to view his body language, see the movement on his pitches etc.

    He also could stand to walk more.

22. The Little Guy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:09 pm

    From 04-08 he has averaged 54 walks per season, 39 steals per season, 73 k’s and has batted .285.

    Okay he probably could walk a little bit more, but if you wanted somebody to walk more and see pitches…why not put Burrell, Abreu, or Utley up in the leadoff position.

    As a leadoff hitter, i want somebody who isn’t going to K, somebody who is going to put the ball in play, somebody that can run, and steal bases. Rollins does all of them and well, yet because he is having 1 terrible year, he all of a sudden was NEVER suited to do the job? That is BS.

23. Brian Michael Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:13 pm

    Can you imagine this article written about JRoll?

    From the Washington Post today…

    With his first at-bat still 2 1/2 hours away, Willie Harris sat down in front of a laptop Sunday morning and searched for a way — even a fractional one — to boost his odds. For 10 minutes in the visitors’ clubhouse, he watched video footage of Baltimore’s rookie starter, David Hernandez.

    Maybe the visual study would help, Harris said. Maybe not. Oftentimes, preparation yields no immediate payoff. Baseball has too many coin-flip variables to obey any grand design.

    Still, every so often, the odds tilt just right — as they did Sunday afternoon in the Washington Nationals’ 5-3 victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards. A new lineup begat a new leadoff hitter in Harris, whose patient hitting approach begat a 3-for-4 day that included a walk, a stolen base and a homer.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/28/AR2009062801390.html

24. Bruce Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:17 pm

    To Jeff who is often negative without reason on this site. I wonder if you actually watched the game where the Phillies rallied for four runs in the 4th inning and won 5-4 yesterday against Toronto.

    In that 4th inning, Bruntlett made a key contribution with a sacrifice bunt that became a hit which loaded the bases. Bruntlett followed that with a beautiful take out slide at 2nd base to prevent a double play on Carlo Ruiz’s fielder choice grounder to third that scored a run. Then Victorino hit a sacrifice fly. Werth singled to set up Utley’s triple off wall in centerfield for two more runs. Never underestimate Bruntlett’s value to the team when given more opportunity to play. His scrappy play yesterday woke up and energized the team.

25. NJ Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:19 pm

    Would be great to see an article about how well J-Roll prepares for games.

26. Geoff Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:26 pm

    No you drop him in the order until he starts doing the things that you need a leadoff hitter to do. When he starts doing that again, then you give him his slot back….

    And im not negative without reason. All things have a cause.

27. NJ Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:29 pm

    Wow Geoff that might be the nicest thing you’ve said about J-Roll.

28. The Little Guy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:30 pm

    Geoff…

    Can you read?

    I’ve been saying all along they should drop in the order till he gets going but i’m disagreeing with everyone who says he “isn’t a lead-off hitter, and never was”. He is struggling, and that is why everyone gets of his case, yet go look at his career numbers at lead-off, more than capable of being a lead-off hitter.

29. M.P. aka A.J. #54 Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:33 pm

    My message is to Jimmy and I know he’ll never read it, but I want to put it out there anyway (hey, you never know what they read): Jimmy, we need you and we know you can be great. Don’t worry about the media – don’t comment as you haven’t – just get out there and be yourself and show the nay-sayers that they are wrong. Smile when you get a hit and RELAX.

30. beta sigma shag Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:49 pm

    geoff you are the most negative person on this site, even more so then the dipster. And you want JRoll dropped in the order to 6 move Vic up to first, in a spot he has not done well in, how many hits does he have how many walks in the last four games, or in his career as lead off.
    When Raul comes back you going to have three lefties in a row or move Raul to 7th. Let me see they won two straight NL East crowns with a lead off hitter, and the won a world series with a lead off hitter his name Jimmy Rollins.
    So let him have his break, and lets just say the season starts tonight, same pitcher on the mound against him as opening day right? So Jimmy has a shorten season he is starting leading off tonight, and let’s wait and see, I say he has a great game tonight, 2 hits a walk 2 stolen bases 2 runs scored
    Overly optimistic but I hope you get my point.

    On another note any chance Wreth can stay in the two hole for a while he seems to like it bat Vic or Mayberry in the 5 hole (ok no one is scared of Mayberry now so he might not be able to protect Howard) but some other right handed bat in the 5 hole Feliz? I just think Jayson really likes the fifth spot. Or is it like Wheels pointed out that he dropped his hands more recently.

31. The Dispy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:50 pm

    Wait a second…..Jimmy Rollins is NOT a lead off hitter AND never has been. Leadoff hitters are not free swingers. Leadoff hitters try and get walks. Leadoff hitters, with speed, know how to bunt and will bunt. Jimmy does none of these and never has. Good offensive player? Yup. Leadoff man? No. He should be in the two hole.

    The Dipsy

32. beta sigma shag Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:52 pm

    Jayson really likes the two spot is what that is suppose to say

33. The Dispy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:53 pm

    And I’m not negative!

    The Dipsy

34. beta sigma shag Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    Dipsy so there is only on way to lead off, no other way, man how did the phillies win with such a terrible lead off hitter on there team they should just trade him, they will never win anything with him leading off, oh wait they already have you are a joke

35. beta sigma shag Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:56 pm

    I should go back to the off season and see what you said about Raul, because I am pretty sure you were saying how he is a down grade defensivly from Pat, i am almost positve Geoff was not to up on the guy either in March

36. The Little Guy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    Someone name me leadoff hitters better than Rollins…PLEASE!

37. Mike N Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    Little Guy-
    I’ve always thought Jimmy was really better suited as a #2 hitter, since his OBP is a bit low at a career .329 for a leadoff hitter, but he’s got a bit more pop than the average lead-off hitter. So it would be a better use of him to put him in more RBI situations. And at #2 his speed would still help at the top of the order.

38. The Little Guy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    You may find a player better suited to play leadoff, ala Juan Pierre, but id much rather have Rollins who has hit .285 through his prime, has power, speed, and can hit. He may not walk enough for YOUR liking, but, with an MVP, SBs and a WS ring, why complain?

39. NJ Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 2:02 pm

    The reason Jimmy’s a lead-off hitter is because he’s a dynamic player, he’s not the prototypical lead-off hitter many have described above, but teams seem more preoccupied filling the spot with a dynamic guy than your Juan Pierre like typical lead-off guy. Unfortunately as Jimmy’s play has become more dynamic he seems to have lost much of his scrappiness at the plate, which could explain why he’s swinging under the ball instead of going with the ball and making the best of what he’s being given.

    Hopefully he’ll get back to it both offensively and defensively where he seems to loose his focus leading to the two prominent mental errors last week.

40. The Little Guy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    This is what i think the lineup should look like through the 2nd half, thinking Rollins can turn the corner and get going a little.

    Rollins
    Utley
    Ibanez
    Howard
    Werth
    Vic
    Feliz
    Ruiz
    P

    To me, that is their most potent lineup.

41. The Little Guy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    Plus, Rollins middle name is Calvin! I mean, come on!

42. M.P. aka A.J. #54 Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 2:06 pm

    Little Guy and everyone – J-Roll is our leadoff hitter. I’d like to see him work walks though. Also, how can one be a free-swinger and work walks though???? J-Roll needs to get up and selective, but work walks or bunt his way on more. He needs to watch Juan Pierre and what he has done in 2009. Jimmy has that kind of talent.

    Oh, The Dipsy is not quite as negative as Geoff. I am an optimist, I want us to be fine. I also try to look beyond the surface of the comments. I am sure I am negative at times. I KNOW I am when the Met Trolls are on here.

    Cannot wait to go to the game Thursday though. The dork at Turner Field in the Phillies shirt is me. I am wearing my Lidge shirt, so he better not make me look like a smacked rear end.

43. M.P. aka A.J. #54 Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    Little Guy – we think alike. Juan has been great in leadoff, but Jimmy is better WHEN HE CAN GET ON. There is they key. Juan is better at GETTING ON.

44. The Little Guy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 2:14 pm

    Pierre has less all around talent than Rollins, so he has done many different things through out his career to get on base and be productive. Drag Bunts, Slap hits, Walks, Patient.

    Rollins has been able to rely purely on god given talent. Rollins doesn’t need to drag bunts, or slap hits to get on base, he is a better overall hitter than Pierre.

    Do i want Rollins to start bunting, knowing that he stinks at it? No, i’d rather him rope a double down the line, or a single up the middle, instead of basically giving the opponent an out.

    Stop thinking Rollins is all of a sudden going to start laying down drag bunts, working the counts, or even change his whole approach. Why would he? He won an MVP doing what he does, by being aggressive, waiting for his pitch and hammering, not standin there, waiting for an inside pitch and try bunting it for a base hit.

    Theirs about a hand full of hitters ever that can lay down a drag bunt and beat it out. Just because he has the speed, doesn’t mean he can doit consistently, game by game.

45. The Little Guy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    M.P. where you been man? I feel like you haven’t been on here in quite a bit?

46. Georgie Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 2:23 pm

    Brian, regarding the article in the Washington Post, Don M. and I got into a little tiff the other day about that very subject. I questioned what Jimmy does to prepare other than taking BP, does he look at video at all? Of course, as a loyal fan, we are not supposed to ponder these things, but I try to keep an open mind, and always subscribe to the theory that it’s never wrong to ask questions.

47. The Dispy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 2:34 pm

    Hey Master Beta. F it then. Lets put Ryan Howard leadoff. Why not? You freakin genius. Let me ask you a question: What qualities do YOU think a lead off hitter should have? Answer me twit. Jimmy bats leadoff because there is no one else, and has been no one else, that was better than him to do it…not that he was a good leadoff hitter. Put Ibanez, Utley, Werth, Victorino at the top of that lineup and they’d all be better lead off hitters but then guess what? No where to put Jimmy.

    The Dipsy

48. baseballfan Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    M.P…”how can one work walks and be a free swinger too”

    that is very possible. Have you ever heard of Adam Dunn?

49. The Little Guy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    Dipsy, when you don’t get your way, to you whine all the time or is it just on this site?

    How many MVPs do Werth, Ibanez, Victorino, Utley have? 0

    How many MVPs at leadoff does Rollins have? 1

    Aside from this year, he has been one of the top leadoff hitter and overall players in the league. Between him and Utley their isn’t a better all-around player on the team. Im talking offensively, defensively, and leadership.

    I agree Rollins shouldn’t thrusted back into the lead-off spot amid all of his season struggles, but when he gets it going and he will, he will be back in the leadoff spot, because thats where he belongs, and when he is on, the team looks completely different.

50. The Dispy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    LG….I was insulted by whats his name…Beta whatever. My point is that Jimmy is a good offensive player but not a leadoff hitter. I want my leadoff hitter to get on base. Thats what he’s supposed to do. Jimmy can bat second. When he’s right he can bat third. Damn, I love Jimmy. If he has all this extra base power, which he does, he can knock some runs in with those ropes. Look, I just don’t like him in the leadoff spot and never have, thats all.

    The Dipsy

51. The Little Guy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    Dipsy,

    Touche.

52. beta sigma shag Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    my point you arrogant snob, is your ideal lead off hitter is not the only kind out there. Do I want Ricky Henderson leading off for the phillies in his prime YES. But the phillies do not have one, JRoll has been the lead off hitter for two NL East Champs, and WFS winner, so he must be doing something right. Vic has not had anywhere near the success at lead off as he has in other spots,
    Would I like to see him walk more sure but he donst never has.
    Yea put Werth up there the only right handed power you got, or Chase your best hitter rbi you have, yea put Raul up there with no one on, and those he is not slow he is not fast,
    You dump on the guy cause he is struggle this year but his approach work last year and the year before that, and really even the year before that so go and pick you fantasy team and play in your basement

53. DHall Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    Rollins is a better hitter than Pierre…ha, ha, ha….that’s funny.

54. The Little Guy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 3:22 pm

    DHall, how many MVPs does Pierre have?

55. Jackson Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 3:33 pm

    Leadoff Hitters are patient. Jimmy is not. They do not hit 30 homers. I will not bring up steroids. I hope it was not that. Jimmy should be hitting down in the orde.r

56. The Dispy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 3:39 pm

    Did you read my prior post? The one two up from your ranting diatribe? Please stop addressing posts to me. Thanks.

    The Dipsy

57. Caleb Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    It’s kind of weird, BJ Upton, Soriano, and Rollins are all struggling. They are very much alike lead-off hitters.

58. Miles Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 4:49 pm

    If we really think about it people, this isn’t as big of an issue as we are making it. At least the leadoff issue isn’t. JRoll struggling is a serious matter to the team and anything that can be done to stop the bleeding would be great. But a good leadoff hitter does not translate to a more successful team, just as a bad one does not translate to a bad team.

    If you look around the league, good leadoff hitters are hard to find because the unique skills they often have so rarely pan out at the major league level. Look at Michael Bourn. The point is that you would rather have a full lineup of players that are better than your opponents, even if they don’t all fit into particular slots.

    We can all agree on one thing. JRoll is so important to this team that we have 60 posts in response to his benching….on an off day. The guy is that crucial to this team and we all realize this.

59. The Dipsy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 4:57 pm

    Atta guy, Miles.

    The Dipsy

60. The Little Guy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

    If anyone was watching Daily News Live, Murphy had some great points about Rollins and Charlie’s thinking about the “benching” and team meeting called.

61. The Dipsy Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 5:22 pm

    Did you also hear Buster Olney say that the Indians are officially in sell mode?

    The Dipsy

62. Dave Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 6:18 pm

    Well, we won the WS with Pat Burrell in LF, that doesn’t mean he’s that good of a defensive left fielder.

63. Papa Thompson Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 8:34 pm

    Jimmy won the MVP, first and foremost, because of his offensive output — in the lead-off spot. He IS a lead-off hitter. He might not fit the prototype, but who cares as long as he’s producing, which of course he’s not. The thing I haven’t seen mentioned here is the idea that Shane is no better suited than Jimmy to hit lead-off. He and Jimmy are cut from the same mold when it comes to plate approach. Neither takes many pitches. Both try to go long. And while Shane’s got better numbers now, he’s prone to the same kind of slump Jimmy’s in. And does anybody really want to see Werth bat lead-off? His numbers are good this year, but I swear, exactly half of the swings I see him take, he ends up on one knee. And, as pointed out, it takes away our right-handed power bat. I think Charlie did the right thing here by trying to right Jimmy and keep him _ and everybody else _ in spots where they’ve excelled.

64. M.P. aka A.J. #54 Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 10:17 pm

    Little Guy – I am AJ, I was so sick of taking heat for Lidge and from the Mets fans I decided to be stealth.

65. M.P. aka A.J. #54 Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 10:19 pm

    As long as J-Roll comes back ready and hitting, he can hit #1, #6 or heck, he can pitch and hit #9 for all I care. I want the Jimmy we love back.

66. Brian of CO Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 3:39 am

    slight correction papa thompson, he USED to be a lead off hitter, and “first and foremost” he won MVP from Defense, Offense didnt hurt him. a quality lead off hitter does NOT swing for the fence, and have a batting average UNDER .215, a quality lead off hitter IS in the top 50 hitters in the league. For reference, the former MVP is hitting a WHOPPING .211, and is #85 in BA. Dont forget, J-Roll did NOT win the MVP “first and foremost” because of his offense, he won it because he is by far the BEST DEFENSIVE SS in the league. When J-Roll won the MVP he had a .277 BA (4th on the Phillies for players with more than 400 AB’s, and 6th on the Phillies for players with more than 200 AB’s). Might want to check again, but if howard in ‘07 was hitting .277, with 25 HR’s, and his defense the way it used to be, Howard would NOT have won the MVP that year. J-Roll was RESPECTABLE offensively in 06 at .277 BA, 25 HR’s, 83 RBI’s, and a very nice 127 in Runs. the only category he lead the Phillies in was SB’s. Thats it. and the Runs was a factor of walks and his speed. If J-Roll wopuld be more patient, he would walk more, but he isnt even drawing walks now. The reason J-Roll won the MVP in 06 was his DEFENSE. He was and remains to be the best defensive SS in the league. At this point, the BEST (consistent)player in MLB that has NOT won MVP is Chase Utley. His offense is always in the top 3 of the Phillies, and while when he started out in the league, he had a decent glove, he has gotten better every year, and now, if Utley is not the BEST defensive 2nd basemen in MLB, he is a close 2nd. Scratch that defensive part actually, just plain best all around 2nd basemen.

67. Papa Thompson Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 7:28 am

    Rollins won the MVP in ‘07 — not ‘06. He hit .296 with 30 HR, 94 driven in, 139 scored and became the first NL player EVER to join the 20-20-20-20 club. He stole 41 bases. Since you seem to have all but forgotten that MONSTER offensive year, I’ll point out that most of this was out of the lead-off spot. Oh yeah, but his glove won him the trophy.

68. NJ Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 7:40 am

    Dipsy- Just cause the Indians are in sell mode doesn’t mean Lee’s moving in the next month…

69. Papa Thompson Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 7:43 am

    Also, in looking at Rollins’ stats I noticed ‘07 was a season with one of his lowest walk totals — 49 walks in 162 games. Only twice has he had fewer walks in a season (48 in ‘01 and 47 in ‘05, both in 158 games). And for his career, he averages 53 walks a season.

    This says to me he’s better when he’s taking fewer pitches. Last year, Rollins was far closer to the protypical lead-off hitter in the sense he hit only 11 HRs and his walk total ballooned to 58 in just 137 games. His OBP even went up from his MVP season, even though his average dropped by nearly 20 points.

    But who wouldn’t rather have Rollins in ‘07 form, when he was anything but typical. So what’s this sudden love for small ball?

70. Brian of CO Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 7:55 am

    My bad he was ‘07, it was Howard who was ‘07. Either way, likes I have said in every other article, he USED to be a lead off hitter, he lost his patience and edge. Might want to check the numbers this year, when he is NOT hitting leadoff, he has a much higher average. Take away those games of not hitting leadoff, he is UNDER .200. Nive stat for a lead off hitter isnt it. You also seemed to entirely skip over Utley, who was also in front of Rollins in ‘06, ‘07 and ‘08. He was in front of Rollins by close to .035 points that year of average, a few less homer, 10 more doubles, and about 12 more RBI’s I think. I dont argue he USED to be a darn good lead off, but really do you want your leadoff hitter hitting .211? Really, that is the MAJOR question. And as an FYI, in 2007 among NL SS’s with over 400 AB’s he was number 3 in average, and barely #1 with those same shortstops in HR’s. He was #3 in average by almost .040 points. So YES seeing how he wasnt in the top 10 in the NL, 3 for SS, and 4 for Phillies, his GLOVE won it. Might want to compare everything. Howard on the other hand had as you describe a MONSTER year in 06 with 313 average and the homers and everything.

71. Brian of CO Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 7:57 am

    we finally agree on something…”Last year, Rollins was far closer to the protypical lead-off hitter in the sense he hit only 11 HRs and his walk total ballooned”

72. Papa Thompson Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 8:04 am

    Right, his walks went up, but his productivity was down overall. You’d rather have that? Walks are that important?

73. The Dipsy Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 8:20 am

    NJ – I know Lee will probably not be traded short of a king’s ransom being offered. Just wanted y’all to know what I heard. Lastly – My view is that Jimmy is a good offensive player who just happens, by necessity, to bat leadoff. He bats leadoff for a lot of reasons. 1) The way their lineup is configured he couldn’t bat 3 or 4; 3) He’s fast; 2) He’s a SS. Don’t laugh but I think old school managers have a thing that middle infielders and CFs are traditional leadoff types He’s kinda like Soriano in that he IS dynamic and you see the problems that teams had finding a place for him to bat. Personally, I like Jimmy at 2. He bats lefty so he has the hole and he doesn’t strike out that much and its tough to double him up. But then you have to find a leadoff guy

    The Dipsy

74. NJ Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 8:44 am

    Dipsy didn’t mean to pounce on you, am just trying to avoid the usual tirade of we should get this guy, why haven’t we got this guy, our front office sucks, our number 4 and 5 starters should be putting up 20 wins with a sub 2 ERA etc.

75. The Little Guy Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 8:49 am

    NJ, i expect at least 30 wins from our 4 and 5 starters. Haha Just Kiddddding.

    :]

76. Brian of CO Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 9:35 pm

    papa thompson, the job of a lead off hitter is to get on base. A walk gets him on base, and with his speed, a walk SHOULD be able to lead him to scoring position. I would rather take a walk then what he did today against the Braves which is 0-4 and a SO no walks. Great his batting average is now .208. If he doesnt have the lowest BA of any consistent starter in the league, he is VERY close. If he had walked in either the 3rd or the 5th inning the Phillies would be up 5-3 right now rather than 4-3.

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