Asked whether he was a New York villain in the mold of "Reggie Miller...John Rocker... or pretty much the entire Red Sox team", the Phils Jimmy Rollins had this to say in a fine piece by the Inquirer's Todd Zolecki: "I think I smile too much," Rollins said, naturally, with a smile. "Maybe if I was a mean guy I'd make for a good villain. But I enjoy playing the game. Eventually you get tired being mad at a happy guy."
That's J-Roll in a nutshell. No one could have said it better. Even when he was scuffling badly last month after Charlie Manuel jerked him around yet again and dropped him from the lead-off spot in the lineup, Rollins refused to sulk, scowl or kick the dirt. That sort of demeanor just isn't in him. His love of the game and his good nature always win out in the end and if Manuel and the rest of the Phillies' alleged brain trust could just stop tinkering with him and leave him at the top of the order all will be OK. Rollins remains the ignition switch for this club and when he's firing they will win their share of games.
* * * * * * * *
Draft day is upon us and the Phils have a good number of picks in the first few rounds. It has been nine years and many millions of dollars since they made Pat Burrell the number one overall pick in the draft. In his first seasons with the Phillies management looked like geniuses and Burrell looked like a sure bet to become a star. We all know what has happened since then. By now Burrell's stock is at an all-time low at home and abroad. His remaining salary, declining bat speed and questionable health make it nearly impossible to move him for much. His no-trade clause doesn't help either, but if he were smart (a big "if") he'd waive it for a chance at a fresh start somewhere -- anywhere -- else.
* * * * * * * *
Just when you think Antonio Alfonseca was another one of Pat Gillick's questionable pickups, the veteran right-hander shows us there's life yet in the portly body and high-mileage arm. His third save of the season came last night against the Mets. The only question now is he can hold on until reinforcements arrive? Tom Gordon's return is not imminent let alone guaranteed at all, and Brett Myers hasn't really tested his ailing shoulder sufficiently to assure his return when his original stint on the DL expires soon.
* * * * * * * *
Wes Helms is becoming the forgotten man on the Phillies. Signed to provide "protection" behind Ryan Howard and solve the "black hole" problem at third base, Helms has done neither. With no home runs and 19 rbi's the question in this observer's mind is this: does Helms represent an improvement over Chris Coste in any department, especially the "feel good" and justice ones?
No comments:
Post a Comment