Perhaps Forgetting Paucity of Championships, J-Roll Calls Philly Fans "Front-Runners"

With the first two games of this west coast swing ending up in the loss column and Cole's start having already been squandered, I don't know whether we should be happy that the Phils still have the opportunity to split the series, or guessing which inconsistency will surface in each of the next two games. Such is the plight of the 2008 Phillies fan.

They're still in first place (as of this writing, anyway), so it's hard to voice a legitimate complaint, but their performance of late hardly instills confidence. One of the more inconsistent players this season, especially compared to his MVP campaign last year, is Jimmy Rollins. J-Roll has raised his average a bit with some hits lately, but the power he showed last season is all but gone. On top of that, he took the occasion of being in LA to visit The Best Damn Sports Show Period along with Ryan Howard, and while on the show, he called the fans of Philadelphia "front-runners."

J-Roll Best Damn
by TheFightins

This is a somewhat surprising thing to hear from our leadoff man and vocal leader, who has, in my opinion, been let off relatively easy for a very subpar 2008 season. Fans, including your humble narrator, have largely overlooked his disappointing numbers because of the ride he gave us last year, although our patience is increasingly being tested. As far as our being "front-runners," J-Roll should keep in mind that many of us haven't seen the Phillies win a championship (I was one year old), and yet the stadium has regularly been sold out lately despite a pretty mediocre run by the team since its hot streak earlier this season. If I remember correctly, the attendance was pretty high throughout last year too, and the team didn't lay claim to the division until Brett threw his glove in the air.

I get it; we're tough on our players. But front-runners? Let's be honest—it's hard to be a front-runner when your squad is one of the all-time losing-est franchises in sports. I won't even get into the Flyers attendance during the worst season in franchise history, or how tough it is to get a seat at the Linc to watch an 8-8 team, (...drawing a blank on any comparable Sixers reference).

J-Roll has a point that there is more support for the team when it's winning, far more criticism when it's losing, and that we're hard on good players when they're playing poorly (I believe this latter distinction is likely driving Jimmy's words, especially considering his production this year). But show me a place where that's entirely untrue. I've been to four away parks in the past two seasons, and only Boston was anything but a ghost town in the stands (and how). Rollins, who acknowledged that he'd likely get some "flak" for the comment, pointed to Ryan Howard's hometown of St. Louis for its unwavering support of the Cardinals. Ya know what helps? Maybe that they've won more World Series titles than any other NL team (10), most recently in 2006. Not bad for a non-major market.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still a J-Roll fan. But a word of caution for our team's front man: Remember what we've been through, and that we're still packing the seats to watch you play at every home game.

Anyway, onto the game thread. Joe Blanton looks to stay hot against the Dodgers' Brad Penny.

Comments

[Tartan69]

It was a bullshit comment by a guy who should know better. Isn't he supposed to be the damn team leader??? Between this and the showing-up-late incident, it's like he turned into an idiot after he won the MVP.

Earth to J-Roll: apologize for this along with the fact that you ARE having a subpar season. Now.

[Hummer]

dumbass

[mattTHEbat]

Look, its the truth, we're front runners. I think Comcast and most Philly fans are taking this out of context. He was just making a comparison for the sake of comparison and answering the host of that show's question. I think JRoll was just trying to impress a few members of that panel with his response ...you know all show. I doubt he really meant harm...we give them unwavering support and they know it.

[Chris]

St Louis gives never ending standing ovations to So Taguchi. Enough said.

Rollins winning the MVP has been the worst thing to happen to him because now he thinks he can do or say whatever the hell he wants. He thinks he can show up late for games, not hustle during the game, and criticize the very people that chanted M-V-P for him all those special nights in South Philadelphia last year. Glad to know you appreciated our support Jimmy, you cocky asshole.

Jimmy needs to man up already. He has no right criticizing the great fans of Philadelphia who stick by their teams through thick and thin. Philly fans do pretty well with their attendance despite not winning anything since 1983. I think that speaks for itself. Show me a city that isn't at least a little fickle with their sports fans. Patriots fans were non-existant before those Super Bowls.

[MikeY]

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Jimmy struck out.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[mattTHEbat]

He's just "upset" because he's having a bad season and we don't love him anymore

[MikeY]

Go Dobbers!!!

[Chris]

You know what, I'll sum it all up in one sentence.

Rollins is playing like crap, he's not as good of a leader as he thinks he is, and he needs to get his ass in gear, play some baseball, and most of all, keep his damn mouth shut about the people who pay his salary.

[Ryan]

Perfectly written post. I'm getting sick of Rollins bullshit.

[Dave]

Rollins was my favorite player at the start of the season.
Story: Me and four of my buddies from school went to the Phillies Photo Day Game this year against the Braves. Two days earlier, Jimmy showed up late to the Rubber match against the Mets at Shea. During photo day when he came to where me and my friends were standing, we asked him if he could take a picture with us. He reluctantly said yes and then my friend asked a random stranger if he could take a picture of us with his camera. As my friend was handing the stranger his camera, Rollins immediately said "Nah, you got to be ready."
I was really mad over that...now I'M FUCKING PISSED OFF!!!!! I'M GOING TO BOO J-"STROLL" EVERYTIME I GO TO A PHILLIES GAME NOW B/C HE FUCKING DESERVES IT. YOU'RE AS GOOD AS YOUR LAST PLAY, LAST COMMENT AND LAST ACTION. FUCK LAST YEAR!!!!!!! THIS IS FUCKING BULLSHIT!!!!! JACKASS!!!!!

[Liam]

Screw jimmy. I don't think he would understand it unless he went through everything that us fans have gone through. I remember some of my earliest memories of rooting for the Eagles were Bobby Hoying and all those picks. Sit through that and then tell me I'm a front runner jimmy.

And per other parks I know for damn sure even at all those places like St Louis or Boston (which I have experienced the past 2 years) they cheer for their players when they're good and will let them hear it when they suck. Remember when ortiz was stinking up the place to start and got booed? It happens in sports, now stop crying go play and get your million dollar paycheck. A lot of people would kill to be in his position

[kevin d]

wat was jimmy thinking how can the fans of a team that rarely even makes the playoffs and r still very loyal b frontrunners

[Chris]

Burrell's gotten more shit than anybody on that team and even he doesn't have the nerve to rip the fans and praise another team's fans in the process.

Burrell knows when he sucks and quietly works to fix it and make it better. Rollins shows up late to games, gripes about the manager's decision, and take it out on the people who come to see him play.

You're going to get more than just "flak" for that comment Jimmy. Especially with the kind of year you're having. I don't even know what provoked it...he's been getting a pass for most of this year based on what he did last year. He's not getting nearly as ripped apart as Pat Burrell used to or Brett Myers was.

[Liam]

At least jimmy stepped up twice this game to back up his words. How about you hit .300 bat in 100 and hit 30 homers again and then maybe can talk shit.

[MikeY]

You know, usually when the media or fans of other teams or players from other teams make remarks about us fans here in Philadelphia, it usually doesn't bother me, because they're just generalizations or stereotypes...like "Oh, they're monsters, they booed Santa Claus and cheered when Micheal Irvin broke his neck"...that crap usually doesn't bother me, but this does.

Who the hell is Jimmy Rollins to say something about the fans? Given, he is the reigning NL MVP, but he not playing like it at all ths year...he's not even the MVP of this team this year. He's been average.

We loved you last year because before the year started, you talked shit on the Mets, and went out there and backed it up by joining the 20-20-20-20 club, winning the MVP and leading the Phils to the playoffs for the first time since '93.

This year, you havent been close to that. The power you had last year is gone, your average, OBP and all the other important lead-off hitter stats are down for the year.

So, yeah were going to boo when you or Ryan or Pat strike out, because thats what we fans do, we cheer when you do good and we boo when you do bad...anyone else isn't a fan. If you don't like it, don't strike out and we won't boo...it's that simple.

...Oh, look you just struck out again.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Go fuck yourself Jimmy.

[Brandon]

Come on Jimmy, say it ain't say. Now you're turning into a bitch too. You haven't gone through HALF of the shit as Donovan and you're running your fucking mouth.

You're obviously not from the area. You are mistaking our passion for apathy. We turn our backs because it Hurts when our teams lose. It hurts like watching your kid come home after he got his ass kicked at school. You need to refocus and get your ass in gear, dick, superstar, bitch, whatever you wanna call yourself.

[mattTHEbat]

IM GOING TO THE GAME ON SUNDAY , AUGUST 24TH AGAINST THE DODGERS. I AM MAKING A SIGN

PHRONT RUNNERS SINCE 1980, ANYONE WHO IS GOING TO THE GAME, JOIN IN ON THE AND LET IT BE KNOWN

[MikeY]

On a side note...Can someone please teach kevin d how to use punctuation?

[Chris]

Good point Brandon. McNabb gets criticized every single year by fans and media alike. His every move often gets scrutinized and he's never whined about the fans because he knows better.

McNabb = Class act.
Rollins = Spoiled crybaby.

[MikeY]

@mattTHEbat:

I dont know if you know or not, but that game has been moved to a start time of 8:00pm...just so ya know.

[jd]

i think im in the minority here-maybe im still in the afterglow of the awesomeness that was the regular season last year.

everyone is concentrating on this past year as compared to this year. this year is an anomaly for j-roll. he historically has played well for this team in his career, and he is having an off year.

does that excuse his transgressions? no. but i would not summarily dismiss one of, if not the best short stop we have had in a long time, by simply stating "fuck jimmy rollins".

that being said, i am concerned about his behavior this year. he pulls this shit next year, then boo his ass off. for now, i would still support him

o, and the bats seem to have finally found their way out to the west coast.

[mattTHEbat]

yep I know. got an email from the season tix office the other day, hopefully I'll make national TV, maybe meet erin andrews, who am I kidding...neither will happen

[mattTHEbat]

enjoy the bats for one night because they'll be silent tomorrow

[mattTHEbat]

at first i criticized the blaton trade, but this is actually turning out to be a good pickup (knock on wood)

[Tartan69]

I think there's a difference between JRoll thinking or discussing privately that Phillies fans are frontrunners, but to actually say it on TV is a slap in our faces. We can debate on whether he's actually right or wrong until we're blue in the face, but the fact remains that a veteran player on a team that hasn't won jack in 25 years just insulted that team's fanbase. Just inexcusable.

[Benjamin]

Jimmy - are you kidding me? I have watched 155+ games a year for years. I have come back every single year believing that the team, no matter what happened the year before, or even the day before, has any impact on what the team is capable of today.

I'm insulted, because I am NOT a front-runner. If I think a player takes WAY to many first pitch swings with the bases loaded after two walks, I'm going to say it.

I'm too pissed now to even say anything about the game. Jimmy - you broke my heart.

[will]

the perenial season ticket holders arent front runners. the dad that brings his 3 ridiculous kids to the park, dropping hundreds on parking, food, and the mlb shop. the loyal fans that remember the days tony barron and rex hudler were our most talented players. Jimmy is good, but hes just another Phillie. I'll take him seriously when hes not spouting off on goofy sports shows. We love our sports, but does he really love us after saying something like that?

[Liam]

Blanton looks fucking awful. Guy can't locate anything

[Benjamin]

Some of the points, including the main post, made here about the comments made by Rollins should be forwarded to him via the Phillies. Maybe a letter, an e-mail, something. He should hear this, because some of us are seriously offended, and after hearing what he said, and having watched his lazy attitude playing this season, I'm not happy with him at all. I've NEVER seen a championship, NEVER. Why do I love all Philly sports teams and follow them religiously if I'm a front-runner?

[Chris]

BRING BACK KEVIN STOCKER

[Benjamin]

You win one MVP (which many in the country have debated if Rollins deserved), and one freaking division title (first in 14 years), and you have the right to insult your customer?

I totally feel like I just got cut-off on the turnpike, and was given the finger by the a-hole who cut me off.

[Blues]

Rollins is as big a disappointment this year as he was a sparkplug for us last year. Just take a look at the juxtaposition:

Last year, he proclaimed the Phillies the "team to beat." He followed it up by KILLING the Mets, winning the MVP, and leading us to the playoffs.

This year he has shown up late, not hustled, appeared apathetic, criticized Phillies fans (on zero grounds whatsoever), and most importantly, not performed on the field.

Winning the MVP has given Rollins a false sense of entitlement. I hate to say it Jimmy, but you don't get a free pass for the rest of your career for one great season...unless you win the World Series. But definitely not for a first-round loss.

[mattTHEbat]

I don't think there is anyway you could let jroll see these comments, he probably gets tons of fan mail every day...(sarcasm)

[Phils Phan]

@ Chris:

[BRING BACK KEVIN STOCKER]

Only if we find the supermarket where Desi Relaford works and send the Boston Coach to pick him up, too.

[Chris]

Couldn't have said it better myself, Benjamin. I've been on this earth 22 years and never seen one of my beloved teams win it all, yet when I went to college I got to see those asshole Pittsburghers celebrate a Super Bowl.

Jimmy just needs to realize that not everyone cares about his opinion. There's a difference between having swagger and being a jackass and Jimmy just crossed in to jackass territory. Just wait until the Philly media sinks their teeth in to this story.

Rollins may have just committed career suicide unless he goes on a remarkable tear.

[Displaced Philadelphian]

I agree with the points made about Donovan and Pat, but I'll add another dimension. Both of those men also took criticism while playing hurt with lingering injuries, and I wouldn't be shocked if J-Roll's ankle is still hurting him.

What is inexcusable, in my opinion, is the apparent disregard for team rules. Why wasn't Jimmy on the team bus against the Mets? Why was Chase so comfortable with saying that J-Roll was late the most out of anybody on the team (link below)?

On a fairly unrelated note, I always thought it was interesting that Shane Victorino was quoted (I can't find the link off-hand, but it's from this season) as saying that, "The best thing about Chase is that he manages himself."

Me thinks this team has a lot going on behind closed doors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBRViluy2eE

[Chris]

@ PhilsPhan

We can bring back Kevin Stocker only if you promise we can bring back Juan Bell.

[Chris]

Someone please tell me what the hell is so great about St. Louis sports fans? I'd rather have passionate fans who boo a pathetic at-bat by a good player hitting .172 than have sympathetic fans who cheer anyway for trying his best.

Can you imagine what would happen if Andruw Jones were on the Phillies this year and putting up those kind of numbers? I'll tell you this, he wouldn't be getting a pass like he is in Los Angeles.

[MikeY]

The Dodgers Stadium music guy is a douche...everytime a Dodgers pitcher strikes someone out, they play "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen

[Farva]

you want to let jimmy know how you feel?

august 19. next tuesday. home game.

i'll be there the 20th. and i'm going to boo him every time he moves.

i'm 23 years old. i've been a diehard fan since i was old enough to know what a baseball was. in my entire 23 years on this earth, no philly team has won a single goddamn thing. but i still wear those colors and i wear them proud. and jimmy "late again" rollins is going to call me a frontrunner?

that is the most offensive statement i've ever heard. and i'm going to let him know.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Nick]

Actually, LAST year was an anomaly for j-roll. he has sucked his entire career -- you can look at his numbers. his OBP is a joke for a lead-off hitter.

[MikeY]

I'll be there the 20th too....we can boo him together.

[mattTHEbat]

READ AND RESPOND
This is by far the most insane blog about this Jimmy Rollins remark. I feel like this blog is rated G and this one is rated R...ridiculous

http://phillysportsmark.blogspot.com/2008/08/jimmy-rollinsgo-fk-yourself.html

[Brotherly Scrote]

Only Jimmy could make media moron Brett Myers look like a genius.

[Liam]

I'll boo him all the way up here in Boston. Right now I am a little preoccupied booing Joe Blanton

[Benjamin]

I don't want to boo Jimmy. I want to hold his shoulders square, stare him in the eyes, and tell him "I know it was you Jimmy. I know it was you. You broke my heart." - all Godfather style when Michael was in Havana with Fredo.

[MikeY]

@mattTHEbat:

That blog pretty much sums it up for me...except for the wishing harm upon him.

I'm still in awe that he went on the further answer that question and said all that stuff about us. No one would be saying anything if he had just nodded and said "Yeah, it can be tough playing there" and made that the end of it, but no...notice that no one is giving Ryan any shit for doing just that.

I'm dont taling aboue this...my fingers can't type the letters fast enough to get out what I'm thinking in my head.

[johndewar]

*sigh*

Can't believe what Jimmy said and I wonder how much of it comes from frustration with his own season. He had Howard sitting next to him, who has shit of his own to deal with. Wouldn't boo either of these guys for their comments; Rollins deserves it for the couple of times he's dogged it and Howard deserves it for his fielding. But I wouldn't boo'em.

Don't know where this hostility towards the fans comes from. Maybe this is salary related, who knows?

When it comes to playing in Philly, I would prefer players feel the same way Krukker felt (from his book):

"If you screw up, the Philadelphia fans are going to know you screwed up. And they're going to boo you. Personally, I like that. It makes it easier to concentrate".

[mattTHEbat]

Im too tired to watch this game . I can't wait to hear Rollins' response tomorrow from all of this...everyone just needs to voice their opinions the next homestand...rollins has purchased his ticket out of philadelphia in my opinion and i hope he does leave after 2010 or whenever his contract is up...i personally never liked jimmy rollins, hes always been arrogant..and honestly I don't like howard either, howard thinks hes gods gift sent from heaven and deserved $10 million this season, which i still think he is not worth that much for striking out like he does and his awful defensive skills...the core of this team is hamels, utley and burrell - they're truly understand philly fans (except hamels might give us the Ax down the road because gillick shafted him in the offseason)

[johndewar]

@Matt P: Little hungover this AM from the concert? A guy I work with went and he looked like he still might have been drunk. Sounds like it was a good show.