Jimmy Rollins was an All-Star in 2001 and 2002 and has scored more runs than any player in baseball since opening day 2004. He's charismatic, personable and outspoken. Yet, somehow, he always has played in the shadow of teammates Ryan Howard and Chase Utley and rival shortstops Jose Reyes, Derek Jeter, Edgar Renteria, Hanley Ramirez and J.J. Hardy.J-Roll is underrated.
But he's also having his best season. A historic season, in fact. Rollins is on pace to do something only one other player has done. Only George Brett in 1979 has recorded at least 200 hits, 20 doubles, 20 triples and 20 homers in a season. Rollins already has 27 doubles and 20 homers, and his 143 hits and 14 triples have him on pace to reach the other tresholds, too. Rollins also has 61 extra-base hits, only one less than Alex Rodriguez.
Factor in his superb defense (only nine errors in 988 innings) and his incredible durability (he has started every game), and Rollins should be an MVP candidate in the National League. Will he be? Probably not. Rollins received MVP votes in each of the past three seasons, but he's never finished higher than 10th in 2005. Last season, when he reached a career-high with 25 homers, he somehow finished only 21st. I think my baseball-writing colleagues erred on that one.
So, here's what I want to ask you: If you had to pick the Phillies' MVP this season, who would it be and why? Rollins? Utley? Howard? Aaron Rowand? Pat Burrell? I'll cast my vote once I hear from some of you.
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Here's something that unfortunately slipped past me in the midst of Sunday's comeback win in Milwaukee: Joe Savery made his pro debut at short-season single-A Williamsport and did well.
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Flight was delayed in Milwaukee yesterday, but I still had a chance to talk on the phone with Mike Gill of ESPN Radio 1450 in Atlantic City.
6 comments:
Utley maybe, if not for his DL stint, but the MVP of this team should be Hamles. With the exeption of one or two outings, hes pitched like an ace throughout.
Honorable mention to Charlie for keeping these clowns above 500, too.
Utley. Despite the injury, he's having a heckuva year.
I don't think that a pitcher should get an MVP award unless he went something like 25-2 with a sub-2 ERA for the season. Hamels is a great pitcher, but he isn't playing every inning of every game like Rollins and Utley (pre-injury, of course).
If Utley can come back in a couple weeks and somehow do just as well as he was doing before breaking his hand, he definitely deserves serious MVP consideration. Rollins and Rowand have also been very solid, but if Pat Burrell can keep hitting the way he's been since July, he deserves the most improved player award.
Utley without a doubt. Rollins is a close second, tied with Howard. I'm not sure why Rollins plays second-fiddle to these other guys, but I have a feeling it's because he's part of the "old order" - a la David Bell, Mike Lieberthal, Pat Burrell, Jimmy Rollins - who didn't get it done for the city. He wasn't to blame for that, but I just think that's the perception on him.
And in other news, there's one less outfielder on the market for the Phils this off-season. Eric Byrnes, who I would've loved to see don red pinstripes, signed a 3-year, $30 million extension with the Diamondbacks. Looks like the Phils might have to throw some money Rowand's way.
rollins has a legit chance this year. there is no clear cut winner in the NL this year. or anyone who really deserves it. its all gonna come down to who has the best august/september. if rollins does, he'll get it. if fielder does, he'll get it. howard still has a hell of a chance to get it. he's gonna put up almost the same numbers he put up last year.
oh, and pat can't get comeback player of the year award. in order to get that you have to have a bad season the prior year. pat had a pretty good year last year.
Utley. no question about it.
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