BY SCOTT LAUBERHEBRON, Ky. -- Howdy from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport, where we're sitting at Gate A-4, awaiting a Delta flight home. In the morning, I'll hop an Amtrak train to the Big Apple, and at about 2 p.m., before the big Phillies-Yankees inter-league series opens, Philled In will get a mini-tour of the House That George Built. We'll be sure to jot some notes and pass along our impressions of the New Stadium.
First, though, let's recap today's 12-5 Phillies win over the Reds.
1. Jimmy Rollins went 4-for-6 and has hit safely and scored a run in nine of the last 10 games, going 15-for-44 (.341) with 11 runs. That's good news for the Phillies' offense, which functions far more consistently when J-Roll reaches base. Rollins also notched a couple of milestones: He stole his 300th base in the second inning, then picked up his 1,500th hit in the seventh. "It means I'm halfway there," Rollins said, referring to the magical 3,000-hit plateau. Asked Rollins if he thinks he can reach 3,000 hits. "If I can play until I'm 39 or 40, yeah," he said. "It's a very large number, but it shows the longevity. The guys who got 3,000 hits played 19 to 24 years back in that time. They played forever. Guys just don't last that long if you're that significant of a player today. You get old, you're automatically a role player. That's what makes it even tougher. I've got to make sure the young guys stay young, until they say, 'J-Roll, you need to go.'"
2. One player who may reach 3,000 hits: Derek Jeter. The Yankees' shortstop, who turns 35 next month, has 2,580 career hits. During our weekly live Phillies chat Wednesday, there was a spirited debate about whether you'd rather have J-Roll or Jeter as your shortstop. To me, if you're basing your argument on the entirety of their careers, you'd have to go with Jeter. If you're talking strictly about 2009, you'd probably go with J-Roll.
So, you tell me: What do y'all think?
3. Deep within the notebook in today's News Journal, there's this from Joe Blanton, who cruised through four innings before giving up a five-spot in the fifth: "I'm not pitching very well with runners on base," said Blanton, who has a 7.11 ERA in eight starts. "I'll just have to go to video, see if I'm doing anything different out of the stretch. I could be tipping my pitches. I'll have to go check it out." Entering Thursday’s game, opponents were batting .338 against Blanton with runners on base, .175 with the bases empty.
4. Charlie Manuel said Matt Stairs or Greg Dobbs will DH tonight against Yankees right-hander A.J. Burnett. My money is on Stairs, who is 2-for-8 with two homers in his career against Burnett, his former teammate with Toronto. Dobbs is 4-for-6 in his career against Burnett. But with lefties Andy Pettitte and CC Sabathia starting Saturday and Sunday, Stairs and Dobbs will be on the bench. Manuel hasn't decided who he'll use as a DH, but it'll be a right-handed hitter. Chris Coste may be the best option, although the Phils would have to be willing to use their backup catcher as the DH. Eric Bruntlett could play first or second base, freeing up Chase Utley or Ryan Howard to DH. It's also possible -- and likely, according to assistant GM Scott Proefrock -- that the Phillies will call up a right-handed hitter from Lehigh Valley, possibly Pablo Ozuna or John Mayberry Jr. My guess is it'll be Ozuna.
6. While the Phillies were winning their series against the Reds, Ruben Amaro Jr. dropped by Reading, where 21-year-old right-hander Vance Worley was pitching. Worley allowed a pair of solo homers but struck out three and didn't walk a batter in seven innings. In eight starts overall, he's 3-2 with a 3.22 ERA, 40 strikeouts and only nine walks in 50-1/3 innings.
OK, that's all for now. Back with more tomorrow from New York.
3 comments:
If I am starting a baseball team and have to choose between the two, I would go with Rollins. He gives you more speed and superior fielding. Maybe Jeter will get more base hits, but Rollins will take more away from the other team, and defense can not be taken for granted in this game.
J-Roll vs. Jeter:
One is a former league MVP, while another has had a career glorified by the big lights of New York City.
One is content with his 5 year/$40M contract, while the other signed a 10 year/$189M contract.
One has earned led his team to two division titles and a World Series championship in the past two years; the other's team missed the playoffs in those two seasons after the franchise played October baseball for the 13 preceding seasons.
One became team USA's full-time shortstop in the World Baseball Classic and earned first team ALL WBC. The other, did not.
The Fielding Bible contains an essay stating that Jeter is the most ineffective major league defensive player, at any position. A 2008 study conducted at UPenn found from 02-05, Jeter was the worst defensive shortstop on the Major Leagues.
Rollins is coming off back-to-back gold glove seasons at the position.
Both are team leaders, but as the old cliche reads: 'as Jimmy goes, the Phillies go.' In 2009, the Phillies are 16-5 when Rollins scores a run.
However, 'the other one' is a first ballot hall-of-famer, and 'the one' is probably not.
The more appropriate debate; what if Rollins played his entire Major League career as a New York Yankee?
no question about it. Rollins. Much much better defender. About equal at the plate with a lower Avg. Runs more than Jeter. Seems to be a more all around sparkplug for the team. Easy question.
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