Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins made his biggest impact of the season this past Thursday. He did it while sitting on the bench.
What happened was, Rollins, the National League’s reigning MVP, didn’t run out a dropped popup in the third inning. He ended up embarrassed, standing on first when he should have been at second or perhaps third.
This was unacceptable to Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. He warned his team after a disturbing May 19 loss to the Nationals that a lack of effort would not be tolerated.
So, without hesitation, he benched Rollins. In this day and age when even looking at a player cross-eyed creates a firestorm of text messages from agents and concern from upper management, Manuel’s discipline was significant.
Rollins’ reaction was just as impressive. He didn’t offer an alibi or make an excuse. He was wrong. Pure and simple.
“With this team you don’t get away with anything. He’s the manager and that’s what he’s supposed to do when a player isn’t hustling. He has to take the initiative to make sure you play the game the right way,” Rollins said. “It shouldn’t happen. I know better. I need to make sure it doesn’t happen again. It’s my fault. I can’t be mad at him.”
For those who have forgotten, this is called accountability. Rollins manned up. Across the sports landscape, this type of reaction has become rare.
I coach youth sports, where finger-pointing is more prevalent than orange slices and Capri Suns. It reminds me of what Doug Looney, the most influential figure in my writing life, once said: “Everyone likes the truth except when it’s about them.”
Or about their kids.
I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by great kids and supportive parents for the past five years. Not long ago, I had a horrible game coaching third base, getting three kids thrown out at the plate. It gave me an idea of how a big-league closer feels — the enormous ache of letting an entire team down. I told the kids immediately after the game that I messed up.
I didn’t do it to cleanse my conscience. I did it because I made the mistakes. The game is about the kids, and I was disappointed about not putting them in the best position to succeed.
Besides, how can you set an example as a player or coach if you never take blame? So thank you, Mr. Rollins. You showed kids more through your mistake than you ever will through success.
Footnotes.
Troy Tulowitzki boasts an encyclopedic knowledge of shortstops, information that has only thickened as he has spent his disabled list stint watching countless games on DirecTV. Asked who has stuck out for him this season beyond the obvious stars, he responded quickly. “The Braves’ Yunel Escobar,” he said. “He makes all the plays and hits a lot more than I realized.” . . . Being around the Dodgers last week, it would not surprise me if this were Nomar Garciaparra’s final season. Not sure he wants to deal with the demands of rehab or finishing his career as a part-time player. . . . A’s GM Billy Beane wants three prospects to even consider trading pitcher Joe Blanton. Blanton is cheap and a valuable innings-eater, so there’s no reason to think Beane’s asking price will go down. . . . Take time out today to applaud the career of Atlanta’s John Smoltz. If he never throws another pitch after shoulder surgery, he should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He’s essentially a better version of Dennis Eckersley. As a closer, only Mariano Rivera was better when Smoltz held the job, and his work as a starter is brilliant, stamped by his 15-4 postseason record. . . . Along with Brian Fuentes, another reliever whose name will frequent the rumor mills over the next month is Washington’s Jon Rauch. He’s filled in nicely as a closer in Chad Cordero’s absence. . . . Dodgers reliever Chan Ho Park amazed the Rockies with last Wednesday’s performance. He was throwing 96 mph with sink. He hasn’t pitched like that in seven years. . . . Those who had Carlos Quentin as the American League Central’s best player this spring, book a flight to Vegas immediately. Quentin seemed a fringy outfielder with the Diamondbacks last season before getting traded. Clearly, his injured shoulder was a bigger factor in his performance than originally believed. . . . Cincinnati’s Edinson Volquez hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his starts this season. . . . I feel awful for Giants’ good guy Noah Lowry. Had his compartment syndrome been diagnosed earlier and treated correctly, he would have pitched this season. That’s a longshot now. . . . The Rays are playing nothing like the ex-Rays. This team is fun to watch. Their legitimacy is rooted in strong starting pitching, led by James Shields. . . . Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya hit 100 mph during a recent rehab appearance. He is one of those rare performers who forces fans to pay attention and not even consider going to the restroom when he’s pitching. . . . How close are the Cubs’ Ryan Dempster and the Rockies’ Glendon Rusch? Rusch is living at Dempster’s place in Golden.
EYE ON …
RHP Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants
Background: The Rockies scouted the right-hander heavily before the 2006 draft. General manager Dan O’Dowd traveled to Seattle to watch him pitch for the University of Washington, but left more impressed with Greg Reynolds, who fits the baseball blueprint better at 6-feet-7, 225 pounds. The Giants snagged Lincecum with the 10th pick overall and he’s 15-6 with a 3.33 ERA after besting the Nationals 10-1 on Friday.
What’s up: Lincecum is unique in performance and physique. At 5-11, he ranks among baseball’s smallest starting pitchers. Even more impressive, he throws fuzz, reaching 97 mph on his fastball. He complements it with a breaking ball he bends better than Beckham. Crunch his stats and it’s obvious why he’s a competing with Cincinnati’s Edinson Volquez to start for manager Clint Hurdle’s NL all-star team. “When you get taken high in the draft, you are supposed to get to the big leagues quickly and perform well,” Lincecum said matter-of-factly.
What’s next: Lincecum is starting to draw comparisons to Pedro Martinez, who at a similar age brought the heat along with a terrific changeup. Lincecum is scheduled to face the Rockies on Tuesday at Coors Field. He beat them on their last homestand, grinding through six innings after throwing 60 pitches to record the first nine outs.
Renck’s take: Funniest, if not the most accurate line I’ve read about Lince-cum: He’s going to be something once he reaches puberty. Lincecum has a boy’s body and a man’s arm. It’s striking when you see Lincecum. His right arm looks like it was transplanted from Josh Beckett, muscular and defined. If I didn’t know better, I’d think it’s bionic.
AT ISSUE
Has Blizzard of Oz gone too far this time?
What: Last week, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen went off again. He’s becoming baseball’s Britney — always in the news for increasingly bizarre behavior. What made his latest tirade different is that he tossed general manager Kenny Williams under the Greyhound bus. That would be the same Williams who hired Guillen and has supported him in the face of an endless stream of both hilarious and serious controversies.
When: Guillen is no stranger to candor. He rips his team and himself on frequent occasions. But this directive was more pointed. He implied that Williams needed to make roster changes, even hinting that it was time for hitting instructor Greg Walker to go. Walker was hurt by the outburst. His relationship with Guillen appears strained. Williams made it clear that Guillen was out of line, though he insists the two have patched things up. Did I mention all this happened as the White Sox sat in first place in the upside-down American League Central?
Renck’s take: As a reporter, it’s hard not to like Guillen. He provides good copy. But he’s becoming so many empty calories, hard to take seriously when he’s constantly ranting. If writers are growing a little weary of his act, imagine how his players feel. A former White Sox player told me recently that Guillen is crazy. Not like a fox. Just a bit nuts. Picking fights with the Cubs and columnists is one thing. But to call out your boss? That tells me that Guillen either wants to be fired or that he answers to owner Jerry Reinsdorf and nobody else.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
UPS AND DOWNS
THREE UP
1. Cubs: Off to best start since 1977, Fukudome still their homey.
2. Red Sox: Put together best home winning streak in 20 years.
3. Phillies: Utley a Triple Crown threat; Myers back on track.
THREE DOWN
1. Mariners: McLaren finally erupted, a tirade a month too late.
2. Diamondbacks: In Brewers’ sweep, had more errors than runs.
3. Astros: Held to two or fewer runs in seven consecutive games.
