Rollins Takes Criticism of Fans to Twitter
Somehow
after a terrible collapse in which the Phillies blew a 4-0 lead with Cliff Lee
on the mound and thrust themselves into essentially a 3-game series, where a
couple flukes could destroy a 100+ win season, Jimmy Rollins criticized the
fans.
Weak,
“J-Roll.” Incredibly weak.
After
telling the press that he was less than enamored with the atmosphere at
Citizens Bank Park in Game 2 of the Phillies’ Wild Card Series with St. Louis,
he reiterated his point on Twitter. He posted, “Not the result we
wanted but that’s the way it is!! Now we just gotta handle biz on the road!
Also fans were waaay to quiet tonight.”
That’s
his focus after a game like Sunday, when his team couldn’t tack on to an early
4-run lead? Oh, but Jimmy wasn’t done. He chose to respond to several fans
replying to his tweet – never a good idea for athletes.
When
one tweeter referenced the Eagles loss earlier in the day, writing, “@JimmyRollins11 I think they were all
in shock. Wasn’t a good day for Philly sports. Hard to take it all in on a day
like this,” Rollins wasn’t impressed. He responded, “excuses.”
Last
time I checked I don’t need an excuse to say and do whatever I want as a fan.
And the obvious irony of Rollins’ response was rather amazing though no doubt
lost on the shortstop. This is also the guy that once called Philadelphia fans
front runners, so he certainly doesn’t deserve any slack here.
Another
tweeter said, “@JimmyRollins11
Ouch, Jimmy...Especially with how well the fans have supported you, don't rip
them now...That's not smart at all.” Rollins responded, “a true statement is
not ripping! Don’t be sensitive.”
Yet,
that didn’t apply to Rollins, who was criticized for getting picked off in a
game that ended 5-4. He replied, “if u underwent baseball, then u would know
why I ran regardless of the result! Get a baseball IQ then ask questions.”
Uhm,
I understand baseball. Rollins had a good game – through the first two innings
against a guy pitching on short rest for the first time in his career. After
that Rollins had one hit against a mediocre bullpen, and was promptly picked
off trying to steal with two outs in the bottom of the 7th down a
run with Chase Utley up to bat. I actually don’t mind the aggressive play, but
the bottom line is he cannot get picked off in that situation. It certainly isn’t
a night to criticize fans that sell out the building every night.
The
worst part may be that Rollins was continuing to respond on the issue as of
last night, telling one tweeter, “get over it! Wah.”
Full
disclosure: I’ve never been a big Rollins fan. He’s got a little too much
California in him for my tastes and views himself far too highly. He rarely
performs like a true leadoff hitter, and has never stolen enough bases in my
opinion. I grew up rooting for Larry Bowa and Ozzie Smith at different times in
my life. Rollins has neither the grit of Bowa nor the grace of Smith (on or off
the field), yet likes to try on each persona along with many others when it
suits him.
I
don’t think any of this will effect Rollins’ play, and, in fact, he may thrive
on it. I recently defended on Friday after a week in which he was criticized
for talking about his contract because he was answering a question.
That’s
not what he was doing on Twitter. He was the one making excuses. He’s done it
before.
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