Jimmy Rollins is having a vocal season, for it being such a season of sad, wordless head-hanging.
We have discussed how his voice has historically brought good tidings. This year, it seems to have taken longer to catch up to the rest of the group, or agreed when another, douchier voice rang out with disdain.
And for a guy who so gleefully admitted he had no intention of leaving Philadelphia anytime soon, you’d think maybe Jimmy would have a realer outlook than most others. Or, maybe he need to stay is based on delusion. That could also. Be true. You’d think.
This weekend sucked, as usual, as the Phillies lost a lot of times, as usual, and Jimmy, as tragically usual as it is, was 2-for-12.
"“We’ve had stretches where we’ve lost some games in a row, but we found a way to put some wins up in a row after that,” Rollins said in a quiet visitors’ clubhouse. “It isn’t happening right now.”–Jimmy Rollins via Marc Narducci"
Aug 2, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley (26) talks with third baseman Cody Asche (left) shortstop Jimmy Rollins (2nd from left) and third baseman Michael Young (10) during a pitching change during the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. The Braves defeated the Phillies 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
“We go out here everyday expecting to win,” Jimmy apparently continued with a straight face. I can’t tell, is this good leadership?
Seriously, Michael Young jokes aside, is it? Jimmy is by default a leader on the team, and the de facto “vocal” leader in that his principal means on communication isn’t staring at people until they wish they were dead. He knows this thing isn’t going anywhere this year, but he is surrounded by younger guys (yay!) who might now and again need a reason to get out of bed in the morning and be in fourth place behind the Mets.
Or is he just saying words to the papers? That’s fine, I’m not caring either way. He’s just finding a lot to talk about when the rest of us have gone all but silent.
Onto Atlanta now, where the losing will surely end.