Jimmy Rollins had something to say to Phillies fans after Wednesday’s win.
The Philadelphia Phillies have put themselves in a good position in recent weeks.
Not only has the club been winners of 12 of their last 13 games, but they also are 41-19 since June 1 — marking their best 60-game stretch since their franchise-best 102-win season in 2011.
And by completing the seemingly improbable comeback against Sandy Alcantara and the Miami Marlins on Wednesday, the Phillies advanced to a season-best 14 games over .500 and secured their second winning streak of at least seven games in the 2022 season.
The last times the club accomplished the impressive feat of multiple seven-plus-game winning streaks was during the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons, notes Bob Vetrone Jr. Among the players who significantly contributed during that unforgettable Phillies era was shortstop Jimmy Rollins.
The franchise hits leader and 2007 Most Valuable Player took to social media after the Phillies win — just as, if not more, excited as the fans. Rollins started by tweeting that the 2022 Phillies “have it” and that while it has taken some time, the club is “here to win.”
The @Phillies score 3 in the 8th and extend their winning streak to 7!
— MLB (@MLB) August 11, 2022
(MLB x @Adobe) pic.twitter.com/9PuzR08OZ9
Rollins then proceeded to “call out” Phillies fans, but all with good intentions:
"“Still seeing too many empty seats at the Bank though. Where are the sellouts that get the bank rocking and make Philadelphia the best sports town in the world?!!!”"
Entering Wednesday, the team averaged 28,292 fans per home game — which ranks exactly in the middle of the pack in Major League Baseball, 15th, according to Baseball-Reference.
Almost 14 years ago to the day, Rollins similarly called out Phillies fans for being “frontrunners” amid the team’s postseason push that ultimately ended in a 2008 World Series championship:
"“They’re frontrunners. When you’re doing good, they’re on your side. When you’re doing bad, they’re completely against you.”"
Could the three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove Award winner be attempting some four-dimensional chess with this quote — aiming to manifest the franchise’s first postseason appearance since 2011?
Rollins hasn’t played a game for the Phillies since 2014, but his words just might make a difference eight years later.
If Rollins’ push works to get the team back to Red October, fans can partly have the 17-year veteran to thank. Regardless, the Phillies comeback Wednesday evening featured meaningful moments with excitement not seen in South Philadelphia since the days of Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and others taking the field at Citizens Bank Park.
Kyle Schwarber fired the fans up. Noah Syndergaard and the bullpen kept the team in the game. Seranthony Dominguez closed the door. There was plenty of small ball, and J.T. Realmuto ultimately drove in the winning run.
Just 52 games remain in the regular season, and the Phils remain very well in control of their own destiny.