Howard's Malaise:
In the last month and a half, Ryan Howard's strikeouts have been increasing, and his batting average, slugging and on-base percentages have been declining. Last night was his first home run since June 20 and he has hit only three since June 11. It was also his first four-bagger to the opposite field since June 7. This last factoid may be most telling.
Howard was reported to have worked intensely on going the other way at the plate in spring training and the fruits of this were seen in April and May with a higher batting average and fewer K's. When the homers started to come in bunches, a high percentage was to left and left-center. But that has not been the case in recent weeks.
We have seen this movie before, usually several times each season. Howard is productive and consistent when going with the pitch; far less so when he doesn't. Perhaps the absence of Ibanez is allowing opposing pitchers to give the first baseman less to hit but it's time for Howard to make some adjustments. Maybe last night was a sign that he is.
Rollins' Sabbatical:
Charlie Manuel sat Jimmy Rollins down for 4 games last week as a form of therapy for the shortstop's extended hitting slump. Upon his return, Rollins had 2 hitless games, but then followed up with a solid series against the Mets. So did Manuel's treatment work? Maybe, but
it was probably just coincidental. Did anyone think that Rollins was going to go 0 for 300 in the next three months?
After his sabbatical, J-Roll was probably the focus of even more attention with everyone examining his every move to detect signs of change - different batting stance, more relaxed, less relaxed, smiling, not smiling, etc. Better to sit him for one game, then return him to the lineup toward the bottom of the order where there's a little less attention than in the leadoff spot.
Showing posts with label Jimmy Rollins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jimmy Rollins. Show all posts
Monday, July 6, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
What Would Ted Williams Tell Jimmy Rollins?
Ted Williams famously said that "hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports". Hitting barely above the Mendoza line heading into the midpoint of the season, Jimmy Rollins would no doubt agree. Rollins has been struggling pretty much since opening day, but whenever he shows any sign of life, we are more than ready to pronounce the slump over - but it isn't.
J-Roll recently detected a flaw in his swing which he thought might explain his offensive drought. It seems he had been dropping his bat through the hitting zone causing him to come under the ball producing weak pop-ups. Unfortunately, since the discovery, Jimmy's batting average has dropped another 10 or 15 points.
Rollins and Charlie Manuel are undaunted, convinced the shortstop is making better, more consistent contact. Perhaps. But even with both hands tied behind his back, Jimmy Rollins should not be hitting .220 in late June.
There is another, even more fundamental flaw that J-Roll has exhibited, even in good years, which probably should be addressed first. This is his occasional tendency to move his back foot during his swing. Striding with the front foot, even lifting it, are of course acceptable. It is the picking up of the back foot (as opposed to rotating it), causing the entire body to spin around, which is the real enemy - kind of like trying to hit a baseball while riding a skateboard. It robs the hitter of power and makes it impossible to wait on a ball. And as for hitting an outside pitch, well - don't ask.
When Rollins is going well, maybe he can get away with it. Right now, there is just no margin for error. Again to quote the great Ted Williams: "A good hitter has slow feet and quick hands".
J-Roll recently detected a flaw in his swing which he thought might explain his offensive drought. It seems he had been dropping his bat through the hitting zone causing him to come under the ball producing weak pop-ups. Unfortunately, since the discovery, Jimmy's batting average has dropped another 10 or 15 points.
Rollins and Charlie Manuel are undaunted, convinced the shortstop is making better, more consistent contact. Perhaps. But even with both hands tied behind his back, Jimmy Rollins should not be hitting .220 in late June.
There is another, even more fundamental flaw that J-Roll has exhibited, even in good years, which probably should be addressed first. This is his occasional tendency to move his back foot during his swing. Striding with the front foot, even lifting it, are of course acceptable. It is the picking up of the back foot (as opposed to rotating it), causing the entire body to spin around, which is the real enemy - kind of like trying to hit a baseball while riding a skateboard. It robs the hitter of power and makes it impossible to wait on a ball. And as for hitting an outside pitch, well - don't ask.
When Rollins is going well, maybe he can get away with it. Right now, there is just no margin for error. Again to quote the great Ted Williams: "A good hitter has slow feet and quick hands".
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Jimmy Rollins' Struggles
In 1968, American Bob Beamon pulled off one of the most extraordinary accomplishments in athletic history. He won the Olympic gold medal in the long jump in Mexico City with a jump of 29' 2 1/2". This was 21 3/4" more than the previous record. Beamon himself had never jumped even 27' and he never would again. The new record was to last for 23 years. Even allowing for the benefit of Mexico City's altitude, it was astonishing. Which naturally leads us to Jimmy Rollins.
Rollins' early-season struggles at the plate are well documented and much discussed. But has J-Roll fallen victim to his own Beamon-like moments? In 2006, Jimmy batted .277, just about his career average, but he broke out with 25 hr. Then came his epic MVP 2007 season when his numbers approached the surreal: .296 average, 41 stolen bases, 94 rbi, 139 runs, 20 triples, AND 30 hr. Out of the leadoff spot! But then came last year's fairly pedestrian output and this year's nightmarish beginning.
Aside from 2006-07, Rollins has never hit more than 14 hr and one can't help but think that those 25-30 long ball seasons were an aberration that Jimmy should not try to replicate. Without even trying to go long, Jimmy would probably hit 15-20 hr a year, and that should more than enough for the team if he got on base more often with the opportunity to put his legs to use, particularly given the abundance of power in the current Phillies' lineup.
Ricky Henderson, Rollins' boyhood idol, routinely did things as a leadoff man bordering on the supernatural with an unprecented combination of speed, power and average. It is understandable that Jimmy would want to pattern his game after his hero. But even the legendary Henderson, who hit almost 300 career home runs, only broke the 20 hr mark three times in his 26 year career. Rollins has already done it twice in 8 full seasons. There is no need to do it again.
Rollins' early-season struggles at the plate are well documented and much discussed. But has J-Roll fallen victim to his own Beamon-like moments? In 2006, Jimmy batted .277, just about his career average, but he broke out with 25 hr. Then came his epic MVP 2007 season when his numbers approached the surreal: .296 average, 41 stolen bases, 94 rbi, 139 runs, 20 triples, AND 30 hr. Out of the leadoff spot! But then came last year's fairly pedestrian output and this year's nightmarish beginning.
Aside from 2006-07, Rollins has never hit more than 14 hr and one can't help but think that those 25-30 long ball seasons were an aberration that Jimmy should not try to replicate. Without even trying to go long, Jimmy would probably hit 15-20 hr a year, and that should more than enough for the team if he got on base more often with the opportunity to put his legs to use, particularly given the abundance of power in the current Phillies' lineup.
Ricky Henderson, Rollins' boyhood idol, routinely did things as a leadoff man bordering on the supernatural with an unprecented combination of speed, power and average. It is understandable that Jimmy would want to pattern his game after his hero. But even the legendary Henderson, who hit almost 300 career home runs, only broke the 20 hr mark three times in his 26 year career. Rollins has already done it twice in 8 full seasons. There is no need to do it again.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Jimmy Rollins Joins Willie Mays
In the 1954 World Series, Willie Mays of the New York Giants made the most famous catch in baseball history. Cleveland's Vic Wertz hit a long drive over Mays' head in the Polo Grounds' cavernous center field. Mays tracked it down and caught it over his shoulder. But many observers think the best part occurred next. Mays instantly spun 180 degrees and threw a strike to second base while falling down.
Jimmy Rollins did his best imitation of this in Saturday's dramatic game against Washington. Rollins turned his back to home plate to run down a short fly ball to center. He snagged the ball, ran hard into teammate Shane Victorino, hit the ground, bounced up instantly and had the presence of mind to whirl and throw the ball to second base to hold the runner. Rollins' throw, of course, was not as long as Mays', but then Mays didn't have to contend with a colliding teammate. If Rollins could just repeat this play in the World Series, he might earn a place in history next to the Say Hey Kid. Pretty good company.
Jimmy Rollins did his best imitation of this in Saturday's dramatic game against Washington. Rollins turned his back to home plate to run down a short fly ball to center. He snagged the ball, ran hard into teammate Shane Victorino, hit the ground, bounced up instantly and had the presence of mind to whirl and throw the ball to second base to hold the runner. Rollins' throw, of course, was not as long as Mays', but then Mays didn't have to contend with a colliding teammate. If Rollins could just repeat this play in the World Series, he might earn a place in history next to the Say Hey Kid. Pretty good company.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Jimmy Rollins
Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies is absorbing a very harsh lesson in the vagaries of fame. Rollins had one of the most productive seasons ever by a leadoff hitter in 2007. He was recognized as the MVP in the National League and the articulate, engaging shortstop was the toast of Philadelphia. But that was last year. In 2008, Rollins has struggled at the plate for most of the year and his latest tailspin has dragged his batting average into the 250's. And it gets worse. On a national TV sports talk show, Rollins called Philadelphia sports fans "front-runners". The said fans took umbrage and when Philly fans take umbrage, you had better gather up the women and children and head for higher ground. No less an eminence than Tim McCarver commented that Philly fans may be a lot of things, but they are not front-runners.
From this fan's perspective, this seems like a great deal of fuss about very little. Rollins is a consummate team player who is frustrated with his subpar performance. He clearly did not mean his remarks in a malicious way and if he could have rehearsed them, no doubt he would have chosen his words differently. But has it gotten to the point where we parse an athlete's every sentence as if he were running for national office?
There is a more important issue for Philly fans: Was Rollins' career season in 2007 a case of overachievement, or was it the result of steady progress to a higher level? Jimmy Rollins, now in his 8th full season, has been a solid player but he is a career 275 hitter. Who anticipated 212 hits, 30 home runs, 94 rbi's, 139 runs and more? Will the real Jimmy Rollins please stand up?
From this fan's perspective, this seems like a great deal of fuss about very little. Rollins is a consummate team player who is frustrated with his subpar performance. He clearly did not mean his remarks in a malicious way and if he could have rehearsed them, no doubt he would have chosen his words differently. But has it gotten to the point where we parse an athlete's every sentence as if he were running for national office?
There is a more important issue for Philly fans: Was Rollins' career season in 2007 a case of overachievement, or was it the result of steady progress to a higher level? Jimmy Rollins, now in his 8th full season, has been a solid player but he is a career 275 hitter. Who anticipated 212 hits, 30 home runs, 94 rbi's, 139 runs and more? Will the real Jimmy Rollins please stand up?
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