Rollins' comments a self-motivation tool
Photo credit: AP Photo/David J. Phillip | Philadelphia Phillies' Jimmy Rollins, left, grabs Ryan Howard during the team's batting practice before Game 2 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the New York Yankees Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Jimmy Rollins says he doesn't stir the pot intentionally. He's just honest.
Not even his manager buys that.
"If he's kind of getting bored or whatever, he wants to find some way to get his motor running," Charlie Manuel said of his leadoff hitter before last night's Game 2 of the World Series. "He wants to find some way to pump himself up or get something going."
Rollins, 0-for-2 with two walks in Game 2, set the table for the Series by declaring on national television that the Phillies would win in five games. He set the table in Game 1 by scoring in the eighth and ninth innings in the Phillies' 6-1 win. Just like that, the defending champs, who were decided underdogs coming in, had seized control and backed up Rollins' confident talk.
Underdogs? "We don't feel that way, and that's really the most important thing, that we don't consider ourselves underdogs," Rollins said. "We're not going out there trying to prove anything, just going out there trying to win four games. Whatever title they want to give us, that's fine, as long as we keep winning."
Rollins mentioned that Game 2 starter Pedro Martinez fit right in with the Phillies this season because of his attitude. "You know, another press-savvy guy," Rollins said to much laughter in the interview room. He smiled. "I don't know why that's funny."
He said later that his cocky statements aren't calculated. "I wish I was that smart," Rollins said. "They happen to ask the right questions at the right time, and I'll usually do my best to tell the truth. For some reason, people like to write about it."
Manuel said he and Rollins talk often. "I wouldn't call them real smart conversations," the manager said, "but we have some good conversations . . . He likes the mic. He likes to talk, that's what he likes to do. He likes the attention. And he's vocal, so in our locker room, the way he plays the game, when he's on top of his game, he definitely becomes a very good leader."
Rollins may have surprised everyone by trying to drop a bunt on CC Sabathia to open Game 1, but he was being shrewd then, too.
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"I've bunted on CC before and he told me if I did it again, he's going to hit me," Rollins said. "I thought, well, if I bunt and he hits me, that's another free base."
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