And the winner of the NL MVP...

[K.C.]

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2007/10/11/NkCPKQm6.jpg

Looks like I'll have to update my sig.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

Meh

:king:

[NickyL0885]

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2007/10/11/NkCPKQm6.jpg

Looks like I'll have to update my sig.

He still sucks

[K.C.]

He still sucks

Why did you have to go and do that? Now I have to go and do this:

Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Rollins, Phillies confident about chances in '07

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA -- Pitchers and catchers don't report to spring training for another three weeks and exhibition games are still more than a month away. The Philadelphia Phillies already are talking about the postseason.

"I think we are the team to beat in the NL East -- finally."
-- Jimmy Rollins


"I think we are the team to beat in the NL East -- finally," shortstop Jimmy Rollins said Tuesday. "But, that's only on paper."


The New York Mets cruised to the division title last season, finishing 12 games ahead of the Phillies. But Philadelphia overcame a poor start and a midseason roster purge to take the lead in the NL wild-card standings with only one week remaining in the regular season, only to fall short for the second straight year.


Now, the Phillies are quite confident they'll make the playoffs for the first time since 1993.


General manager Pat Gillick strengthened an already-solid starting rotation by adding Freddy Garcia and Adam Eaton in the offseason, and made minor moves to bolster an offense that led the league in runs scored.


"For the first time since I've been here, I can say I know we have the pitching to get us there," said Rollins, a three-time All-Star in six seasons in the majors. "Our offense has been productive the last couple years, but it's tough when it's 6-0 in the third inning."


Garcia was 17-9 with the Chicago White Sox last year and has won at least 16 games four times in his eight-year career. Eaton is a two-time 11-game winner with a higher upside if he avoids injuries that have plagued him in recent years.


Brett Myers (12-7, 3.91 ERA) and Cole Hamels (9-8, 4.08) might be the 1-2 punch atop the rotation while veteran Jamie Moyer (11-14, 4.30 with the Phillies and Seattle) rounds it out. The Phillies also have Jon Lieber (9-11, 4.93) as insurance should someone get hurt, though he could be traded for relief help.


"I feel we're a better team than we were this time last year because the top of the rotation is better," manager Charlie Manuel said.


The five starters entering last season were Lieber, Myers, Cory Lidle, Randy Wolf and Gavin Floyd. Strong pitching should take some pressure off the offense, though the bullpen still needs improvement.


Gillick failed in his quest to lure free agent Alfonso Soriano to Philadelphia, but NL MVP Ryan Howard, All-Star Chase Utley and Rollins give the Phillies one of the most formidable lineups in the league.


Inconsistent slugger Pat Burrell is back to play left field along with his hefty contract ($27 million owed over next two seasons). New third baseman Wes Helms provides more pop than Abraham Nunez, center fielder Aaron Rowand should produce better numbers if he stays healthy and right fielder Shane Victorino is an ideal No. 2 hitter.


"When you have good starting pitching, it makes your job a lot easier," said Howard, who had 58 homers and 149 RBIs last year.


Since last July, Gillick has changed the face of the franchise. Gone are Bobby Abreu, Mike Lieberthal, David Bell and Wolf. The laid-back personalities who dominated the clubhouse for years have been replaced by high-energy, fiery leaders like Utley, Rollins and Rowand.


"Talk is cheap," Rowand said. "I can't tell you if we're better than the Mets. All I know is we're going to go out and play with heart every single game."

[hexy68]

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2007/10/11/NkCPKQm6.jpg

Looks like I'll have to update my sig.

Bravo K.C....that made my day!!! well deserved j-roll!!!!!!!

[Earlshog]

Nice... Two years in a row, back to back brotha's, maybe they should sign Tori Hunter... haha


Congrats Jimbo!

[ralphbxny]

Congrats J -Ro!!

[foodcourtdruide]

A lead-off hitter with a .344 OBP winning the MVP? Granted he had a really good year and was important to the Phillies for their run, but Holliday was just as important to the Rockies. Statistically this isn't even CLOSE, Holliday wins in almost every category. Rollins plays a harder position and is a gold glove, but I don't know if that's enough to close the gap between him and Holliday's stats.

[Earlshog]

A lead-off hitter with a .344 OBP winning the MVP? Granted he had a really good year and was important to the Phillies for their run, but Holliday was just as important to the Rockies. Statistically this isn't even CLOSE, Holliday wins in almost every category. Rollins plays a harder position and is a gold glove, but I don't know if that's enough to close the gap between him and Holliday's stats.

A gold glove shortstop, scores 139 runs, racks up 212 hits, 38 doubles, 20 triples, 30 homers, 94 RBI's, 41 stolen bases and a .296 avg , the same player leads his team to one of most improbable division titles in history..... and you point to OBP.....


Let me guess, you're a Met fan?

[bigtim666]

The Mets lost the division, The Philly's were Benefactor

[foodcourtdruide]

A gold glove shortstop, scores 139 runs, racks up 212 hits, 38 doubles, 20 triples, 30 homers, 94 RBI's, 41 stolen bases and a .296 avg , the same player leads his team to one of most improbable division titles in history..... and you point to OBP.....


Let me guess, you're a Met fan?

1. The Colorado Rockies trip to the playoffs was just as improbable. The team had an INCREDIBLE run into the playoffs. They went 13-1 to end the season and still only won the wild card by 1 game.

2. OBP is an important statistic for a lead-off hitter for obvious reasons. .344 is not great.

3. Why are you bringing up Rollins power numbers when Holliday's were better? .531 vs .601 SLG. Holliday also had a better average, and the disparity between their RBI's is bigger than the disparity between their Runs.

4. Why are you bringing up average when Holliday hit .44 points better?

5. I agree that it is impressive that a gold glove shortstop put up the numbers Rollins did, however I don't think it is enough to overcome the clear superiority of Holliday's numbers.

I am a Met's fan, but I don't let that cloud my judgement. I try to be as objective as possible when it comes to baseball, so if you want to debate please don't cite the team I cheer for, but the substance of my argument above.

[Marc with a c]

1. The Colorado Rockies trip to the playoffs was just as improbable. The team had an INCREDIBLE run into the playoffs. They went 13-1 to end the season and still only won the wild card by 1 game.

2. OBP is an important statistic for a lead-off hitter for obvious reasons. .344 is not great.

3. Why are you bringing up Rollins power numbers when Holliday's were better? .531 vs .601 SLG. Holliday also had a better average, and the disparity between their RBI's is bigger than the disparity between their Runs.

4. Why are you bringing up average when Holliday hit .44 points better?

5. I agree that it is impressive that a gold glove shortstop put up the numbers Rollins did, however I don't think it is enough to overcome the clear superiority of Holliday's numbers.

I am a Met's fan, but I don't let that cloud my judgement. I try to be as objective as possible when it comes to baseball, so if you want to debate please don't cite the team I cheer for, but the substance of my argument above.


you make valid points, and i agree holliday should've won but you are seem to forget that baseball writers vote for mvp. these are the same group that sent two first place votes towards magglio for AL mvp.

[foodcourtdruide]

you make valid points, and i agree holliday should've won but you are seem to forget that baseball writers vote for mvp. these are the same group that sent two first place votes towards magglio for AL mvp.

And gave Ichiro the MVP over Giambi in 2001.

[TheGameHHH]

Homeeeee runnnnn Jimmy Rollins

[Earlshog]

1. The Colorado Rockies trip to the playoffs was just as improbable. The team had an INCREDIBLE run into the playoffs. They went 13-1 to end the season and still only won the wild card by 1 game.

2. OBP is an important statistic for a lead-off hitter for obvious reasons. .344 is not great.

3. Why are you bringing up Rollins power numbers when Holliday's were better? .531 vs .601 SLG. Holliday also had a better average, and the disparity between their RBI's is bigger than the disparity between their Runs.

4. Why are you bringing up average when Holliday hit .44 points better?

5. I agree that it is impressive that a gold glove shortstop put up the numbers Rollins did, however I don't think it is enough to overcome the clear superiority of Holliday's numbers.

I am a Met's fan, but I don't let that cloud my judgement. I try to be as objective as possible when it comes to baseball, so if you want to debate please don't cite the team I cheer for, but the substance of my argument above.

Every person who is on this thread knocking Rollins is Met fan, that's the only reason I mentioned that.. You say that is not clouding your judgment and I believe you. To your points:

1. The Colorado Rockies trip to the playoffs was just as improbable. The team had an INCREDIBLE run into the playoffs. They went 13-1 to end the season and still only won the wild card by 1 game. I agree the Rockies had an incredible finish, but what the Phillies did was never done before in history. Rollins carried the Phillies when Utley went down and in those games at the end of the season against the Mets,

2. OBP is an important statistic for a lead-off hitter for obvious reasons. .344 is not great.
Rollins is not a traditional lead off hitter, he really is a three hitter with speed.

3. Why are you bringing up Rollins power numbers when Holliday's were better? .531 vs .601 SLG. Holliday also had a better average, and the disparity between their RBI's is bigger than the disparity between their Runs.

I am bringing up his total numbers, cumulative. We could sit here and go back and fourth on the importance of each and every category. My point was looking at his body of work, for you to point out his OBP as a lead off hitter is misleading.

4. Why are you bringing up average when Holliday hit .44 points better? Again I was referencing his overall numbers.

5. I agree that it is impressive that a gold glove shortstop put up the numbers Rollins did, however I don't think it is enough to overcome the clear superiority of Holliday's numbers.

While I disagree with you that Holidays numbers were clearly superior, numbers are not the only factor in determining the leagues MVP

[foodcourtdruide]

Every person who is on this thread knocking Rollins is Met fan, that's the only reason I mentioned that.. You say that is not clouding your judgment and I believe you. To your points:

1. The Colorado Rockies trip to the playoffs was just as improbable. The team had an INCREDIBLE run into the playoffs. They went 13-1 to end the season and still only won the wild card by 1 game. I agree the Rockies had an incredible finish, but what the Phillies did was never done before in history. Rollins carried the Phillies when Utley went down and in those games at the end of the season against the Mets,

2. OBP is an important statistic for a lead-off hitter for obvious reasons. .344 is not great.
Rollins is not a traditional lead off hitter, he really is a three hitter with speed.

3. Why are you bringing up Rollins power numbers when Holliday's were better? .531 vs .601 SLG. Holliday also had a better average, and the disparity between their RBI's is bigger than the disparity between their Runs.

I am bringing up his total numbers, cumulative. We could sit here and go back and fourth on the importance of each and every category. My point was looking at his body of work, for you to point out his OBP as a lead off hitter is misleading.

4. Why are you bringing up average when Holliday hit .44 points better? Again I was referencing his overall numbers.

5. I agree that it is impressive that a gold glove shortstop put up the numbers Rollins did, however I don't think it is enough to overcome the clear superiority of Holliday's numbers.

While I disagree with you that Holidays numbers were clearly superior, numbers are not are the only factor in determining the leagues MVP

Thanks for clearing up the Mets fan thing. I really hate non-objectional thoughts and try to always think realistically rather than subjectively.

Anyway, I think we'll just have to disagree with the numbers not being clearly superior. However, on being responsible for leading their team to the playoffs, look at Holliday's September numbers:

1.244 OPS / .448 OBP / .796 SLG / .367 AVG

Those numbers are AMAZING. As you mentioned, without Rollins the Phillies wouldn't have made the playoffs, but the same can be said for Holliday.

[Marc with a c]

rollins also had alot more help in his lineup with howard and utley vs. "no power anymore" helton and "2 hits in the first half" atkins.

ballparks are a wash as well.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

rollins also had alot more help in his lineup with howard and utley vs. "no power anymore" helton and "2 hits in the first half" atkins.

ballparks are a wash as well.

I think that Phillies have the easier hitter's ballpark after they placed the baseballs in the humidor in Colorado

:king:

[Bossanova]

I think that Phillies have the easier hitter's ballpark after they placed the baseballs in the humidor in Colorado

:king:

Exactly. Its not hard to hit home runs when the baal has to travel a whopping 43 feet to left field

[cougarjake13]

i say it shoulda been holiday

[buzzard]

I don't know this Jimmie Rollins,I don't know what he does.Tell Jimmie you can't marry him he'll understand.

[K.C.]

rollins also had alot more help in his lineup with howard and utley vs. "no power anymore" helton and "2 hits in the first half" atkins.

ballparks are a wash as well.


Rollins also won a Gold Glove at the toughest position to win it in baseball, in a division with Jose Reyes, Hanley Ramirez, and Edgar Renteria, not to mention guys like Omar Vizquel and Troy Tulowitzki out West. Meanwhile, Matt Holliday played a left-field that made Pat Burrell look like a sharp OF.

Rollins was the total package this year, including becoming only the fourth member of the 20-20-20-20 club in MLB history.


But I'll be honest...if Matt Holliday had won, I couldn't complain...he had an amazing season.

[tbagnu]

amen to all that you write kc! and praise be to j-roll! however clear headed these mutts fans think they are, they are still stinging from their team sucking it up this year!! hell it could have gone to either j-roll or holliday and i would not have complained, someone had to win it and they both had mvp-type years. now hopefully we get a power bat at third and one more decent starter and a repeat quite possibly be in order!!!