Jimmy Rollins played himself on The Cleveland Show last night. His character joined David Ortiz and Joey Votto in a Dodgers’ scouting meeting. Cleveland was working for the Dodgers in some capacity. I don’t know what the context was. Or care. But bonus points to Seth MacFarlane for making fun of SABR nerds.
Video after the jump.
In case you missed it, Jimmy Kimmel had some fun with our Michael Vick dog training pictures last night. After the CB logo splashed across the screen – in front of the millions annnnd millions of Kimmel’s viewers – Jimmy (first name basis) explained how he enjoyed our protecting of the innocent:
“Not only did they blur the person’s face, they blurred the dog’s face out, too. Just in case he doesn’t want to be associated with Michael Vick. And you don’t want to get sued by another dog.”
Now if you’ll excuse me, I got Costas and Seacrest on hold.
Video after the jump.
This will be the first World Baseball Classic since I’ve been blogging full-time (read: working at home in my underwear), so I’ll be able to watch many of the early round games, some of which take place at weird times (EST)– 5 a.m., 4 p.m and 9 p.m. among them. Problem is, most of you don’t work at home in your underwear, and watching games at those times requires a serious commitment (and vacation time that, really, you have nothing better with?). So I’m not sure how much of a thing the WBC is. But, Jimmy Rollins is playing in it and I thought you should know.
Media Home Run Derby runner-up Ryan Lawrence brings us the details: [Philly.com]
Rollins was the lone Phillies player listed when the WBC’s American roster was unveiled on Thursday morning. Rollins also played for Team USA in 2009, the second go-round of the Olympic-style, early-spring baseball tournament.
With Derek Jeter and Troy Tulowitzki coming off injuries, Rollins was somewhat of an obvious choice for Team USA. The 34-year-old won his fourth Gold Glove in 2012.
Worth noting: Rollins struggled offensively coming off his last WBC appearance.
He was benched in late June while carrying a batting average that hovered near the Mendoza line. Rollins finished the season at .250, but with a career-low .296 on-base percentage.
Of course, it's also worth noting that J-Roll™ did this later that year.
Rollins will be joined on the team by his buddy, Boston Red Sox center fielder Shane Victorino. Aloha.
Video is fixed. (Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia)
Tell me if you've heard this one before…
Jimmy Rollins didn't hustle again. This time, Charlie Manuel did something about it during the game.
Jimmy Rollins has been pulled from the game after not hustling on that pop up. Michael Martinez has moved to SS, Laynce Nix to RF.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) August 30, 2012
As you can see in the video, there's a good chance J-Roll's actions cost the Phils a run. Just two weeks ago, in Miami, he got heat for not running out a play against the Marlins. The dude just doesn't fucking get it.
Some of you noticed, too.
Its about time charlie benched Jimmy Rollins after not running out a ball. And pop up was dropped. Manual was Years to late for benching
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) August 30, 2012
You were warned about not running balls out J-roll. #RideThePine #Phillies
— Anthony Adams (@Aadams90) August 30, 2012
Hustle you jackass.
— Sean (@seanc283) August 30, 2012
Hopefully that signals the end of Jimmy Rollins in a #Phillies uniform once this season is over. #Leader
— Chris DiFrancesco (@CDiFrancesco10) August 30, 2012
it's not that hard, just pay attention to the game you're playing.this isnt' fan since 09 complaining, just fucking pay attention
— loctastic (@loctastic) August 30, 2012
I think that last one may have been my favorite…
…maybe the Fanatic has another billboard coming.
You can follow Ryan Gillon on Twitter @SeriouslyRyan
Congrats, Cliff…. everybody gets one… at home. (Photo: USA Today)
Okay, so maybe that's a little pessimistic given what the Phillies accomplished this weekend… maybe it's the rain or something. More on that in a second.
But first, a word from our sponsors:
Back to the Phils… there's a lot of good you can take from a four-game winning streak, but many of you are thinking about where this was all season long. The Phillies are still 16.5 games back in the NL East despite taking three in a row from the division's top team… but here's something that will potentially get you unnecessarily riled up.
Photo: (Yahoo! Sportacular)
9.5 games isn't insurmountable. The Tampa Bay Rays earned a playoff bid coming back from a nine-game deficit just last year. By my calculations, the Phillies would probably have to go something like 26-8 to have a real shot. That's asking a lot from a team who gives so many ties and leads away in the eighth inning, but anything is possible, right?
At this point, I'll take .500.
The Roundup:
I'm no longer a Seahawk. I THANK the organization 4 the opportunity, I'm truly blessed beyond belief. My FAITH is intact & will NOT waiver.
— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) August 26, 2012
I think I'm finally starting to have a bit of sympathy for him… maybe. Happy Monday, folks.
You can follow Ryan Gillon on Twitter @SeriouslyRyan.
Jimmy Rollins, who went to Uganda this offseason to help young baseball players, has been a public supporter of the Ugandanian (proper?) Little League squad, which, this month, became the first team from Africa to both play and win a game in the Little League World Series. Rollins tweeted that, on Tuesday, the team will play at Plymouth Valley Park on Germantown Pike in Plymouth Meeting:
Very cool.
Pic via 97.5's Facebook page
Another sign of the End of Days for the Phillies.
Earlier today, 97.5 updated its message on several electronic billboards it has control of around the city. Usually, the digital signs say things like Mike Missanelli on-air now! or contain similar programming announcements.
Not today.
On some of its billboards, 97.5 has put up messaging that takes aim at J-Roll™. Too far? Maybe a little, but, judging by the Tweets and comments seen here, the sentiment isn’t much different from what most of you think.
Joe DeCamara, the station’s assistant program director, told me the billboards are being mostly well received: “We’ve gotten calls from people who saw it. I think it’s resonating with fans who are disgusted with Jimmy’s lack of effort yesterday.”
The ones with the Rollins message are in the following locations and will remain up for most of the day: 95 North near Broad St (near the stadiums), 76 West near the Walt Whitman Bridge, 95 South near Ashburner St., 95 South near Madison St., Rt 30 Admiral Wilson Blvd., Rt 30 near Rout 130, PA Turnpike Eastbound near Butler Pike and 76 West near Dickinson St.
Remember when rooting for the Phillies was, you know, fun?
Yeah, let’s.
To be honest, I didn’t see it live yesterday when Jimmy Rollins grounded out weakly to Jose Reyes in the sixth inning of the Phillies-Marlins game. I used to use this whole work for yourself thing as an excuse to watch day games. But not anymore. I’d rather spend the time writing a blog post or creating an invoice. You know, trying to make money or something.
Anyway, I imagine most of you have joined me on this boat. Part of the reason is because the Phillies are very bad this year and, after watching five straight years (hell, 10) of highly-competitive baseball, seeing this slop product is a real letdown. The other part is that most of the Phillies look like they don’t give a shit. Players who were once young and hungry, that usually played a brand of baseball worth emulating, have now gone the way of so many high-paid athletes before them– through the motions.
Enter J-Roll™.
My Dad has always loved Rollins. Loved his speed. Loved his defense. Loved the fact that he often stepped up when the lights were brightest. I’ve fought my Dad on this point, citing the fact that Rollins often has a misguided approach at the plate, is stubborn, often too outspoken and, even after being benched a few years back for not running out a groundball, still gives less than 100% effort on his treks to first base. We’ll disagree on those points for the rest of time… but at least I now have a new card to play.
As most of you are aware by now, in the sixth inning yesterday, Rollins grounded to Reyes (who was playing back and not in great position to make a play on a speedy runner) and lazily jogged (even that might be too strong a term) down to first.
As you can see after the jump, J-Roll™ heard about it on his Twitter after the game [includes video of the play, with six different broadcasters having a problem with Rollins’ effort]. Step over with me.
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