I owe Jimmy Rollins an apology
Posted by: Richie Rich in 2008 MLB Playoffs, Home Run of the Day, PhilliesDear Jimmy Rollins,
I’m sorry I doubted you.
Sincerely,
Richie Rich
Homerderby.com
November 27, 2007 – Jimmy Rollins offered the following wisdom:
“We’ll win probably 100 games … 100 games will get us to the playoffs.
“There’s going to be fireworks, I know that much … and I plan on another celebration, but not just one. I don’t plan on giving up that title of NL East champions, I know that much.”
At the time, I said I admired Rollins’ confidence in his team, but I also thought the 2007 NL MVP Award was going to Rollins’ head. It wasn’t even December of the offseason and Rollins was spouting off.
Then in February, when the New York Mets signed uber-pitcher Johan Santana, I said that Rollins would have a hard time backing up those words. I said that Santana would steamroller the National League.
But when Rollins reported to Spring Training a few days later, he was just as confident …
“There isn’t a team in the National League that’s better than us,” Rollins said.
Well, the 100 regular season wins Rollins predicted didn’t come to pass, but the Phillies won the NL East again - despite the fact that Johan Santana pitched lights-out for the Mets all season.
And last night, Rollins’ boast from Spring Training came true, as the 2008 NL East Champion Phillies became the 2008 NL Champion Phillies … thanks in no small part to a leadoff Home Run in Game 5 of the 2008 NLCS by … who else … Jimmy Rollins.
It’s one thing to make a preseason boast about your team … it’s another thing when you accomplish it.
And now I’ve got to eat a Philly Cheese-Crow Sandwich.
One of these days I’m going to make a baseball prediction that comes true. Because that Red Sox Back-to-Back World Series Championship I predicted last October ain’t looking so good right now either.
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