“The Mets had a chance to win the World Series last year. Last year is over. I think we are the team to beat in the NL East, finally. But, that’s only on paper.”
That infamous (or famous depending on whom you are a fan) quote precipitated the steep decline of the New York Mets and the sharp incline of the Philadelphia Phillies. Mets fans hate Jimmy Rollins, but this isn’t groundbreaking news. What is fascinating is what Rollins recently said about the possibility of going to play in Queens. Even after speaking so highly about his former rival, Mets fans are still critical of this future Hall-of-Fame candidate. But why is this? Is it justified? And why don’t Mets fans want him playing for their team?
Let’s go all the way back to the year when Rollins first appeared in the big leagues: 2000. Coming into the season, he was ranked the 95th best prospect by Baseball America. He received a September call-up and played quite well especially against the team who would win the NL pennant. Following his play on an atrocious roster in 2000, Rollins would lead the Phillies to six competitive seasons in which they ranged from 80-88 wins (2001-2006). During that time, Rollins fluctuated his performance against orange and blue hitting over .280 three times, but under .215 three times as well.
Now, what remains interesting is that Mets fans had no more dislike for him than they did for any other player in the NL East at the conclusion of 2006.
Three months after watching a Bugs Bunny curveball and being excited for the future, fans of NL East woke up to the comment above by Rollins. Of course at the time, Mets fans shrugged it off because Mets are just as arrogant as any other fan base. Every baseball fan knows what happened that season and the next four, but what baffles me especially is that Mets fans hate Rollins for his comments. What did he do that was so evil? He said exactly what he should have said especially considering their roster. With players such as Ryan Howard, Pat Burrell, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, Aaron Roward, and himself, he practically had the right to make these predictions. Maybe it was a little ridiculous considering how amazin’ the Mets were in 2006, but what is so confusing is how Mets fans are still bitter over this. Do his words remind anyone of something that has been happening recently? If they do not, then you are out of the loop. The Mets are making bold predictions similar to this coming off a season in which they only won 79 games (the Phillies had won 85 games in 2006). Rollins has done nothing different than any of our beloved Mets.
I’m not going to torture everyone by describing a Phillies dynasty that could rival the Mets of the mid-to-late-80’s. What I will say is that Rollins was a key part of each playoff run and was certainly a huge part of bringing home a World Series to Philadelphia. After peaking in 2011, the Phillies and Rollins took a hit in production and have failed to play October baseball over the past three years. During this time, Rollins has raked against the Mets and dominated Queens further separating him from the hearts of orange and blue. Even with this production the Phillies have struggled immensely against Queens- causing Rollins to be an afterthought – which in return should cause all that hatred against the former all-star to go away. Unfortunately, this is not the case. As much as Mets fans like to remember the good times, they will never let go of the past. Continuing to hate Rollins past his prime and into his twilight years is simply ignorance by Mets fans.
Which brings us to the past two offseasons. Early last offseason there were quick whispers of Rollins coming to the Mets, but they quickly dissipated. This offseason, similar rumors sprouted up back in November. This time they were shut down according to multiple reports that Rollins did not really want to come to Queens. This actually gave Mets fans a legitimate reason to not like the guy.
But only a few days ago, Rollins set the record straight (taken directly from ESPN):
“I considered the Mets to be No. 2. They have some arms over there – oh, my gosh.
“I’m not saying I would have gone there. It would have taken a lot. But when I was asked, ‘Write down the places you would go if you don’t have any (no-trade protection),’ I had one team on my list and another where I would go if it didn’t work out. Fortunately it worked out here (in Los Angeles). I’m very delighted with that.”
Rollins is a good sport as he has always been. If this does not convince a Mets fan that he is not a bad person nor an evil one, then nothing will. Was he the answer to the Mets’ shortstop problems? Probably not. In fact, Wilmer Flores could probably out-hit Rollins this season. That being said, for all the Mets fans who say that the “game would never be the same” if Rollins played for the Metropolitans, remember this: The name on the front is more important than the one on the back!
I don’t think Jimmy Rollins would have ever come to New York from Philadelphia. His legacy on the Phillies would have taken a hit. I find it interesting that he made this comment while on the Dodgers, and then said the Mets are the second team. Also, I believe he is a free agent after this season, so it sounded like he is trying to keep all doors open next year.
Rollins was always a pesky player, and we have to admire his 2007 campaign. He not only made the comment, but he backed it up with an MVP season. Hopefully our Mets back up their talk this season like Rollins did in ’07.
Rollins was a pain in the Mets side for years, and that’s why he gets crap. It’s almost out of respect, kind of like Chipper Jones. I couldn’t stand Chipper when he raked against us. But I have to admit that he is a HOF player who simply was doing his job, and did it exceptionally well against us.
I didn’t want Rollins on the team this year because I don’t believe he would drastically improve the team, and he’s not worth the money he’s getting paid at the moment. Other than that, I just don’t like having former Phillies on my team.