The first thing that the writers noticed when they walked into that tiny visitors clubhouse at Shea Stadium was the lineup posted on the wall near the door. I guess it's easy to figure out what was so noticeable:
1.) Victorino, cf
2.) Utley, 2b
3.) Abreu, rf
4.) Burrell, lf
5.) Howard, 1b
6.) Rollins, ss
7.) Bell, 3b
8.) Ruiz, c
9.) Myers, p
Before the game manager Charlie Manuel said he had trouble deciding whether or not to move struggling Jimmy Rollins out of the leadoff spot, but really, how tough of a choice could it have been? Sure, loyalty to your players is an important thing, but Rollins has not been very good this month as evidenced by his .212 batting average and .302 on-base percentage.
Interestingly, Rollins has a modest, five-game hitting streak going -- and he started his epic, 38-gamer last August amidst similar circumstances. In fact, I recall sitting in the squalid press box at RFK writing about the beginnings of Rollins' hitting streak where his batting average actually dropped in the first dozen games or so.
But I digress.
Here's the thing: just like with Cole Hamels and his injuries, Jimmy Rollins will forever be plunked atop of his team's batting order even though his game doesn't suit that style. He's far too impatient -- averaging just 3.44 pitches per plate appearance -- with a .309 on-base percentage.
So rather than beat a dead horse regarding Rollins in the leadoff spot, perhaps this is the best justification for Charlie's move:
Of all the players on the Phillies -- excluding the pitchers -- only Sal Fasano, Abraham Nunez and Carlos Ruiz have a lower on-base percentage than Rollins.
That can't be your leadoff guy.
So who can? Good question. Obviously, Bobby Abreu with his gaudy offensive numbers seems like a perfect candidate, but that's not going to happen so just get it out of your mind.
How about Aaron Rowand? He was a leadoff hitter for a time with the White Sox until they got Scott Posednick. Chase Utley? He doesn't strike out that much and he really knows how to play the game.
Anyone else? OK, anyone else other than Abreu?