ROLLINS WINS NL MVP....SPEAKS THE TRUTH

by Jack Cobra, Cobra Brigade

It seems like we live in a world where people like to run their mouths for no other reason than to hear themselves talk. Athletes spew out guarantee after guarantee only to have those guarantees fall to the wayside as their season/game progresses.....and then they backtrack. I was taught the saying, "Put up or Shut Up" early on in my baseball career as it was a way to keep my ego in check. If I wanted to talk, I had to follow it up. Jimmy Rollins did just that this season.

Before the 2007 season began Rollins was all over the mainstream media saying that the Phillies were the team to beat in the NL East. This seemed to be a bit presumptious since they play in the same division as the Mets and Braves, so most people just figured this was another athlete spewing out words. Well, Rollins took it to heart and was determined to follow through.

Rollins led the Phillies the the NL East title in 2007 and 'led' is the perfect word to use. He was their lead-off hitter who sparked many of their comebacks by getting on base and using his speed to move along. He used his speed to his advantage also by hitting for triple after triple as if it were his right to automatically be on third base. He was the dugout presence that kept the Phillies cool coming down the home stretch and into the playoffs. He was what a MVP is supposed to be.