Rollins Lack Of Hustle Called 'Disrespectful To Charlie Manuel'
By Spike Eskin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – For the second time in as many weeks, Jimmy Rollins is having his "hustle" questioned by not only fans and broadcasters, but by his manager.
Charlie Manuel benched Jimmy Rollins in the middle of Thursday's 3-2 win over the Mets, for not running hard enough on an infield pop up that was later dropped by Mets pitcher Jonathon Niese.
"Yea, it's not good no matter how you cut it up, it's not good," Comcast Sportsnet's Ben Davis told the 94WIP Morning Show on Friday. "I think Charlie probably handled it the right way. Every manager says he has two rules: be on time and hustle. It's a given. This is the example you are setting for them [the young guys]. It leaves a bad taste in a lot of mouths right now."
The issue of hustle isn't a new one for Rollins, who was also benched mid-game in 2008 by Manuel. "I think it it's at the point now where it's disrespectful. I love Jimmy, I love his game, I love what he has done for the city and this ball club, but it almost like it's disrespectful to Charlie," Davis said. "Charlie doesn't deserve that. Charlie is a great guy, a great baseball man, he's a baseball lifer. And to treat him like that, who puts you out on the field every, to treat an organization that has given you millions and millions of dollars. To do that to your organization, and disrespecting the game that has given you so much."
Many have called for Manuel to bench Rollins for Friday night's game against the Braves. "I don't think he deserves to start. Again, I love Jimmy Rollins, but this has gone on for too long and I think Charlie just says, 'I'm done, I've had enough,'" Davis said.
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