Rollins arrives late, scratched from lineup
Reigning NL MVP says he got caught up in traffic
 Jim McIsaac / Getty Images The Phillies' Jimmy Rollins grounds out to end the game as a pinch hitter against the Mets on Thursday. |
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NEW YORK - Jimmy Rollins was yanked from Philadelphia’s lineup after arriving late to Shea Stadium on Thursday, making the reigning NL MVP a spectator for much of the Phillies’ 3-1 loss in a key division matchup with the New York Mets.
Rollins, who was pulled from the Phillies’ 5-0 win over Cincinnati on June 5 for failing to run hard on a popup that was dropped, said he got caught in traffic.
“We’re not going to agree on this one,” said Rollins, who met with manager Charlie Manuel before the game. “I agreed with him on the last one but we’re not going to agree on this one. Charlie’s the manager. He doesn’t want to set precedents for certain players. I understand that. It’s already done. Me and Charlie spoke about it. It’s done.”
Eric Bruntlett, who replaced Rollins at shortstop and in the leadoff spot, tied a season high with three hits as the Phillies fell one game back of New York in the NL East.
“That’s one of our rules: Hustle and be on time,” Manuel said. “That’s all I want to say about Jimmy. We’ve got other things here.”
Rollins batted for reliever J.C. Romero in the ninth and bounced into a fielder’s choice for the final out, ending his 10-game hitting streak.
“I commend Charlie for standing up for the rules that he has,” said Jamie Moyer, who allowed one run in seven innings for Philadelphia.
Thursday’s game started at 12:10 p.m., and Manuel said Rollins failed to show up by the 10 a.m. report time. The team bus also was late but Rollins traveled separately to the ballpark and arrived after the bus got there.
“You can’t change lights and stuff,” Rollins said.
Rollins helped the Phillies catch the Mets and win the division title last year, becoming the first NL shortstop to win MVP since Cincinnati’s Barry Larkin in 1995.
Batting mostly out of the leadoff spot, Rollins finished with a .296 batting average, 38 doubles, 20 triples, 30 homers, 41 steals, 94 RBIs and scored an NL-best 139 runs. He became the first player in major league history to have 30 doubles, 20 triples, 30 homers and 30 steals in one season.
He is batting .269 with six homers and 35 RBIs in 78 games this year.
Philadelphia lost two of three to New York and has dropped four of five overall, but Jayson Werth said Rollins’ situation won’t affect the team.
“I don’t think it will happen again,” Werth said.
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