Can JRoll Do It?
As Jimmy Rollins steps up to the plate on opening day, he will stand 21 games away from breaking one of the most famous records in all of sports. JRoll ended last year on a 36 game hitting streak and has Joe DiMaggio’s 56 game hitting streak. Thus, Jimmy has 37% of the journey still ahead of him before he can put his name in the record books. Not to be a pessimistic fan but I think JRoll realistically only has about a 15-20% chance of breaking this record. Jimmy finished last season with a .290 batting average and I expect a similar number, maybe .300-.310. He hit .385 during his 36 game streak after struggling getting on base for a good part of the season and unfortunately I don’t think he will be able to continue to be the hitter that he was at year end.
Even if JRoll doesn’t get his name inked in the record books, this is quite possibly the best thing to ever happen to Jimmy. As if his confidence wasn’t high enough before, JRoll’s confidence at the plate is sky high right now. I believe this streak has made him realize that getting on base might be more important to the team than going for the homerun each at bat. As the leadoff hitter on this ball club, Jimmy has to know that he needs to be on base since he has solid bats coming up after him in Utley, Abreu, Burrell, and Howard.
But if JRoll does in fact break the record, does that make him a better hitter than Joe DiMaggio? Absolutely not and I can’t stress that enough. Jimmy is only a .280 career hitter while Joey D was .325 career hitter and he only had 2 seasons of a batting average under .300 during his 13 year career. DiMaggio’s Hall of Fame career wouldn’t be tarnished at all if Jimmy Rollins became the new owner of this famous record. Someday, Billy Joel might have to remake “We Didn’t Start the Fire” with the lyrics “Harry Truman, Doris Day, Red China, Johnnie Ray, South Pacific, Walter Winchell, Jimmy Rollins.”
- Kyle Garis
Share your opinions on Jimmy Rollins and his attempt to break the hitting streak record
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Posted on March 5, 2006 by Kyle Garis | Filed Under Philadelphia, Phillies
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I’m giving Jimmy Rollins the benefit of the doubt and some magical pixie bat juice. Here’s hoping that he comes out on fire!
I hope he does it, but I can’t see it happening. Also the fact that even if Jimmy did it, he would have done it through 2 seasons doesnt make it the same. Jimmy theoretically should be coming into this season fresh. There is something to be said about hitting in 56 straight games without a break. I dont think Jimmy having 6 months between his 36th hit and 37th would be quite as good of an accomplishment.
Brian, I agree. The break does seem to put a damper on things. However, the stats books are the stat books, and I think I can get excited about one of my players coming close to officially breaking a major leage record.
Jimmy has it harder then DImaggio actually. Play baseball for 3 months then take 6 months off and try to hit like u did towards the end of that 3rd month, its veyr very difficult.