After not getting a hit in four at-bats in Game One of the National League Championship Series (NLCS), Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins came to bat in the bottom of the seventh inning in Game Two with the bases loaded.
The 2007 National League Most Valuable Player struggled with injuries this year and only hit .243 in 88 games - the worst of his career. But Jimmy is still a dangerous professional, especially when he feels slighted.
Down 3-1, with base runners on second and third, San Fransisco manager Bruce Bochy decided to intentionally walk Phillies right fielder Jayson Werth to load the bases.
Now in some scenarios, if the Giants were trying to set up a double play, I would agree with the move. But the Giants already had recorded two outs, so they were more concerned with Jayson Werth than Jimmy Rollins.
Werth hit .296 with 27 home runs in the 2010 season, but is only hitting .222 in the postseason.
Jimmy Rollins hit .297 right handed this year versus .218 left handed. At the time, Giants left handed reliever Jeremy Affelt was on the mound and Bochy wanted Rollins to hit left handed.
Rollins hit a three run double that turned a 3-1 lead into a 6-1 advantage that basically put the game out of reach.
In athletics, and life, you have to take advantage of anything you can. Whenever you feel slighted, turn that into to motivation. People told me since I was 11 years old that I wasn't very good. And I turned it into a professional career.
Jimmy Rollins turned it into a Game Two victory.
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