Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies great says Hall of Famer and former Ryne Sandberg respected him
Jimmy Rollins spent part of 17 years in the majors and 15 of them in the Philadelphia Phillies uniforms. While with the Phillies, he was a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove, and NL MVP winner in 2007.
Now that he’s retired, Rollins is a part of the media, working as an analyst for TBS on its MLB coverage. He also has a podcast with Audacy where he co-hosts fellow TBS MLB analyst and former MLB player Ron Darling named Unwritten: Behind Baseball’s Secret Rules.
On their last episode in which retired Albert Pujols was their guest, Rollins revealed that his former manager, Ryan Sandberg, had no respect for him. Sandberg was a Hall of Fame player who spent nearly his entire career with the Chicago Cubs.
Phillies: Jimmy Rollins says Cubs legend, ex-manager Ryan Sandberg was disrespectful
Jimmy Rollins said Ryne Sandberg was disrespectful to him during spring training with the Phillies in 2014.
During March 2014, Rollins infuriated his manager by saying he did not care about the results of his spring training. As a result, he was put on the bench for three games in a row…but he didn’t hear that Ryne Sandberg didn’t specifically talk to Rollins about his issue with him.
“Given the full explanation, from there to being on the bench in spring training an interview” because I said “I don’t care about the results of the spring training,” Rollins said, “and that’s the truth.” “Who cares about the results of the spring training?” Did not matter. When he comes closer in the fourth inning, this isn’t real baseball.
“From the point of saying I don’t care about spring training even not getting a call from the manager, getting a call from the club guys like ‘Hey, they said you don’t have to come today’. Well, that’s weird. Tomorrow, which was the next day, it’s going to happen again.” Am I really impressed? I’m here, admin, about to break the record set by Mike Schmidt (as Phillie). Just a lack of respect given, like wow.”
As Rollins explained, the first two games were road games, so he “wasn’t too bothered by that” because, as a veteran, players get the chance to choose the days they travel on anyway. But he got questions at the club from others.
So I walked into the club and it was like, ‘Why didn’t you play? “My answer: Go and ask the manager,” said Rollins. “Don’t ask me. I got a call from the club guy. Don’t ask me why I’m not playing. Then you’re called to the office and told why and being ‘I hope you’ve learned your lesson’, I’m no lesson, period.” I don’t know what you’re talking about. Whatever you’re trying to do, it just didn’t work.”
2014 ended as Rollins’ last season with the last full season for Phillies and Sandburg as manager. Velez went 73-89 in 2014 and after a 26-48 start in 2015, Sandberg was fired and replaced by Pete Mackanin on a temporary basis. The club hired McCannen as its full-time manager at the end of the season.
Sandberg never coached or coached again. If the story is true, it’s easy to see why Sandberg couldn’t train or train again. A lack of communication is a huge problem for many professions, but as an MLB manager, this can be the most important tool for success and respect from your players.
You can check out the entire podcast below or you can check it out over here. Rollins talks about Sandberg at 22:50.
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