We're familiar with the Curse of the Bambino, and that of the billy goat. The SI cover jinx has been examined in great detail, and word is Vince Young will tempt fate -- and the Madden Curse -- in the upcoming NFL season.
Do we need to add a Jimmy Rollins jinx to this list? 'Cause, since Rollins announced, "I think we are the team to beat in the NL East -- finally," back on January 23, very little has gone right for the Phillies.
As I write this post, the Phillies are 3-10 on the season -- worst record in the majors, a full game behind a Nationals team that many pundits predicted might challenge baseball's all-time records for futility. And while Rollins (.305, 6 HR, 11 RBI) has played well... he's one of very few Phils who can make that claim.
- Defending MVP Ryan Howard has been struggling badly, and now may miss time with a knee injury.
- Starter Brett Myers and his 9.39 ERA have been banished to the bullpen.
- Veteran starter Jon Lieber, the guy everyone thought would be moved for bullpen help now re-joins the rotation.
- And manager Charlie Manuel has taken to making veiled threats at radio talk-show hosts.
Good times for all involved.
A slow start isn't always disastrous... but a start this slow, in a division with a powerhouse favorite in the Mets and young, promising squads in Atlanta and Florida... yikes. One has to wonder if Philly management is already thinking about Manuel's successor as SI's John Heyman suggests.
Originally published at About Baseball
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