The Stros seem to be steadying a bit after a horrendous 1-5 start, but if you think the hometown team’s start has been bad, get a load of what happened on Monday to Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins.
Over this past off-season, Rollins provided New York and Philadelphia sports columnists a season full of material by declaring that the Phillies — who finished a mere 12 games behind the Mets last season in the NL East — were the team to beat this season in the division.
The two teams met on Monday for the Mets’ home owner, during which Rollins proceeded to hit into a double play with the bases loaded, booted a potential double-play grounder with the bases loaded, and wound up with 56,000 Met fans mockingly chanting his name. The Mets came from behind to pound the Phillies, 11-5 and are off to a 5-2 start. The Phils are 1-6. Philly sports columnist Bob Ford puts it all in perspective:

“If you haven’t really arrived until they notice you in New York, then Jimmy Rollins made his official major-league debut yesterday. ‘Jim-my Roll-ins, Jim-my Roll-ins,’ came the mocking singsong from the stands at Shea Stadium. The fans added a verb occasionally, just for effect, but it wasn’t all that necessary. Fifty thousand people chanting your name is testament enough.”