Around the Horn: Middle infielders

02/01/2006
PHILADELPHIA -- Try these numbers on for size: a .290 average, 354 hits, 208 runs, 77 doubles, 17 triples, 40 homers, 159 RBIs, 57 stolen bases and 585 total bases.
If you guessed that was the production of Philadelphia's electric middle-infield combination of Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley last season, give yourself a point. Add an extra one if you further identified that as the most productive regular tandem in the National League, just ahead of Atlanta's Rafael Furcal and Marcus Giles, who bested the Phils duo only in stolen bases.
With the Braves pair splitting up for 2006 -- though Giles and Edgar Renteria in Atlanta and Jeff Kent and Furcal in Los Angeles will be formidable -- the Utley-Rollins tag team is primed to defend that distinction.
Rollins, the Phils' leadoff hitter and catalyst, enters the season with a club-record 36-game hitting streak. He's hit .379 during the streak, and fell just four hits shy of 200 last year. The switch-hitter achieved career highs in hits and at-bats (677) while stealing at least 30 bases for the fourth time in five seasons.
If he's able to break Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio's record of hitting in 56 straight games, he'll be recognized as the all-time leader, though DiMaggio would keep the single-season record -- unless Rollins managed a hit in 56 straight games this season.
"I've had fun with the record in that I don't want to place too much extra stress on myself about it," said Rollins. "I've been trying to relax while getting my workouts in during the offseason. I don't mind when people ask me about it. If I'm meant to break a record, then I will. I want to help this team win games in 2006."
The buzz surrounding his streak has carried throughout the offseason, on radio talk shows, newspapers and in the local grocery store. Rollins' streak is already the ninth-longest hitting streak in Major League history. Barring rainouts and games not started, Rollins could eclipse DiMaggio on April 26 at home against the Rockies.
Paul Molitor hit in 39 straight games in 1989, and Pete Rose holds the National League record with a 44-game streak in 1978. Wee Willie Keeler hit in 45 straight games, but one came on the final day of the previous season.
"If he passed Molitor and Rose and then challenged DiMaggio, I wouldn't be surprised," said manager Charlie Manuel. "What's impressive about Jimmy is his hits came at big moments in games for us. He's improved so much as a hitter last year with his patience at the plate. He was such a tough out at the end of the season because pitchers couldn't pitch around him. If they threw him away, he went with the pitch. If they came in, he pulled it down the line. He did a great job in being selective up there and going with pitches."
His partner in crime also came a long way last season, as Utley clubbed 28 homers. The fact that he hit one long ball each as a first baseman and pinch-hitter is the only thing keeping him from tying the Phillies' all-time record by a second baseman, set by Juan Samuel in 1987. Utley might have set the mark had he not lost playing time to Placido Polanco early in the season.
The lefty wasn't in the Opening Day lineup -- creating a minor controversy -- then batted seventh in the second game. By the end of the season, Utley was entrenched as the team's No. 3 hitter. Bobby Abreu will likely remain hitting cleanup, keeping Utley in the three-hole.
"Chase did an outstanding job for us last season," Manuel said. "He got a lot of big hits. He's a [heck of a] player. He wore down a bit at the end, but it was always exciting when he was up and we needed a hit."
With all the individual accomplishments and accolades received in 2005, there's no escaping the reality that Utley and Rollins watched the postseason. Especially disappointing was watching the Astros -- the team that beat them in six regular-season meetings -- reach the World Series.
"I want to go to the playoffs and help this team win a World Series," said Rollins. "Records are nice, but I want to win. If the records come along with it, that's cool with me. I want to experience the playoffs. That's why you play the game, to win a title. Hopefully, we can keep it going into some October baseball in the playoffs."

Source: http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/