Update: MVP! MVP!
-----------------
On August 23, 2005, Jimmy Rollins career took on quite a transformation, almost as if someone had flipped a switch. The double he recorded in the ninth inning of that game against the Giants' Brian Cooper was the start of a 38-game hit streak that would carry into the following season.
Since the hit streak started, Rollins has played in 356 games and it is quite interesting to compare his performance in those games to his performance in the 356 games leading up to the streak (June 28, 2003 to August 22, 2005):
AVG OBP SLG R HR RBI SB% Before .273 .329 .415 237 27 133 78
After .296 .350 .515 301 58 199 89
Except for the confidence and infectious smile, it's almost like a different player. The light went on over two years ago and it has burned brightly ever since. His plate discipline improved, his power increased, and he became even more savvy on the base paths and efficient in the field.
In a little over half an hour, we will find out if Rollins is the recipient of the 2007 National League Most Valuable Player Award. Stay tuned.
-----------------
[photo by getty images/phillies.com; statistics provided by the day by day database]
