Baseball Guru
02-26-2002, 11:32 AM
By Associated Press
February 25, 2002, 6:09 PM EST
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, back in a Philadelphia uniform for the first time since retiring in 1989, followed his first day of work by sticking up for the team's latest star third baseman, Scott Rolen.
Schmidt, working as a special spring training hitting instructor, on Monday said he supports Rolen's much-debated decision to reject a $140 million contract extension.
Rolen recently said he plans to become a free agent after the 2002 season because he believes the organization isn't committed to winning.
"Scott is a very intelligent guy and he sees the Philadelphia town being one that won't afford him an opportunity over the long haul to ever fulfill his desires in terms of being a world championship team," said Schmidt, ninth on the all-time home run list with 548.
"I think Scott is taking a very noble stand to turn down that amount of money," Schmidt said. "I might sign that thing as fast as I could in case I got hit by a car. But if anybody ever got a chance to sit down with Scott Rolen for an hour, they'd love him. ... He's a man of principle. He's hardworking. He's honest."
Schmidt won 10 Gold Gloves while spending his entire career in Philadelphia from 1972 to 1989. Rolen, the organization's best third baseman since Schmidt, has won two in his first five full seasons.
Schmidt and Rolen are often compared because they played the same position. Schmidt, who has met Rolen several times, sees more similarities.
"He's a mirror of me," Schmidt said. "He's very intelligent, somewhat outspoken, totally dedicated to the game and wants to become the best he can to a fault. He likes everything around him to be perfect. That's his nature and it's my nature."
This personality has led to both players at times feeling the wrath of tough Phillies fans. Schmidt was booed often during his career, despite winning three National League MVPs and playing in 12 All-Star Games. Rolen, despite averaging 26 homers since 1997, has heard some boos, too.
Schmidt, 52, hopes Phillies fans find a way to respect the stand Rolen is taking against the organization.
"Philadelphia is vocal and sometimes it can get hard to take when you're giving everything on God's green earth to win for those people and they're reacting like you're letting them down," Schmidt said.
"It all lends itself to not having that perfect personality to playing in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is the kind of town where you've got to let everything roll off your back, where you've got to put up with this because you know you're going to get that. It's so good when it's good, yet can be a little rough when it's bad."
Schmidt walked away from his only professional ballclub on Memorial Day 1989 when he felt he could not play at the level he expected from himself.
Except for working one season as a part-time broadcaster, Schmidt often has distanced himself from the Phillies, other than participating in reunion events.
Since retiring, Schmidt never put on his retired No. 20 until Monday, when he began his 11-day job working for his former infield partner, Phillies manager Larry Bowa.
"I was invited, not in a promotional way, but in a serious coaching way, which meant something to me," Schmidt said. "Larry gave me some specific jobs and I want to work toward those. They involve spending some time with Pat Burrell, Travis Lee, Scott Rolen, Mike Lieberthal ... the meat of the batting order."
Schmidt blames his being away from the organization on having a busy schedule, especially with golf. He's been a regular for years on the celebrity golf tour and has been trying for three years to win a card on the Senior Tour.
"I was off doing other things, hot in pursuit of a career in golf, which I don't think is ever going to happen," Schmidt said.
No matter how much he enjoys his coaching stint this spring, Schmidt doesn't want this to be a springboard to a full-time job in baseball.
"I love the game and love coaching -- I know I could manage right now -- but there's no way I would get on airplanes and buses and stay in hotels again," he said.
February 25, 2002, 6:09 PM EST
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, back in a Philadelphia uniform for the first time since retiring in 1989, followed his first day of work by sticking up for the team's latest star third baseman, Scott Rolen.
Schmidt, working as a special spring training hitting instructor, on Monday said he supports Rolen's much-debated decision to reject a $140 million contract extension.
Rolen recently said he plans to become a free agent after the 2002 season because he believes the organization isn't committed to winning.
"Scott is a very intelligent guy and he sees the Philadelphia town being one that won't afford him an opportunity over the long haul to ever fulfill his desires in terms of being a world championship team," said Schmidt, ninth on the all-time home run list with 548.
"I think Scott is taking a very noble stand to turn down that amount of money," Schmidt said. "I might sign that thing as fast as I could in case I got hit by a car. But if anybody ever got a chance to sit down with Scott Rolen for an hour, they'd love him. ... He's a man of principle. He's hardworking. He's honest."
Schmidt won 10 Gold Gloves while spending his entire career in Philadelphia from 1972 to 1989. Rolen, the organization's best third baseman since Schmidt, has won two in his first five full seasons.
Schmidt and Rolen are often compared because they played the same position. Schmidt, who has met Rolen several times, sees more similarities.
"He's a mirror of me," Schmidt said. "He's very intelligent, somewhat outspoken, totally dedicated to the game and wants to become the best he can to a fault. He likes everything around him to be perfect. That's his nature and it's my nature."
This personality has led to both players at times feeling the wrath of tough Phillies fans. Schmidt was booed often during his career, despite winning three National League MVPs and playing in 12 All-Star Games. Rolen, despite averaging 26 homers since 1997, has heard some boos, too.
Schmidt, 52, hopes Phillies fans find a way to respect the stand Rolen is taking against the organization.
"Philadelphia is vocal and sometimes it can get hard to take when you're giving everything on God's green earth to win for those people and they're reacting like you're letting them down," Schmidt said.
"It all lends itself to not having that perfect personality to playing in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is the kind of town where you've got to let everything roll off your back, where you've got to put up with this because you know you're going to get that. It's so good when it's good, yet can be a little rough when it's bad."
Schmidt walked away from his only professional ballclub on Memorial Day 1989 when he felt he could not play at the level he expected from himself.
Except for working one season as a part-time broadcaster, Schmidt often has distanced himself from the Phillies, other than participating in reunion events.
Since retiring, Schmidt never put on his retired No. 20 until Monday, when he began his 11-day job working for his former infield partner, Phillies manager Larry Bowa.
"I was invited, not in a promotional way, but in a serious coaching way, which meant something to me," Schmidt said. "Larry gave me some specific jobs and I want to work toward those. They involve spending some time with Pat Burrell, Travis Lee, Scott Rolen, Mike Lieberthal ... the meat of the batting order."
Schmidt blames his being away from the organization on having a busy schedule, especially with golf. He's been a regular for years on the celebrity golf tour and has been trying for three years to win a card on the Senior Tour.
"I was off doing other things, hot in pursuit of a career in golf, which I don't think is ever going to happen," Schmidt said.
No matter how much he enjoys his coaching stint this spring, Schmidt doesn't want this to be a springboard to a full-time job in baseball.
"I love the game and love coaching -- I know I could manage right now -- but there's no way I would get on airplanes and buses and stay in hotels again," he said.