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J-Roll Fields NL MVP

Diminutive shortstop backed up swagger with hot hitting, Gold Glove defense

By Jesse Andrews,  Newser User

Posted Nov 20, 2007 10:22 PM CST

(Newser) – Jimmy Rollins, who helped fulfill his bold prediction of a playoff appearance for the long-suffering Phillies, squeaked by Colorado's Matt Holliday for the National League MVP award, reports MLB.com. At 353 voting points, his 17-point margin over the brawny Rockies slugger was the slimmest in 16 years.

Rollins yielded a scant 11 errors all season at shortstop, enough for the Gold Glove, and as the team's leadoff hitter batted .296 with 30 HRs, 20 triples, 94 RBIs, and 41 stolen bases in a league-record 716 at-bats. Said manager Charlie Manuel of his shortstop, "Once he popped up, he put his intensity where his mouth was. He likes the stage. Jimmy has what I'd call a good cockiness."

A Jimmy Rollins fan holds up a sign during the Philadelphia Phillies' baseball game with the Washington Nationals in Philadelphia, in this Sept. 30, 2007 file photo. The Phillies won 6-1, taking the NL East title. Rollins was voted the NL Most Valuable Player Tuesday Nov. 20, 2007. (AP Photo/Tom...
A Jimmy Rollins fan holds up a sign during the Philadelphia Phillies' baseball game with the Washington Nationals in Philadelphia, in this Sept. 30, 2007 file photo. The Phillies won 6-1, taking the NL...   (Associated Press)
Philadelphia Phillies' Jimmy Rollins. left, leaves with his agent Josh Goldberg after a television interview Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007 in Los Angeles. Rollins won the National League MVP award Tuesday, edging Matt Holliday in a close race after propelling the Phillies to their first playoff berth in 14 years. (AP...
Philadelphia Phillies' Jimmy Rollins. left, leaves with his agent Josh Goldberg after a television interview Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007 in Los Angeles. Rollins won the National League MVP award Tuesday, edging...   (Associated Press)
Philadelphia Phillies' Jimmy Rollins reacts during a television interview Tuesday Nov. 20, 2007 in Los Angeles. Rollins won the National League MVP award Tuesday, edging Matt Holliday in a close race after propelling the Phillies to their first playoff berth in 14 years. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
Philadelphia Phillies' Jimmy Rollins reacts during a television interview Tuesday Nov. 20, 2007 in Los Angeles. Rollins won the National League MVP award Tuesday, edging Matt Holliday in a close race...   (Associated Press)
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins slides safely into third base with a triple in the second inning of Game 2 of a National League Division Series playoff baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in this Oct. 4, 2007 file photo in Philadelphia. Rollins was named the NL's Most Valuable Player...
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins slides safely into third base with a triple in the second inning of Game 2 of a National League Division Series playoff baseball game against the Colorado...   (Associated Press)
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