Phillies Legends Rollins and Howard Urge Fans Not to Panic Over Early Struggles

The veteran players downplay concerns as the team gets off to a middling start.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:49pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game, with overlapping planes of color and shape representing the action on the field in an abstract, fragmented style.Former Phillies stars urge fans to stay patient as the team works through early-season struggles.Philadelphia Today

Former Philadelphia Phillies stars Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard are telling fans not to worry too much about the team's early-season struggles. Despite the Phillies going 6-6 to start the year, the veteran players say there's no need to hit the panic button, emphasizing that it's a long season and the team has the experience to turn things around.

Why it matters

The Phillies have high expectations this season after making the playoffs last year, so any early-season stumbles have raised concerns among the fanbase. Rollins and Howard, who were part of the Phillies' championship teams in the 2000s, are trying to provide reassurance and perspective to the fans.

The details

On the 611 podcast, Rollins pointed to positive signs for the Phillies, like the impending return of pitcher Zack Wheeler and the strong outings from pitcher Christopher Sanchez. He said the team, filled with veteran players, knows how to weather early-season storms. Howard echoed that sentiment, saying veteran teams don't panic this early in the season and that the Phillies will get their game going as the 'marathon' of the season continues.

  • The Phillies are 6-6 to start the 2026 MLB season.

The players

Jimmy Rollins

A former shortstop and fan favorite who was part of the Phillies' championship teams in the 2000s.

Ryan Howard

A former first baseman and MVP who was also a key member of the Phillies' championship teams in the 2000s.

Zack Wheeler

The Phillies' star pitcher who is expected to return from injury soon.

Christopher Sanchez

A Phillies pitcher who has been putting up strong outings to start the season.

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What they’re saying

“'They had questions about Wheeler, when he's going to come back? I think the timetable is looking good for him. Sanchy [Sanchez] is Sanchy, the other guys are throwing the ball. Had a debut of Painter. I mean, it's a lot of positive things to be looking at. There's no panic button. They've been here. That's a team full of veteran players. Ryan, just like us, we're a team full of veteran players, and as long as we kept the ship going down the road in the right direction, we knew we were going to be fine.'”

— Jimmy Rollins, Former Phillies Shortstop

“'As a veteran squad in years past, they don't have any level of panic. You don't ever see this team panic. They're going to get their game going. And as we were always told, right? It's a marathon, not a sprint. So this is the first part of the marathon, and I'd rather go under .500 in April and finish where I want to finish in September, going and playing, being able to play in October.'”

— Ryan Howard, Former Phillies First Baseman

What’s next

The Phillies will look to turn things around as they start a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday.

The takeaway

Rollins and Howard's comments provide much-needed perspective for Phillies fans, reminding them that a slow start doesn't necessarily doom a team's season. Their experience and wisdom should help ease concerns as the Phillies work to find their footing and make another playoff push.