Make that most of the rounds. The campaign managers for the candidates may be striking out on winning influential supporters in the Philadelphia sports world.

Take Jimmy Rollins, for example. Six weeks ago the Phillies shortstop talked to MLB.com about his interest in the Democratic presidential race.

At the time, he said he’d “probably” support Obama, whom he called, “a breath of fresh air.”

Despite his comments — and his high profile as the personable, defending National League MVP — Rollins never was contacted to help campaign for Obama.

“No, not at all,” Rollins said. “It would have been nice to, huh?”

Even if he had the chance to help, the 29-year-old leadoff hitter isn’t so sure it would make a difference.

“I don’t have an influence in that world,” said Rollins, who has been out of the starting lineup since April 8 with a left ankle sprain. “They don’t look to athletes for that. Now, if I was a celebrity — for example, a TV star — OK, because you’re known around the world. Athletes are generally known in their area, but no one is going to listen to athletes when it comes to politics.”

Perhaps that’s because a select group of athletes have gone there. There are some ex-athletes in politics — Jim Bunning, Jack Kemp, Steve Largent and Lynn Swann come to mind, with varying degrees of success. And Charles Barkley continues to threaten to belly-flop into the political pool. However, finding a high-profile, present-day athlete endorsing a candidate isn’t easy.

Michael Jordan, the most visible athlete in the world in the last quarter-century, famously said, “Republicans buy sneakers, too,” when asked about taking a political stand.

Rollins has genuine interest in politics and doesn’t mind sharing his views. He’d even give thought to working for two causes should Obama win — fueling the Phillies’ pennant race and lending support in the months leading up to November’s general election.

“It’s definitely something I’d consider,” Rollins said. “I think it’d be pretty cool. That’s every American’s right, to vote. To have the freedom of speech to say, ‘This is who I want.’

“Unfortunately, a lot of Americans don’t remember that part. But you take away their guns, and they remember that. They have a right to have a gun. Well, you have a right to freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of the press. All that stuff has been fought (for). You can’t persecute people for doing what’s their birthright.”

Although he hasn’t had as much time to keep up since spring training ended, Rollins still tries to find time to actively follow the process.

“He’s closing the gap,” Rollins said of Obama. “I think in the last poll I saw there was a 46-40 lead (for) Hillary, so he’s already made up half the deficit he had coming in. That’s good. Of course, after that it’s the delegates that really count.”

Since he was at the ballpark, Rollins couldn’t attend Thursday’s debate.

“I’ll get all the highlights,” the shortstop said.

Perhaps the next time Rollins expresses his political opinions, he’ll do so with more than a lone reporter holding a tape recorder.

As everyone learned from last year’s pennant race, when Jimmy speaks, people listen. No matter how minimal the impact might be, Rollins can have an influence.

His willingness to do so is a breath of fresh air.

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Trivial pursuit: Major League Baseball does the right thing every year by recognizing Jackie Robinson’s legacy April 15, the day he made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. To commemorate Robinson, all Major League teams retired his No. 42 in 1997.

The question: Who was the last Phillie to wear No. 42 prior to last year’s inaugural commemoration?

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To everyone complaining about Cole Hamels’ unhappy response to getting his contract renewed six weeks ago, consider the case of Tampa Bay rookie Evan Longoria.

Longoria, the third overall pick of the 2006 amateur draft, made his major-league debut eight days ago. Friday, the Rays announced they had come to terms on a six-year, $17.5-million deal that could pay the third baseman $44.5 million over nine years.

When the deal was announced, Longoria had six days of major-league service. He’ll earn $500,000 this year, $550,000 in 2009.

Hamels, who will reach two years of major-league service time next month, had his contract renewed for $500,000 for the 2008 season.

While Longoria would appear to be well set given his service time, the long-term implications of his contract isn’t the best of news in the eyes of the players’ union. If Longoria becomes a Ryan Howard-like All-Star — and his talents are pretty highly regarded — he’ll be underpaid in a few short years.

Howard will earn $10 million this season, his fourth in the majors. At the same stage of his career, Longoria would earn a modest $2 million.

Longoria’s deal won’t hit Howard’s 2008 level until 2015, when he would make $11 million in the eighth year of the contract — and only if the extension is activated.

While his record deal gives him financial security for the long haul, Longoria’s pact also bought out his arbitration years. That means unlike Howard, he won’t be able to use performance as a leverage to make more money.

“I could go out and play a couple years and wait for arbitration, maybe make the $6 or $7 (million) a year, whatever it may be, but at the same time I’m not starved for money or anything,” Longoria said. “Just to have that security factor in the back of your mind and be able to go out and play the game is what I wanted. That’s exactly why I did this deal.”

*

Maybe avoiding Joe Borowski turned out to be a good move by the Phillies after all.

In the winter before the 2007 season, the Phillies nearly came to an agreement with the veteran reliever. However, they were scared off by his physical.

Borowski signed a one-year, $4.25 million deal with a $4 million option for 2008 with the Cleveland Indians. Last season he led the American League with 45 saves.

That said, Borowski was shaky at times last year and finished with a 5.07 ERA. Last week the right-hander landed on the disabled list with a strained triceps after allowing three runs in the ninth inning of a 6-4 loss to the Red Sox.

“I just felt like I had nothing, like I was throwing through water,” said the injured closer, whose fastball has been clocked in the low-80 mph range this year.

*

Former Phillies file: Heading into Saturday’s game, four former Phillies rank in the top 10 in baseball in ERA.

Two are a pair of Padres: Justin Germano (1.35) and Randy Wolf (1.42). Another is Kyle Lohse (1.48), who signed late in spring training with St. Louis.

The fourth name may prove to be the most devastating to the Phillies if this is the beginning of the young right-hander living up to his potential.

Chicago White Sox right-hander Gavin Floyd, the fourth overall pick by the Phillies in 2001, is 2-0 with a 1.40 ERA after three starts.

Floyd took a no-hitter into the eighth inning eight days ago against the Detroit Tigers. The 25-year-old followed that outing by allowing two unearned runs in six innings Thursday in Baltimore.

“For two years I felt like I was pitching in somebody else’s body,” Floyd said after the no-hit bid. “And just kind of now, I feel comfortable.”

Floyd, sent with pitching prospect Gio Gonzalez to Chicago for Freddy Garcia two winters ago, was 4-3 with a 7.29 ERA in 11 starts with the Philies in 2006.

If Chicago’s rotation holds, Floyd’s next start before a national audience Wednesday against the Yankees.

*

Trivial answer: This week’s trivia is something of a trick question. The last Phillie to wear No. 42 was reliever Mike Jackson, although he never pitched with the team in his second go-round in Philadelphia.

Jackson signed as a free agent in December, 1999. However, he missed all of 2000 with an injury.

The last person to wear No. 42 while actually performing a duty on the field was Galen Cisco, who served as the Phillies’ pitching coach from 1997-2000.

Reach Ryan Lawrence at ryanlawrence21@gmail.com, or visit his Phillies blog at: http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/ryanl/blog.html