Jimmy Rollins

Baseball

Phillies all-star shortstop

James Rollins II was born in Alameda, CA to parents “Big Jim” and GiGi Rollins. The oldest of three children, Jimmy comes from a very athletic and talented family. “Big Jim” was a professional weightlifter while “Mama G” was an exceptional softball player who played with the competitiveness and fire that was handed down to her children. Affectionately known as “J-Roll,” Jimmy’s road to the big leagues began when the Philadelphia Phillies selected him in the second round of the 1996 amateur draft. A young dynamo and legitimate five-tool player, Jimmy accelerated through the Phillies farm system as a switch-hitting shortstop and in 2000, made his Major League debut as a September call-up. The following season, Jimmy made his first of three All Star appearances and lead the National League with 46 stolen bases and 12 triples. He also received MVP votes for the first time and finished third in the National League Rookie of the Year race. Throughout his first couple of years in the big leagues, Jimmy leaned on veterans, Marlon Anderson, Scott Rolen and Doug Glanville on learning the game at the highest level. Teachers, they were and a prized pupil he was. He listened, asked questions and he learned how to be a big leaguer. Jimmy became one of the greatest all-around shortstops in the game, winning four Gold Glove Awards, a Silver slugger and the 2007 National League MVP. Often outspoken and fearless, Jimmy would become the leader of the Phillies during one of the greatest runs in franchise history. Five straight division titles and back-to-back World Series appearances in 2008 and 2009. But, despite all that success, nothing grabbed more attention than Jimmy claiming the Phillies were the “team to beat” back in 2007. Not only did he lead the Phillies to their first division title in 14 years, but Jimmy also became the first player in National League history to have 20 or more doubles, triples, home runs and stolen bases in a single season – one of many reasons that lead to winning the league’s MVP award. Jimmy Rollins hit, and he did it more than anyone else in Philadelphia Phillies history. With 2,306 career hits in a Phillies uniform, Jimmy surpassed both Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame inductee and Baseball Hall of Famer, Phillies legend Mike Schmidt with 2,234. Among his other accomplishments is that he is the only shortstop (ever) in the 200-homer, 400-stolen base club. He had nine seasons with at least 50 extra-base hits and 30 steals, more seasons that fit that description than any shortstop who ever played. Rollins, Derick Jeter, and Cal Ripken are the only shortstops ever with at least 200 homers and 2,400 hits. Former Phillies manager and Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame inductee Charlie Manuel described Rollins this way., "Jimmy Rollins was a 5 foot 8, five-tool player. I mean, he could win the game for you in any way that you can imagine ... I don’t see how we could replace him on our team at shortstop and actually have the success that we had, just because of who he was. He happened to come along at the right time and be on the right team and things like that. And his personality, his talent, and the fact that he was a big moment player. In a big moment in the game. you want him up there.” After 14 seasons in Philadelphia, Jimmy was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2015 season. After playing the 2016 season with the Chicago White Sox Jimmy was signed by his Bay Area, San Francisco Giants but retired before the 2017 season. Jimmy’s on-field accomplishments do not tell the full story. During his time in Philadelphia, the Rollins Family Foundation was created to help local children in need. The organization specialized on the Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation, Prevent Child Abuse PA, The Food Trust SHARE Food Program and St. Christopher’s Foundation for Children—Farm to Families initiative. There have been several fundraisers in Philadelphia to benefit these organizations. Jimmy also participated in MLB initiatives, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the RBI Program, to name a few. In recognition of his work in the community, Jimmy received the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award from Major League Baseball in 2014. Since his retirement, Jimmy has been a mainstay on TBS for its baseball coverage as an Emmy-nominated analyst. He is also the Special Assistant to Phillies President of Baseball Operations, David Dombrowski. Jimmy has three beautiful daughters and resides in Los Angeles, CA.