Jimmy Rollins

Lore & Background

Rollins grew up in Alameda, California, and attended Encinal High School. He was drafted by the Phillies in the second round of the 1996 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut on September 17, 2000. Rollins quickly earned recognition as an excellent defensive shortstop. He became the Phillies' leadoff hitter, a role he retained for almost ten years. He made three All-Star Game appearances. While with the Phillies, he compiled a 38-game hitting streak, the longest in team history. He was named the National League Most Valuable Player in 2007, as the Phillies won their division in the first of five consecutive seasons. He was a key component of the 2008 World Series champion team. Internationally, he represented the United States at the 2009 World Baseball Classic, hitting .417 and being named to the All-World Baseball Classic Team. Rollins led the NL four times in triples, and once each in runs, stolen bases, and stolen base percentage. As of 2025, he is the Phillies career leader in at bats (8,628), hits (2,306), doubles (479), and power-speed number (292.5), second in games played (2,090) and stolen bases (453), and third in runs scored (1,325) and triples (111). He won the Gold Glove Award four times, as well as the Silver Slugger Award, and the Roberto Clemente Award (once each).

Reader's Guide

Rollins grew up in Alameda as a member of an athletic family. His mother played competitive fastpitch softball. His father was a wrestler and weightlifter. Rollins has been described as having 'a near-photographic memory of games and at-bats and pitches'. His brother Antwon played with minor league affiliates of the Texas Rangers. His sister Shay Rollins was a starter on the University of San Francisco's women's basketball team. He is the cousin of former MLB player Tony Tarasco. Rollins played the trumpet while growing up and participated in various MC Hammer and Mavis Staples music videos. He was an Oakland Athletics fan growing up. In 1996, he graduated from Encinal High School. His parents refused to let him continue playing football. He finished his high school baseball career as the holder of 10 school records, including highest batting average (.484) and most stolen bases (99). USA Today named him a member of its All-USA High School Baseball Team, and Baseball America named him the top infielder in Northern California, as well as a second-team All-American. He committed to play college baseball at Arizona State University but was drafted by the Phillies in the second round of the 1996 draft.

Did You Know?

• Rollins debuted on September 17, 2000, wearing #29 against the Florida Marlins and had two hits, with his first MLB hit being a triple.
• He led the NL in triples and stolen bases in his rookie season, becoming the first rookie to do so since 1951.
• Rollins won the Cool Papa Bell Award, the Paul Owens Award, and was named to the Topps Major League Rookie All-Star team.
• He participated in the Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series after the 2002 season.
• Rollins worked with Tony Gwynn on hitting skills prior to the 2003 season.