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Phillies Shortstop Earns Wall of Fame Spot

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sam Bernardi | Last updated Mar 14, 2025 2:30 PM ET

Jimmy Rollins is joining the Philadelphia Phillies Wall of Fame. The franchise’s all-time hits leader (2,306) will be inducted on August 1, 2025, according to MLB.com.

As close to a lock as possible (excluding maybe Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton) for the honor, Rollins spent the first 15 of his 17-year career in Philadelphia, where he racked up a laundry list of accomplishments.

From 2000-2014, “J-Roll” was consistently among the game’s top shortstops. His 162-game average for that span was 17 home runs, 69 RBIs, 103 runs scored, a .267 batting average, and a .751 OPS. Those are impressive numbers, but his dynamic leadoff abilities set him apart.

Rollins was invaluable as a runner, notching 453 steals for the Phillies and getting caught stealing just 95 times. He also excelled defensively at one of the game’s premier positions for the better part of a decade.

A three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, Silver Slugger recipient, and the 2007 NL MVP Award winner, Rollins enjoyed a magical year. That season, he played in all 162 games, posting career-highs in nearly every major statistical category.

He also won the Roberto Clemente Humanitarian Award in 2014, perhaps his greatest accomplishment of all.

The club won five consecutive NL East titles from 2007 to 2011, a pennant in 2009, and, of course, that unforgettable 2008 World Series triumph. It marked the franchise’s first and only championship since 1980.

While his number is not yet retired, he has a good chance of joining that exclusive club. The current members are Richie Ashburn (No. 1), Jim Bunning (No. 14), Dick Allen (No. 15), Mike Schmidt (No. 20), Steve Carlton (No. 32), Roy Halladay (No. 34), and Robin Roberts (No. 36).

These are the elite of the elite, and Rollins belongs in that discussion. Rollins’ No. 11 has not been worn since he left the team in 2014, and it should never be worn again.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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