As Jimmy Rollins joins Phillies' Wall of Fame, relive his top moments in Philadelphia

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4 days ago

As Jimmy Rollins went, so did the Philadelphia Phillies.
The shortstop, who spent most of his career in Philly, will be honored on Aug. 1 when his plaque will be added to the Phillies' Wall of Fame at Citizens Bank Park. Joining him will be former Phillies vice president and general manager Ed Wade.
During his tenure with the Phils, Rollins was the leadoff hitter and middle infield anchor of the 2008 and 2009 World Series teams who set the table for sluggers Ryan Howard and Chase Utley.
Before the team's rise into perennial playoff contention, it was Rollins who made the bold claim that the Phillies were the team to beat before helping the franchise to its first National League East division title in over a decade during his 2007 MVP season.
His slick fielding, stellar base running and cltuch hitting were the stables for the Phillies during one of the best stretches in franchise history, which saw the team reach the postseason five straight seasons.
As Rollins enters the wall of fame, here's a look back at his best moments as a Phil:
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5. First inside-the-park home run at Citizens Bank Park
It was June 20, 2004, and Citizens Bank Park was still new. The stadium had yet to host a playoff series and fans were still getting used to the new digs after watching the Phils at Veterans Stadium for the last 30 years.
There were many firsts that were yet to be had and Rollins was sure to put his name on one of them.
With two on against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Rollins drove a ball deep into left-center field. After the center fielder missed the ball and slammed into the wall, Rollins showed off his speed by scoring standing up.
It was one of four career inside-the-park home runs for Rollins.
4. Rollins, Utley, Howard turn double play to clinch 2009 NL East title
The Phillies were coming off the franchise's first World Series title since 1980 and the team was looking to prove the previous season wasn't a hoax.
With closer Brad Lidge on the mound against the Washington Nationals, Rollins teamed up with Utley and Howard to sure the team's third straight NL East title in style.
With Lidge and the Phils clinging to a 4-3 lead, the Nationals loaded the bases before Nats third baseman Ryan Zimmerman hit a groundball up the middle.
Rollins dove to his left and quickly relayed to Utley, who turned and threw to Howard at first to complete the double play and secure the victory.
3. Jimmy Rollins: 'We are the team to beat in the NL East'
You can sure say one thing about Rollins, he wasn't bashful.
Before any of their playoff success happened, Rollins was confident in his abilities and his team's future.
With the Mets employing a stacked roster that include All-Stars David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, Carlos Delgado, Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine and Billy Wagner, almost every expert had New York pegged as the favorite in the NL East.
Almost everyone except Rollins, the small in statured shortstop who wasn't short of confidence.
During an interview in Clearwater, Florida, during Spring Training, Rollins made it clear who he thought was winning the East that year.
"I think we are the team to beat in the NL East — finally," Rollins said during the Jan. 23, 2007 interview with the Associated Press.
It was a bold statement since the last time the Phils reached the postseason was in 1993, when a bunch of veterans led by Darren Daulton and Lenny Dykstra nearly knocked off the defending-champion Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series.
But the quote galvanized the Phillies, helping them overcome a 10-game deficit in the division late in the season to oust the Mets from postseason contention.
2. Jimmy Rollins goes 20, 20, 20, 20
Rollins wasn't all talk though, he backed it up on the field.
After Howard in 2006 became the first Phil since Mike Schmidt to win MVP, Rollins followed with a season for the record books.
Setting the table for the big bats behind him, Rollins reached base anyway he could.
In only the fourth time in MLB history, Rollins finished the season by recording at least 20 homers, 20 triples, 20 doubles and 20 stolen bases in the same season. He joined Willie Mays, Frank "Wildfire" Schulte and Curtis Granderson in the club.
In total, No. 11 he 30 home runs, 20 triples and 38 doubles while stealing 41 bases. He also scored 139 runs and record a total of 212 hits.
His most memorable hit was his last triple, which sealed the rare feat before the Phils clinched the division at home on Sept. 30.
1. Jimmy Rollins hits game-winner vs. Dodgers in 2009 NLCS
If the Phillies wanted to get back to the World Series to defend their championship in 2009, they once again had to go through the Los Angeles Dodgers.
After knocking out the Dodgers in the 2008 National League Championship Series on their way to beating the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series, in came another opportunity to seek revenge against a team that haunted the Phillies in the postseason back in the late '70s.
Down 4-3 with two on in the bottom of the ninth of Game 4 of the NLCS, who better to come to the plate than Rollins?
With Dodgers ace closer Jonathan Broxton on the mound and the crowd at CBP amped, Rollins took a 1-1 fastball and drove into the right-center field gap.
Utilityman Eric Bruntlett and catcher Carlos Ruiz scored without a throw, securing the win and all but ending the series. The Phillies won Game 5 by a score of 10-4, clinching the pennant.
Jimmy Rollins stats
Rollins, who played with the Phillies from 2000 to 2014, was named to three NL All-Star teams and won four Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger award while in Philadelphia.
After being drafted by Philadephia in the second round of the 1996 draft, he formed one of the best double-play tandems with keystone Chase Utley. Rollins finished his 17-year career with 2,455 hits, 231 home runs and 470 steals. He holds the Phillies' all-time hit record with 2,306, surpassing Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt.
Across two season in 2005 and 2006, Rollins hit safely in 38 consecutive games, setting a Phillies record.
It's the eighth-longest hit streak in MLB history, behind only Joe DiMaggio, Willie Keeler, Pete Rose, Bill Dahlen ,George Sisler, Ty Cobb and Paul Molitor. All are in the Baseball Hall of Fame except Bill Dahlen.
In his fourth year on the ballot, Rollins received 14.8% of votes for the baseball Hall of Fame. Players need 75% of the vote to earn enshrinement in Cooperstown.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Jimmy Rollins top Phillies moments as he joins Wall of Fame