That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies Franchise History: Greatest Player to Wear Each Number

By George Stockburger

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 09: Former Philadelphia Phillies greats, Jim Bunning, Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt were among many on hand to honor former manager Charlie Manuel who was to be inducted to the Phillies Wall of Fame during a ceremony before the start of a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 9, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 09: Former Philadelphia Phillies greats, Jim Bunning, Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt were among many on hand to honor former manager Charlie Manuel who was to be inducted to the Phillies Wall of Fame during a ceremony before the start of a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 9, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JULY 19: Jimmy Rollins #11 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a seventh inning two run home run against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on July 19, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JULY 19: Jimmy Rollins #11 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a seventh inning two run home run against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on July 19, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

6. . . . Jimmy Rollins. 11. team

It doesn’t get much better than the Phillies all-time hits leader for the greatest player to ever wear number 11. Jimmy Rollins may go down as the last player in club history to wear the number, but that’s a debate for another day.

Rollins joined the Phillies in 1996 as a second-round pick out of high school and quickly rose to the major leagues. After making his debut in 2000 Rollins burst onto the scene under Larry Bowa in 2001, finishing third in Rookie of the Year and 17th in the MVP race.

As a rookie Rollins led baseball with 656 at-bats, 12 triples, and 46 stolen bases. He’d lead baseball in triples four times in his career and won the MVP award in 2007 after declaring Philadelphia “the team to beat.”

The rest is history as the Phillies went from having a catchy slogan to winning five consecutive National League East crowns. Rollins led the way in 2008 with a career-high 47 stolen bases while adding 154 hits.

Rollins would play over 2,000 games in Philadelphia, winning four Gold Gloves, and MVP, three All-Star appearances, and a championship.

A borderline Hall of Fame player, Rollins goes down as the greatest shortstop and one of the best hitters in Phillies history.

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