Jimmy Rollins thinks his 2008 Phillies teammates deserves this honor

Jimmy Rollins says it’s time for the Philadelphia Phillies to retire these 2008 champions’ jersey numbers

In 139 years of Philadelphia Phillies teams, only two have ever brought the city a championship: 1980 and 2008.

Now, Jimmy Rollins, a core member of that 2008 championship squad, thinks the franchise should honor his team in perpetuity by having some jersey numbers retired.

Speaking to NBC Sports Philadelphia‘s John Clark this week, Rollins said that he thinks the Phillies should put several members of the second World Series team on their Wall of Fame:

“11, 26, 6, 51, 35, throw the Flyin’ Hawaiian in there, 8, you might wanna put them numbers on the Wall [of Fame] and let guys get their day, because what we were able to accomplish here was special. We knew we had a good team, I think we just needed that boost of confidence, and I came out and said it.”

He also called Phillies owner and managing partner John Middleton, “JMid,” which is just hilarious.

If you need a refresher on those uniform numbers, Rollins started out with his own #11. We love that confidence, and absolutely agree, put him on the Wall of Fame.

#26 is Chase Utley, #6 is Ryan Howard, #51 is Carlos ‘Chooch’ Ruiz, #35 is Cole Hamels, and Shane Victorino AKA the Flyin’ Hawaiian rounds out the crew wearing #8.

The 2008 Phils were in the middle of the Golden Era, when the club won the division every year from 2007-11. In 2009, as defending champions, they became back-to-back pennant-winners for the first time in franchise history, but were defeated by the New York Yankees in the World Series.

Another reason why it makes sense to start honoring 08 players with Wall of Fame induction? Their manager, Charlie Manuel, has been on the Wall since 2014.

Rollins is currently the only member of the 2008 squad in Baseball Hall of Fame contention. He received more than the minimum 5% required to return to the ballot next year.

But if he doesn’t get in, having his number on the Phillies Wall of Fame is a well-deserved honor and consolation prize.