It feels like a long time since the Philadelphia Phillies were on top of the baseball world after winning the World Series in 2008. Now, 17 years later, with the current team in the middle of a contending window, that 2008 squad is getting more recognition. One of the key players from that era of winning Phillies baseball is heading into Philadelphia immortality.
The team announced on Thursday that Phillies legendary shortstop Jimmy Rollins will be inducted into the Wall of Fame this summer in a ceremony on Aug. 1. It's a decision that Phillies fans will see as an inevitable no-brainer after what Rollins did for the franchise. Rollins will be the second player from the 2008 World Series team to go into the Wall of Fame after Pat Burrell was inducted in 2015.
3x All-Star
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 13, 2025
4x Gold Glove Award Winner
Silver Slugger
NL MVP
World Series Champion
On August 1, Jimmy Rollins will be inducted into the Toyota Phillies Wall of Fame! pic.twitter.com/LLF22boFwQ
Legendary shortstop Jimmy Rollins to be inducted into Phillies' Wall of Fame this summer
Rollins began his 17-year MLB career with a 14-game debut in 2000. He was an All-Star the next season, gaining NL MVP and Rookie of the Year votes, finishing third in voting among first-year standouts. He played for the Phillies through 2014 before spending a season each with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox.
The second-round draft pick won the NL MVP in 2007 when he accumulated 6.1 bWAR while playing all 163 games. He was named to three All-Star teams and won four Gold Glove Awards, a Silver Slugger and the Roberto Clemente Award. There's no other way to say it other than Rollins was integral to the team's success in the 2000s.
As for his totals, Rollins finished his career with a .264 batting average and .743 OPS, with 2,455 hits, 231 homers, 936 RBI, 1,142 runs scored and 470 stolen bases in 2,275 games. In his 15 years in Philadelphia, he hit .267 with a .751 OPS, 2,306 hits, 1,325 runs, 216 home runs, 887 RBI and 453 stolen bases. He's the Phillies' all-time leader in hits and doubles (479), is second in games played (2,090) and stolen bases and third in runs and triples (111).
“A dynamic leadoff hitter who impacted the game with his glove, bat and speed for 15 seasons with the Phillies, Jimmy was the spark plug for five consecutive National League East titles, back-to-back National League pennants and a World Series championship from 2007 to 2011,” said Phillies managing partner John Middleton, per MLB.com. “He is one of the most legendary players to wear pinstripes, and we are thrilled to celebrate No. 11 on August 1, as J-Roll officially takes his permanent place in club history, becoming the 49th inductee of our prestigious Toyota Phillies Wall of Fame.”
Rollins is currently on the Hall of Fame ball ballot. After receiving 18 percent of the votes in his fourth year this past winter, he still has a big hill to climb to the required 75 percent to be inducted into Cooperstown. So, for now, Phillies fans can celebrate him at Citizens Bank Park.
In addition to Rollins' induction, the Phillies also announced that Ed Wade, the club vice president and general manager from 1998 until 2005, will also be inducted into the Executive Wall of Fame.