Jimmy Rollins has certainly accomplished quite a bit during his career with the Philadelphia Phillies and on Saturday surpassed one of the organization’s greatest to become the club’s new all time hits leader. The previous mark of 2,234 had been held by Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt.
Rollins stepped to the plate in the fifth inning against Edwin Jackson of the Chicago Cubs. After working a 3-1 count he lined a single to right field for the 2,235th hit of his career. Schmidt was in attendance in anticipation of the moment and would retrieve Rollins’ bat from home plate before joining Rollins at first base along with the rest of his teammates. The game was paused long enough for the team to congratulate Rollins, including the setting off of fireworks behind the scoreboard in left field.
With his teammates moving off the field, Rollins and Schmidt stood together along the first base line to a standing ovation.
Drafted in the 2nd Round of the 1996 Draft, Rollins made his debut with the Phillies during the 2000 season and has spent his entire career in Philadelphia. Appearing in over 2,000 games with the club, he’s hit a combined .268/.328/.425 over his career with three All Star Game appearances. He’d win four Gold Gloves, one Silver Slugger, and the 2007 NL MVP Award. He is the franchise’s all time leader in doubles, with 466, and ranks second in games played, at bats, and extra base hits; third in stolen bases, runs, and triples; fifth in RBI; sixth in walks; and ninth in home runs.