Phillies

Jimmy Rollins Will Play in the World Baseball Classic

By Kyle Scott

Published: Jan 17th, 2013 · 12:38 PM EST

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This will be the first World Baseball Classic since I’ve been blogging full-time (read: working at home in my underwear), so I’ll be able to watch many of the early round games, some of which take place at weird times (EST)– 5 a.m., 4 p.m and 9 p.m. among them. Problem is, most of you don’t work at home in your underwear, and watching games at those times requires a serious commitment (and vacation time that, really, you have nothing better with?). So I’m not sure how much of a thing the WBC is. But, Jimmy Rollins is playing in it and I thought you should know.

Media Home Run Derby runner-up Ryan Lawrence brings us the details: [Philly.com]

Rollins was the lone Phillies player listed when the WBC’s American roster was unveiled on Thursday morning. Rollins also played for Team USA in 2009, the second go-round of the Olympic-style, early-spring baseball tournament.

With Derek Jeter and Troy Tulowitzki coming off injuries, Rollins was somewhat of an obvious choice for Team USA. The 34-year-old won his fourth Gold Glove in 2012.

Worth noting: Rollins struggled offensively coming off his last WBC appearance.

He was benched in late June while carrying a batting average that hovered near the Mendoza line. Rollins finished the season at .250, but with a career-low .296 on-base percentage.

 

Of course, it's also worth noting that J-Roll™ did this later that year.

Rollins will be joined on the team by his buddy, Boston Red Sox center fielder Shane Victorino. Aloha.