January 08, 2015
Jimmy Rollins, who spent his entire 15-year career with the Phillies before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers last month, had his introductory press conference yesterday.
Decked out in Dodgers blue, the 36-year-old shortstop had the following to say, which I'm sure Phillies fans enjoyed as they watch their prepare for another losing season.
"I haven't won enough rings. That's why I put on this uniform." —@JimmyRollins11
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 8, 2015
More painful* for Phillies fans was the direct comparison that Rollins, who won an MVP in 2007 and a World Series title in 2008, made between the two franchises.
*Perhaps jealous is a better word.
He pointed to the winning culture in LA, saying that the Dodgers "a place that has history and wants to win. It wasn't happening in Philly at the moment, so I'm here."
With the Dodgers projected to be one of the National League's best teams this year, there's a good chance Rollins will find himself playing October baseball again, but that will only bring back memories like this for fans across the Delaware Valley:
And now, for the first time in his career, Rollins may not be the clubhouse leader in swag. He'll have to beat out Yasiel Puig for that honor.
"They clown while they're beating you," Rollins said of his new team. "It's like boxing and the dude's hitting you and talking to you at the same time."
As for Puig?
"Hopefully, we keep all that energy going in the right direction," Rollins continued. "He's going to be a star. He is a star."
The real question is whether or not baseball is ready for Rollins and Yasiel Puig on the same team. Can one clubhouse contain all that swagger?
