In a candid interview on the Phillies Show podcast, former Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins reflected on the single moment that defined his career.
The 2007 Declaration
Rollins said, “I’d say the 2007 season,” noting that it was the year that “built the belief system. It literally was the launching pad for us as an organization for that five-year stretch that we had.”
He recalled a pre-season statement that became a rallying cry: “I think we are the Team To Beat.” The phrase spread quickly, changing the mindset of the franchise and reshaping the NL East.
The Impact on the Team
The shortstop, who stands 5-7 and was often called “10 feet tall around a baseball diamond,” was no stranger to boldness. He had long believed in the talent surrounding him and the moves management had made in the offseason.
When then-GM Pat Gillick suggested the team was “years away” from success, Rollins reacted strongly. He said, “[Then-GM] Pat Gillick coming in and saying we’re years away and – I can curse on this, right? – I’m like ‘F— that! I don’t have years, bro!'”
“It worked. It pissed me the hell off. I don’t know how anyone else felt about it, but when he said that, I was pissed, I’m like ‘What the f— you talking about, bro? We have it right here.'”
The Phillies were seven games behind the Mets with 17 games left. They finished that stretch 13-4, including a win in the regular-season finale over the Nationals that prominently featured Rollins.
The Season’s Climax
Rollins carried his teammates through September, earning the NL MVP award for the season. The victory was not just a personal accolade but a testament to the belief he had instilled.
He remembered, “This whole system of guys just coming up and buying into, ‘This is ours, we will win,'” adding, “That was the proudest moment of my career. It culminated in my MVP, but it was seeing just everybody buy into something.”
The five-year run that followed the 2007 season saw the Phillies win a World Series, secure four Gold Gloves, and become the most successful stretch in the club’s 143-season history.
Key Takeaways
- 2007 season was the catalyst for the Phillies’ five-year success.
- Rollins’ pre-season statement “I think we are the Team To Beat” reshaped the franchise’s mindset.
- The team finished a 13-4 stretch to close the season, earning Rollins the NL MVP.
Rollins’ reflection underscores how a single belief, voiced by a player, can ignite a franchise’s transformation and leave a lasting legacy.
Closing Thoughts
Jimmy Rollins’ candid look back at 2007 shows that the most powerful moments in sports often come from a shared conviction. His words and actions set the stage for a historic run that defined a generation of Phillies fans.
