Jimmy Rollins donates jersey to museum
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
Jimmy Rollins officially became a part of Philadelphia history yesterday when he donated his jersey to the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia.
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The shortstop whose hitting ability was an important part of the 2008 Phillies World Series win also donated autographed balls and a champagne bottle from the locker room after the historic win.
The Museum is not currently open – its building is under renovation – but when it does opens next fall it will have a special room permanently dedicated to local sports. There, Jimmy Rollins' jersey will be joined by other items such as a turnstile from the Veteran's Stadium and Joe Frazier's boxing gloves. Rollins says he is honored.
Rollins: At first I was ahh, what really have I done to get into a museum? Then I understood it was bigger than me – it's not just your jersey, it's representing what the Phillies mean to the city. But to have someone want to put your uniform in a museum it's very humbling.
Rollins is originally from California, but he has spent his entire professional baseball career playing for the Phillies.