Jimmy Rollins breaks Phillies all-time hits record in win

By PATRICK GORDON | Managing Editor
June 14 2014, 
@Philabaseball

PHILADELPHIA - It was just a matter of time for Jimmy Rollins.

The shortstop collected his 2,235th hit in a Phillies uniform on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park, drilling a 3-1 fastball in the fifth inning off Cubs starter Edwin Jackson to right field for a single.

"Since I was four, you go to school and teachers ask you, 'What do you want to do?' And I would tell them, 'I'm going to play baseball. I'm going to be a baseball player,'" Rollins said. "They would tell me the percentages, and I would say, 'Well, that's fine. I'm one of those people in that small percent.' It's awesome being able to accomplish what I have accomplished, but I'm not done. Hopefully we can bring another championship to the city, if I'm here long enough, and the rest will be the rest."

The hit moved the 35-year-old past Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt on the franchise all-time hits list and moved him into sole possession of the 168th spot in major league history.

Schmidt, in town since Wednesday, walked on to the field and and celebrated alongside Rollins - carrying his bat down the first base line and hugging the shortstop. Fireworks went off overhead and Schmidt raised Rollins' arm to a standing ovation.

"Congratulations," Schmidt said. "I appreciate your friendship."

Rollins' teammates poured out of the dugout with Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard being the first to offer congratulations.

"I'm excited," Howard said. "I'm really happy for him and for his family, and you have to leave it to Jimmy to do it in dramatic fashion. That's always been his forte."