Jimmy Rollins thrilled Phillies fans with leadoff home runs, 46 to be exact, by far the most in team history. He excited fans by hitting more doubles than anyone who ever wore a Phillies uniform and got people out of their seats with his electrifying triples in the alleys or corners.

Yet, it was a simple line-drive single to right field on June 14, 2014, that set him apart from everyone else who's played for the Phillies. Ripping a fifth-inning fastball from Cubs right-hander Edwin Jackson for a single vaulted him into first place for the most hits in franchise history, with 2,235.

• Phillies alumni

He was greeted by the incumbent, Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, a priceless image. Both were second-round selections, Mike in 1971, Jimmy in 1996.

On May 4, the Phillies will honor Jimmy Rollins, their hit king, pregame. He’ll ceremoniously retire as a Phillie that night.

Scouting Report
Bob Poole followed Rollins and filed the following after seeing him play two games (14 innings) in March of that year: “This youngster can pick and throw. He has range, quickness, supple hands, strong/accurate arm. Excellent instincts and field smarts. Switch hitter; swing is compact with short stride, makes sharp contact from both sides. Tool-wise, it’s all there, except power, but it comes in a small package. Will be an early pick by a club that will go for tools over size. He CAN play and he can play shortstop in the major leagues.”

Milestone hits
#1 – September 17, 2000 vs FLA: Third-inning triple off Chuck Smith

#500 – September 7, 2003 vs NYM: First-inning single off Al Leiter

#1,000 – July 15, 2006 at SF: Seventh-inning triple off Brian Wilson

#1,500 – May 21, 2009 at CIN: Seventh-inning RBI single off Jared Burton

#2,000 – September 4, 2012, at CIN, Fifth-inning double off Mat Latos

#2,235 – June 14, 2014 vs. CHI: Fifth-inning single off Edwin Jackson

Nuggets
• Rollins' first hit was a triple (9/17/2000), as was his 1,000th hit (2006) and his final hit as a Phillie (2014).

• Led NL in triples and stolen bases (2001), first rookie since 1951. Also led in three other seasons.

• He obliterated the Phillies record book. Want proof? In addition to the all-time leader in hits and doubles, he’s No. 1 in at-bats; No. 2 in games, total bases, extra-base hits and stolen bases; and No. 3 in runs, singles and triples. Among switch-hitters, he stands alone among all Phillies in all offensive categories.

• He also holds the club record for longest hitting streak, 38 games -- 36 games at the end of 2005 and two in 2006.

Tablesetter
Jimmy took over the leadoff spot in July 2001 and held it for almost 10 seasons. During that stretch, the Phillies won five consecutive division titles, two NL pennants and the 2008 World Series.

He was also the voice. In January 2007, he said the Phillies were the team to beat, a controversial claim since the Mets were the defending NL East champion. The greatest era in Phillies history followed.

Trophy room
Paul Owens Award co-winner, Rawlngs Gold Glove (4), All-Star (3), Silver Slugger, Roberto Clemente Award and the crown jewel, 2007 NL MVP. Phillies Wall of Fame will follow and perhaps the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Career
• 17 years in the Majors, first 15 with the Phillies. Also played for Dodgers (2015) and White Sox (2016).

• Most runs: 139 (2007), hits 212 (2007), doubles 45 (2006), triples 20 (2007), home runs 30 (2007), RBIs 94 (2007), stolen bases 47 (2008), average .296 (2007).

Photo by Miles Kennedy