Bob Ford | Rollins gets himself noticed in Big Apple

Philadelphia Inquirer, The, April, 2007 by Bob Ford Inquirer Columnist

NEW YORK - If you haven't really arrived until they notice you in New York, then Jimmy Rollins made his official major-league debut yesterday.

"Jim-my Roll-ins, Jim-my Roll-ins," came the mocking singsong from the stands at Shea Stadium. The fans added a verb occasionally, just for effect, but it wasn't all that necessary. Fifty thousand people chanting your name is testament enough.

Yesterday, the fans had been primed upon arrival. The local media outlets, never ones to let any turn go unstoned, have reminded fans for weeks and weeks that Rollins declared the Phillies "the team to beat" in the NL East this season. How audacious!

"I said what I said," Rollins said. "There's no reason to have to defend it. I had a lot of fun out there today."

He was ...