Jimmy Rollins joins Phillies as special adviser

Jimmy Rollins does not seem to be waiting until May’s retirement ceremony to find work. He latched on with the Phillies on Tuesday as a special adviser.

Rollins, the team’s all-time hits leader, four-time Gold Glove shortstop, and 2007 National League MVP, will work on both the baseball and business sides of the organization. The Phillies said his duties will include “spring training coaching, meeting with sponsors and suite holders, fan engagement and community outreach.”

“It goes without saying that Jimmy was a huge part of the team’s success during the five-year run of division titles and he is one of the greatest players to wear our uniform,” Phillies executive vice president David Buck said. “His acumen for both business and baseball makes this a natural fit. We are excited to have him back.”

The Phillies will honor Rollins on May 4 before holding retirement ceremonies later in the season for Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. Those ceremonies will lead up to the Phillies' honoring the 2009 NL-champion team in August.

Rollins, 40, last played for the Phillies in 2014 and has been out of baseball since he was released by San Francisco in 2017 at the end of spring training.