Willis expects reunion with Rollins
Jimmy Rollins and Dontrelle Willis grew up in the same town, attended the same high school and both had mothers who played professional softball. They have long traded barbs about who is better — Rollins, for the record, is only a career .239 hitter in 63 at-bats against Willis — and fostered a kinship as two Bay Area African Americans playing baseball.
Willis expects reunion with Rollins
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Jimmy Rollins and Dontrelle Willis grew up in the same town, attended the same high school and both had mothers who played professional softball. They have long traded barbs about who is better — Rollins, for the record, is only a career .239 hitter in 63 at-bats against Willis — and fostered a kinship as two Bay Area African Americans playing baseball.
But they've never been teammates until now.
Well, maybe.
OK, probably.
"He was probably more excited about the deal than I was," Willis said of Rollins.
Willis officially became a Phillie on Thursday when he passed his physical. The Phillies signed the former rookie of the year to a one-year deal for $850,000. Performance incentives could push his salary above $1 million.
For the first time in his career, Willis will be a reliever, one the Phillies hope can successfully retire lefthanders. The soon-to-be 30-year-old said he had interest from a handful of other teams and could have possibly remained a starter elsewhere.
The allure of Philadelphia — and a possible reunion with Rollins — was too enticing.
"I wanted to win," Willis said, "and what better ballclub to be with than Philadelphia? So at this point in my career, that's what it's all about; enjoying the game and having fun."
Playing with Rollins would be a bonus. The longtime Phillies shortstop remains unsigned, but indications are that the two sides will eventually reach an accord. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has engaged Rollins' agent, Dan Lozano, in negotiations since last week's winter meetings. Both sides are steadfast in their demands, despite the market all but evaporating for shortstops.
Willis said he talks to Rollins often. At Encinal High in Alameda, Calif., the two were never teammates. Willis played with Rollins' younger brother, Antwon. But Willis remembers shagging for Rollins during batting practice and watching Rollins learn to switch hit with instruction from his father.
Willis spoke Thursday like it's all but guaranteed he'll play alongside Rollins in 2012.
"It's pretty surreal to come full circle," Willis said. "I think our families are more excited for this than we are."
With Willis' signing, the Phillies have committed $124 million to 15 players for 2012.
Read more in Friday's Inquirer about Willis' role next season.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
ONTHEBUCKS - You do make a compelling case re: Young. That would work for me, but are you sure he hit .338 with 106 RBIs..? That doesn't seem right...— 5NOT4
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- 5NOT4, Michael Young had 213 hits in 631 times at bat in 2011 for a .338 batting average. He also had 11 homers, 106 RBIs and an .854 OPS. Would I kid Dontrelle Willis?— onthebucks
- Michael Young is a fine offensive player...always has been.But he hasn't been able to play shortstop at a Major League level for years now...give it up,please. Last week you had Polanco able to play shortstop still...The key right now is solidified defensive play from a shortstop for the great pitching that the club has invested so heavily in. That very well could be J Roll, but on the club's terms. — bearsfriend
- Phils traded Abreu and cash for a bag of peanuts, got no production from Dellucci/Conine in RF the rest of the season, missed the playoffs in '06, and turned around next season using those savings on signing Eaton and to trade for Garcia. Anyone who thinks the Abreu trade was the turn around of this franchise is delusional.— MG77
- In 2006 the Phillies were 40-47 before the All-Star break. They ditched Abreu and his cancerous, stat-padding, selfish attitude and went 45-30 the rest of the way in 2006 and won divisional titles every year since. It seems like the definition of both "turning point" and "addition by subtraction." If Rube truly meant that his plan for improvement was to send the same old declining guys out there but with a different approach, Jimmy Rollins on the roster makes no sense at all because everyone from Larry Bowa-to-Tony Gwynn have worked with him to try and change his approach and he has steadfastly refused and is the definition of "uncoachable." — jtj06
- I was going to post the same as MG77. The idea that trading Abreu was the reason the phillies got better and not because their younger players actually started to play better and come into their primes. Yesterday I tied my shoes left-handed and when I went outside I found 5 dollars. Does that mean that tying my shoes left-handed had anything to do with me finding a fin? If this premise was correct then the team that Abreu went to should have gotten worse but they didn't. He was an important contributor to winning teams. Drop this old wives tale and move on i like the Bowa reference. So you are saying an absolutely awful Major league hitter like Bowa couldn;t take a Laegue MVP and make him more like him at the plate? — UncleStosh
- Why does DWillis always have that ignorant smirk on his face as if he know's something— OurCity2000
- At least man up and just call him a bigger instead of using code. Better yet, next time you are out why don't you find a black guy your size and age and call him a bigger or do you just do it behind a keyboard? All I ever see with Willis is a guy who smiles and enjoys the game he is lucky enough to get paid to play and he does it with passion and perspective. — UncleStosh
- JimG, I was thinking the same exact thing. It is nice.— phillyinsd
- I guess Willis got his ANXIETY under control. I remember the last time I saw WILLIS in Philly when he was playing for the MARLINS. He was safe at first and then he just dropped to the ground and started wheeling around with his foot just like that guy from the three stooges. Go figure. Also, I think he had blood shot eyes. Go figure again.— sevillano
- I hope he earns his MILLION SMACKERS though.— sevillano
- @onthebucks...I know you love rumors of trade acquisitions, so consider this...The Cardinals are one of the teams going hard at Carlos Beltran..If they get him, with Holliday and Jay...Allen Craig is the odd man out...Phillies deal Polanco to the Cards (to be their secondbaseman until Zach Cox is ready next year) with an Aumont or DeFratus to get the hard hitting Craig, who becomes their new thirdbaseman (not a Gold Glover but a legitimate stick) who also plays corner outfield and second in a pinch....December talk.— bearsfriend
- It does'nt seem to make any sense, but Carlos Betran is probably coming to Philadelpia. Talk about extra outfielders !
PS Rollins and Beltran are going to get two year contracts at reasonable rates.— candidly
