Fansided

Jimmy Rollins fails to make Giants roster

By Jimmy Longo

Mar 15, 2017; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants shortstop Jimmy Rollins (7) in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels during a spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2017; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants shortstop Jimmy Rollins (7) in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels during a spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /
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Trying to keep a storied career continuing, Jimmy Rollins’ attempt to keep playing took another hit.

Seeing the near-end of a storied career in the major leagues can either be something special or sad. For Jimmy Rollins, the latter appears to be the case, even after he was such a stalwart at the shortstop position during his 17-year career. Reports out of San Francisco are that Rollins will not make the Giants’ roster to start the season, putting doubts about the continuation of Rollins’ future in baseball.

For Rollins, this part of the saga of his career may leave a little more sting than the way his stints in Los Angeles and Chicago, and perhaps even in Philadelphia ended. The 38-year-old is a native of the Bay Area and near the end of his career was looking at ending his career home, staying close to family and perhaps ending his career on a sentimental note.

Though the sentimentality would be nice, the spring training stats for Rollins just don’t equate, as Rollins was only 5-of-42 (.119) this spring in 17 games with the Giants.

Stories like these are sad in baseball and especially when the character of the player far outweighs his talent, even in the kind of talent that Rollins has been throughout his career.

The three-time All-Star over his career has amassed 231 home runs, 2,455 hits and 936 RBI to go along with the 2007 National League MVP.

Speaking to Rollins’ character again, the shortstop won the Roberto Clemente Award in 2014, for his work with inner-city youth and raising money for various charities throughout the city of Philadelphia.

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As for this being the end of Rollins’ career, it would be sad if it was, but I’m not sure that there’s much left in the tank. It appears that Rollins’ isn’t ready to let go of the game he loves and understandably so. If he’s trying to stay in the Bay Area, maybe he could provide depth on a major-league minimum to the A’s in the right capacity at third base, second or short, but who knows whether or not the A’s would be willing and or want to.

If this is the end for Rollins, it’s been quite the journey.

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