Liberty Ball

Fans of the Philadelphia Phillies got an early Christmas present as the team and long time shortstop Jimmy Rollins reached agreement on a 3 year,33 million dollar deal December 17th 2011.   Drafted in the 2nd round of the 1996 amateur draft, the Oakland, California native is a 3 time all star and gold glove winner while ranking among the top five in many franchise records including games, hits, runs, doubles, triples and stolen bases. The deal also includes a versting option for a 4th year at 11 million, all total the contract should keep him in Philadelphia thru the 2015 when the 2007 National League MVP will be 37.  Interesting to note that the Phillies signed Rollins  boyhood friend LHP Dontrelle Willis to a contract  December 15th 2011.