You know when people people tend to bash Jimmy Rollins for his at bats and streaky play I always think...."be careful what you wish for....." and think back to a time not so long ago when the shortstop position in Philadelphia was manned by a very less talented player who would go on to become "legendary"
That Player...
Desi Relaford
I think the most shocking thing about his career is that Desi was able to play 11 seasons in the Majors for 7 different teams (RIGHT!!?) That is quite the accomplishment for a player who hit over .300 once (2001). But still.300 doesn't make a baseball player... all the intangibes do.
Like being able to stay grounded even though you are replacing the Great Kevin Stocker (who had a twin sister..I know you don't care but think about that image for a moment..)
Relaford was a part of a 1997 phillies team that finished with the best record in the majors....well best record in the second half of the season...and was a part of a young energetic group that was going to start the rebuilding process for the Phils.
Relaford would play with the phillies for four years including a career high 142 in 1998. He did not do much..he was fast, compact and surpsingly we would later find out could pitch!
But his stay was not long on this Phillie team because in 2000 the Phillies believed that they had a farmhand who was competent enough to be their everyday starting shortstop....Jimmy Rollins.
So for the rest of his life Desi will be a never ending answer to the trivia question "who was the phillies last starting everyday shortstop before Jimmy Rollins??" and because of that Desi...
Welcome to the Hall of Legends
