Brian Smith: Jimmy Rollins joining Phillies as special advisor to the president of baseball operations

Apr. 1—The Philadelphia Phillies named former shortstop Jimmy Rollins special advisor to the president of baseball operations on Thursday.

In the role, Rollins periodically will assist the major league club in an on-field capacity and advise the front office with baseball operations decisions.

"The addition of Jimmy Rollins to our baseball operations department is a significant gain for the Phillies," Dave Dombrowski, the team's president of baseball operations, said in a statement. "As one of the franchise's all-time greats, Jimmy brings tremendous baseball instincts and an institutional knowledge of what it takes to win in Philadelphia. We look forward to his continued contributions to the Phillies."

"We are thrilled to have Jimmy back as part of the baseball operations staff and look forward to the positive impact he will have on this year's team," said Phillies managing partner John Middleton in a statement.

Rollins had served as a special advisor since 2019, with duties on the baseball and business sides that included coaching, meeting with sponsors and suite holders, fan engagement and community outreach. He will continue to serve as an analyst on select games on NBC Sports Philadelphia, which he has done since 2019.

"I'm honored to move into baseball operations and assist Dave and his staff," Rollins said in a statement. "The Phillies mean a great deal to me, and I'll do whatever I can to help get this team back to where it belongs, and that's deep in October."

Rollins, a member of the 2008 World Series champions and the 2007 National League MVP, is the franchise's all-time leader in hits (2,306) and doubles (479). He was a three-time All-Star (2001-02, 2005) and four-time Gold Glove Award winner (2007-09, 2012) in his 15 seasons with the Phillies.

Andersen to reduce radio role: Phillies color analyst Larry Andersen has decided to further reduce his workload for the 2022 season and will call 40 of the team's 81 home games, it was announced Thursday.

Andersen will work with play-by-play announcer Scott Franzke for weekend games at Citizens Bank Park. Since 2018, he has just called home games.

"The Phillies have been very understanding and accommodating in my desire for a scaled-back schedule," Andersen said in a statement. "This was not an easy decision for me, but I believe my new schedule is a nice middle ground that is a win-win for me, the Phillies and the fans.

"For the past 15 years, Scott Franzke and I have developed an incredible relationship. We kid each other a lot, but he is one of the main reasons why this decision was so difficult and why I don't want to completely walk away at this point."

The rotating crew of former Phillies Michael Bourn, Chad Durbin, Erik Kratz and Kevin Stocker will call the other 122 regular season games with Franzke. That foursome had been announced last month.

Andersen began his broadcasting career with the Phillies in 1998.

"Selfishly, I want Larry to work the broadcast with me forever," Franzke said in a statement. "However many games he can be with me, whether it's one or 100, it's always a privilege and a treat. He's meant the world to me, on and off the air, and that's probably not a big surprise to anyone. I want Larry to get exactly what he wants out of life and baseball, because he's earned it."

Andersen, a former pitcher, spent two stints with the Phillies during his 25-year playing career, which included 17 years in the majors. He was a member of the 1983 and 1993 NL champion Phillies.