Philadelphia Phillies: Top-10 moments from 2008 World Championship run

Rollins sets the tone in NLDS and NLCS clinchers

During the Phillies five straight NL East titles from 2007-2011, there may have been no better tone-setter in the MLB than shortstop Jimmy Rollins.  There were countless moments where Rollins gave the Phillies momentum early on in games.

In game four of the NLDS, the Phillies were coming off a loss in game three and were looking to clinch the series and not have to travel back home for a decisive game five. To lead off the game, the 2007 MVP worked a 3-2 count and then took Jeff Suppan‘s payoff pitch down the right field line and into the seats to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead.

The Phillies would not look back and beat the Brewers 6-2 to move onto their first NLCS since 1993. And this would not be the first time Rollins led off a clincher with a home run in the 2008 postseason.

In game five of the NLCS, the Phillies were looking to win the series and move onto their first World Series since 1993. Rollins would once again set the tone for another big win. “J-Roll” worked yet another 3-2 count, and hit a 92 mile per hour fastball from Chad Billingsley deep into the right-field seats.

The Phillies went on to win that game 5-1 and move onto the World Series. Rollins’ leadoff home run set the tone for another historic win for the Phillies. Twice in those playoffs, Rollins led off clinching games home runs, doing exactly what a leadoff batter should do.