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Jimmy Rollins, Rickie Weeks to serve as managers in HBCU Swingman Classic
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- Jimmy Rollins, Rickie Weeks to serve as managers in HBCU Swingman Classic
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Jimmy Rollins, Rickie Weeks to serve as managers in HBCU Swingman Classic appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
This year's HBCU Swingman Classic is set to feature two former MLB stars as managers. According to a release by the MLB, former Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins and former Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Rickie Weeks will serve as team managers at the annual HBCU baseball event, set for July 10th. The event, created by Ken Griffey Jr., takes place during MLB All-Star Weekend and is meant to shine a spotlight on HBCU Baseball
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Both joined MLB Today to speak about their participation in the event. Rollins says that he looks to impart knowledge on the young HBCU baseball standouts.
"It was easy to be able to be there in a dugout with these young brothers that may not have had an opportunity to go to big D-I schools or maybe had an opportunity and decided to go to an HBCU. It's the biggest stage that they're going to be on until they get to the big leagues. It's an MLB stadium, at the MLB All-Stars, with a lot of history around them.
He added, "To pass on my number, let them know for anything, I'm here. I'm not a stranger at this point anymore going forward. So it was a no-brainer."
Rollins was also complimentary of HBCU baseball and the competitiveness that the sport showcases.
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"HBCU baseball is very competitive," Rollins said. "There's good, quality baseball. It's just bringing eyes to it. I think this brings a spotlight to that, and you know, this is your chance to go show off."
Weeks also expressed his excitement to give back to HBCUs as a former HBCU baseball player at Southern University.
"Just coming back and getting a chance to manage a team that gave me the chance to play college baseball," Weeks said. "What more can you ask than that?"
Weeks also believes that the Swingman Classic is a great platform for HBCU athletes to receive opportunities, something that he wishes existed when he was at Southern.
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"I would've welcomed that with open arms," Weeks said. "I've always said when you go off the Minor League baseball and start playing and seeing the guys around you and knowing that guys who you [used to] play with should have been there."
Related: HBCU graduate gets student loans paid off by Lil' Baby
