Jimmy Rollins hosts ‘Havana Nights’; Phils sign Papelbon

The Jimmy Rollins Family Foundation hosted its inaugural Havana Nights benefit for Prevent Child Abuse Pennsylvania last night at the National Constitution Center.

Jimmy Rollins, dressed in a stylish white top hat and matching suit, co-hosted the event with his wife, Johari. Rollins walked the red carpet, posed for the cameras and answered questions fired at him, mostly from the TV crews. Rollins refused to answer any baseball-related questions, choosing instead to promote the cause.

“I’ve always wanted to give back to people that are less fortunate and this is one of the ways we do it, by putting these events together,” Rollins said. “Everybody wants to do something, I think, when you have a good heart and God is always putting it in your heart to help who you can.”

Rollins said he was saddened by the recent tragedy unfolding at Penn State, where a former defensive coordinator stands accused of sexually assaulting young children. The shortstop admitted that last night’s event came at the “right time” to help promote awareness for an unfortunate epidemic.

Meanwhile, just a few miles away in South Philadelphia, the Phillies held a press conference to introduce their new closer, Jonathan Papelbon. The former Red Sox pitcher inked a $50 million deal that will pay him roughly $12.5 million per season.

Despite throwing all that money at one guy, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. insisted he still had some “flexibility” to re-sign Rollins.

“Obviously shortstop is a position we’d like to shore up,” Amaro said. “I’ve been pretty open and public about what we’re trying to do to move forward as far as Jimmy is concerned. Hopefully, we can take care of that business in the short term. I’m not sure the timetable that is going to take.”