World Series shortstops Jeter, Rollins became friends playing for US in World Baseball Classic

Jeter, Rollins got to know each other during WBC

NEW YORK — Jimmy Rollins carefully watched Derek Jeter when the two played for the United States during the World Baseball Classic. He studied how Jeter prepared for games and peppered him with questions about playing shortstop.

Actually, most of the inquiries were about a much different topic.

“A lot of the things we talked about was when he was going to get married,” a grinning Rollins said before refusing to answer a follow-up question about one of New York’s highest profile bachelors.

Rollins and Jeter became fast friends while competing for the U.S. in March. But the leadoff hitters likely won’t be exchanging pleasantries when Rollins leads the Philadelphia Phillies against Jeter’s Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday night.

Rollins and the Phillies are trying to become the first repeat champions since Jeter and the Yankees won three consecutive titles from 1998-2000. Jeter is seeking his fifth ring after also winning it all in 1996. He and the Yankees lost in the World Series in 2001 and 2003.

The World Baseball Classic seems like a long time ago.

“Jimmy asked a lot of questions,” Jeter said Tuesday, looking back on his short stretch as Rollins’ teammate. “He asked a lot of questions and I like to see that. He’s very inquisitive. He’s always trying to get better. Try to give him some advice but not too much.”

Rollins, who hit .417 as the U.S. made it to the WBC semifinals before losing to Japan, said he was impressed with Jeter’s work ethic.

“He’s all business,” the 2007 NL MVP said. “The man is serious. He takes his ground balls, he works, and that’s something that I wanted to see, was how much he works. You don’t get that good just on talent alone.”

Jeter, 35, and Rollins, 30, present similar problems for Philadelphia and New York. Both can hit for power, swipe a base or drive in a run. Jeter hit .334 with 18 homers, 66 RBIs and 30 steals this season, while Rollins batted .250 with 21 homers, 77 RBIs and 31 steals after getting off to a slow start.

Both players have delivered in the postseason, too. Jeter’s tying two-run homer helped send New York to a 7-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins in the playoff opener. Rollins hit a two-out, two-run double to give the Phillies a 5-4 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the NL championship series.

“I enjoy watching him play,” said Jeter, who was the World Series MVP in 2000. “I don’t know if I will enjoy it this series but he’s a big reason why they’ve had success.”

That’s why one of the keys for New York pitchers will be shutting down the switch-hitting Rollins and No. 2 hitter Shane Victorino. The same goes for Philadelphia’s staff, which will have to stop Jeter and Johnny Damon at the top of the Yankees’ lineup.

“They have guys that are batting one through nine that can all bat three, four, five,” Phillies Game 3 starter Cole Hamels said.

It all starts for both teams with the versatile shortstops at the top of the order.