Scott Rolen

Longtime slick-fielding third baseman Scott Rolen has been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, getting 76.3% of the ballots cast in his sixth year of ...

His association with the controversy later led him to resign as manager of the [New York Mets](/mlb/team/_/name/nym/new-york-mets) before his first season in that role. While the voters have been stingy in recent years, next year could see a more active induction week with a number of interesting candidates becoming eligible. Unlike 2021, when no new Hall of Famers were elected by either the writers or an era committee -- the first time since 1960 that had happened -- there will be at least two new inductees giving a speech in Cooperstown during induction ceremonies on July 23. Beltran's Hall case is solid on the merits of a career that saw 435 homers, 312 steals, 2,725 hits and one of baseball's most sparkling postseason records. Ironically, the paucity of electees comes just a few years after a particular fecund period of voting by the writers. Rodriguez missed the 2014 season under suspension for violation of MLB's PED policies. The three-year stretch in which the BBWAA has elected just two players matches a historical low. The 1997 National League Rookie of the Year was a member of the Cardinals when they won the 2006 World Series. The writers did not elect anyone in 2021 and, last year, only Red Sox great David Ortiz was selected by the writers. The same upward trajectory in support has held true for Helton, who started at 16.5% in 2019. Next year will be his ninth season of eligibility. "Those were two aspects I could contribute daily on the field."

Todd Helton and Billy Wagner fell just short, with 72.2% and 68.1% of the vote, respectively. Andruw Jones and Gary Sheffield were the only other players to ...

Torii Hunter, who was making his debut on the ballot as well, received 6.9%, meaning he will stay on the ballot for another year. Beltran is a clear Hall of Famer based on performance, but his involvement in the sign stealing scandal with the Andruw Jones and Gary Sheffield were the only other players to receive at least 50% of the vote.

He became the 18th third baseman elected to the Hall, the fewest of any position. Rolen's 76.3% of the vote was the smallest margin for an electee since Al ...

Carlos Beltrán received 181 votes (46.5%), his total likely impacted by his role in the Houston Astros cheating scandal en route to the 2017 World Series title. ”You kind of outgrow the shortstop position as you get older and develop more." “I was normally going to grill for everybody but now my brother-in-law's grilling.” Never did I think I was going to play in the major leagues. Kent can be considered by the contemporary baseball era committee in future years. Rolen played shortstop, second base, third, right field, center, left and pitcher at Jasper High School before settling at third in his sophomore or junior year. “Never did I think I was going to get drafted. Basketball in 1993 — with his parents, wife, son, daughter, brother and his brother's family. A seven-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove winner, Rolen was picked on 297 of 389 ballots cast by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America for 76.3%. Helton moved up from 52% and can have five more appearances on the ballot, while Wagner rose from 51% and has two additional chances. Louis (2002-07), Toronto (2008-09) and Cincinnati (2009-12). He didn't need to follow

Rolen was the lone candidate elected by the BBWAA, receiving votes on 76.3% of ballots. Eligible candidates must receive votes from 75% of writers for election.

Rolen becomes the most recent former Phillie to be elected to the Hall of Fame since Jim Kaat, who was voted in by the Golden Era Committee in 2022. Rather than accept monster contract offers (at the time) of either seven year and $90 million or 10 years and $140 million, Rolen forced a trade, making clear he had no intention of re-signing with the team after the 2002 season. On July 29, 2002, the Phillies traded Rolen to the Cardinals along with Doug Nickle in a deal that brought back Plácido Polanco, Mike Timlin and Bud Smith. Rolen won the 1997 National League Rookie of the Year as a Phillie, and was an All-Star in July of 2002, the waning days of his tenure with the team. His peak season came in 2004, when he slashed .314/.409/.598 with 34 home runs, 124 RBIs, 30 defensive runs saved, 1.007 OPS and a staggering 9.0 WAR. Instead, he would spend the next five-and-a-half seasons with the Cardinals. A second-round pick out of Jasper High School (Indiana) in 1993, Rolen spent parts of seven seasons with the Phillies, the largest chunk of any of the four franchises he played with. He was so big and so quick, that his range was unbelievable. “Here’s the thing that Scott Rolen had that none of these other guys had. Louis Cardinals cap on his plaque, despite playing 183 more games as a Phillie. “But I look at Scott Rolen and say ‘Yes.’ How many better third basemen have played the game of baseball. Eligible candidates must receive votes from 75% of writers for election.

Despite his case never being a slam dunk, here are six reasons one of the best third basemen of all time is headed to Cooperstown.

(Baseball-Reference's fielding metrics credit only Brooks Robinson and Adrian Beltre with more fielding runs at third base.) That's why Rolen is top 10 at the position, and in my book, if you're top 10, you're a Hall of Famer. No, these are not necessarily players viewed as inner-circle Hall of Famers, with the exception of Gwynn, but it's a strong list of well-qualified Hall of Famers. It is a reason that it's the most underrepresented position in Cooperstown. All are Hall of Famers except for Mauer, who is not yet eligible (and joins Beltre on the ballot next year). Still, among third basemen (who played at least 50% of their games at the position), he is: Rolen comes right smack in the middle: 19 players have more career WAR, and 19 have less. For them, he doesn't pass the "eye test" for Hall of Fame status -- a test that usually seems to top out with the likes of Willie Mays, Henry Aaron, Johnny Bench and Ken Griffey Jr., as if the Hall of Fame should only elect the most indisputable of candidates. There are several Hall of Famers below him, including Home Run Baker, Jimmy Collins, Pie Traynor and George Kell -- a reminder that you don't have to be Mike Schmidt or George Brett to make it. Yes, it's not the Hall of WAR, but it's a reasonable starting point that helps explain why the baseball writers got around to supporting Rolen. Including Rolen, that gives us a list of 39 Hall of Famers. No, it's not the complete answer, but it's an important part of the equation and gives us context beyond numbers like hits or home runs that ignore position or defense. Rolen made electoral history with his selection: He now has the lowest first-year vote percentage -- just 10.2% -- of any player to eventually get to the 75% required from the writers since modern voting procedures began in 1966.