Scott Rolen, Newest Hall of Famer

Scott Rolen wore #17 for the Phillies. As of today, he’s now #18 on the list of third baseman in Baseball’s Hall of Fame.

Of the 18 HOF third basemen, the Phillies have two who wore their uniform, Mike Schmidt and Rolen, and both were second-round draft picks. George Brett was also a second rounder (29th overall by the Royals) in 1971, Schmidt, #30.

Of the 18, Rolen’s one of two who never played any other position — all 17,479.1 innings were at third base. Frank (Home Run) Baker played 13,845.0 innings there in his 13-year American League career that began in 1908. (baseball-reference.com)

Rolen’s career was 17 years in “The Show,” of which the first 6.5 were with the Phillies, his longest stint with one team. In addition to the Phillies (1996–2002), he played in St. Louis (2002–07), Toronto (2008–09) and Cincinnati (2009–12). He logged the most games with the Phillies (844), followed by the Cardinals (661), Reds (330) and Blue Jays (203).

“The Phillies taught me how to play the game,” said Rolen this spring. “My six years in Philadelphia, I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. It taught me who I was as a player and what I was going to do for them, how I was going to work, no matter where I went.”

At 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, he was an impressive athletic figure, agile and strong, strong both physically and mentally. He was always aggressive, whether at the plate, in the field or on the bases.

“The highlight of my Hall of Fame career was the first day I got called up in the Major Leagues and I watched my parents walk into the stadium,” said Rolen. “I choked up on the field and had a hard time finishing the inning.”

Offense

“Hardest part of the game,” he said. “You’ve got to work and figure it out.”

Batted .281/.364/.490 with 2,077 hits, 316 home runs and 1,287 RBIs . . . One of only 35 players with at least 2,000 hits, 300 homers and 500 doubles. Became 22nd of that group in the HOF . . . Among HOF third basemen, 517 doubles rank fifth; 316 home runs, sixth . . . He hit 20 or more home runs in 10 seasons; 30 or more, three seasons . . . 100 RBI, five times; 100 runs, twice . . . 2002 Silver Slugger Award . . . He hit between 25 and 34 homers in each season, 1998–2004 . . . Lifetime, .281 vs. RHP; .282 vs. LHP . . . In wins, .318; in losses, .240 . . . Pinch-hitting, .400 (8–20). Designated hitter, never.

Highest career slugging percentage, HOF third basemen — Chipper Jones (.529), Schmidt (.527), Eddie Mathews (.509), Rolen (.490).

Defense

“I took pride in defense and baserunning,” Rolen also said earlier this year. “I thought those are two aspects that I could really contribute on a daily basis on the field.

Rolen recalled attending his first major-league camp with the Phillies in 1996 and being ordered by coach John Vukovich to report to the field before the sun rose to take ground balls.

“He said, ‘Kid, be there at 6.’ We went out there and he, as much as anybody, taught me how to work. He made me work hard. It wasn’t a choice. I didn’t have a choice to work hard. He worked as hard as I did, and he’s sweating and he’s hitting balls. It was nonstop. We just did it over and over and over, and he took a real interest in me. He taught me different defensive fundamentals that I just didn’t know about. Widened my stance. Put my glove in a certain spot. The learning curve was so fast because he was just right there with me the whole way. He spent so much time with me.”

Most Gold Gloves, third base: 16, Brooks Robinson; 10, Schmidt and Nolan Arenado; 8, Rolen.

Base-running

“Learned the importance of going first to third in the Phillies minor league system,” said Rolen. “Base running is your character. Took a lot of pride in making it an offensive weapon” . . . “I saw myself as a 245-pound rumbling, bumbling guy that was going to try to kill the second baseman to break up a double play and be announced as a big guy that runs pretty well.”

Honors

Just the ninth third baseman elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the BBWAA. Among all positions, third base has the fewest legends . . . One three inductees this season into the Phillies Wall of Fame. Because of a previous commitment, he is unable to be at the August 12 induction ceremonies. He will at Citizens Bank Park to accept the honor on September 22 in pre-game ceremonies . . . NL Rookie of the Year (1997) . . . Topps All-Star Rookie Team (1997) . . . All-Star seven times (2002–2006, 2010 & 2011) . . . Eight Gold Gloves (1998, 2000–2004, 2006 & 2010) . . .

High School

Basketball and baseball star at Jasper (IN) High School . . . Senior year, “Mr. Baseball” in state of Indiana . . . All-State in basketball, averaged 26.9 points per game with 9 rebounds as a shooting guard during his senior year . . . Offered multiple basketball scholarships. Committed to the University of Georgia but changed his mind when the Phillies drafted him in the second round. Credit scout Scott Trcka.