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Jays Journal

Blue Jays have plenty of ties to the Hall of Fame ballot

By Chris Henderson

COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 24: Roberto Alomar gives his speech at Clark Sports Center during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 24, 2011 in Cooperstown, New York. In 17 major league seasons, Alomar tallied 2,724 hits, 210 home runs, 1,134 RBI, a .984 fielding percentage and a .300 batting average. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 24: Roberto Alomar gives his speech at Clark Sports Center during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 24, 2011 in Cooperstown, New York. In 17 major league seasons, Alomar tallied 2,724 hits, 210 home runs, 1,134 RBI, a .984 fielding percentage and a .300 batting average. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK – JULY 06: Scott Rolen
NEW YORK – JULY 06: Scott Rolen /

Scott Rolen

Contribution from Clayton Richer

Scott Rolen will make his way onto the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time after hanging up the spikes at the conclusion of the 2012 season. Rolen presents an interesting case for voters after a successful 17-year career with the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays.

The native of Evansville, Indiana was selected in the 2nd round, 46th overall in the 1993 amateur draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. Rolen would finish his career with a .281/.364/.490 slash line along with 316 home runs and a 70 WAR.

Rolen was acquired by the Blue Jays from the Cardinals in exchange for Troy Glaus during the winter of 2008. The third-baseman spent a season and half north of the border before being traded to the Reds in the deal that brought Edwin Encarnacion to Toronto. During his tenure in Toronto, Rolen batted .288/.358/.452 with 19 round trippers in 203 games with the Blue Jays.

Rolen’s Hall of Fame portfolio includes 8 Gold Glove awards coupled with 7 All-Star Game appearances and a World Series Championship with the Cardinals in 2006. The hot corner specialist should have a legitimate shot at Cooperstown when you compare his numbers to other third basemen that have been enshrined. Rolen has comparable if not better career numbers than the likes of Ron Santo, George Kell, Jimmy Collins and is not far from George Brett and Wade Boggs.

Rolen was never attached to any performance-enhancing drug speculation and would in all likelihood enter the Hall donning a Phillies or Cardinals cap if he can muster the votes.

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