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Former Blue Jays on the 2022 Hall of Fame Ballot and where they stand

By Tyson Shushkewich

Toronto Blue Jays' starting pitcher Roger Clemens, who gave up nine runs to the New York Yankees the last time they played, gave up three hits and one run through seven innings at Yankee Stadium in New York 27 April. AFP PHOTO Henny Ray ABRAMS (Photo by HENNY RAY ABRAMS / AFP) (Photo by HENNY RAY ABRAMS/AFP via Getty Images)
Toronto Blue Jays' starting pitcher Roger Clemens, who gave up nine runs to the New York Yankees the last time they played, gave up three hits and one run through seven innings at Yankee Stadium in New York 27 April. AFP PHOTO Henny Ray ABRAMS (Photo by HENNY RAY ABRAMS / AFP) (Photo by HENNY RAY ABRAMS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK – JULY 06: Scott Rolen #33 of the Toronto Blue Jays fields the ball against the New York Yankees on July 6, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Scott Rolen

After 17 years in Major League Baseball, third baseman Scott Rolen put up some pretty respectable numbers throughout his career.

He won the Rookie of the Year Award back in 1997 and was a seven-time All-Star as well as an eight-time Gold Glove Award winner. Rolen also has a World Series ring in his trophy case from his time spent with the St. Louis Cardinals back in 2006.

Prior to the 2008 campaign, the Cardinals traded Rolen to the Blue Jays in exchange for Troy Glaus. Rolen would go on to spend the next year and a half as a member of the Jays, compiling a .288/.358/.452 slash line with 19 home runs, 91 RBI, and a .810 OPS through 203 games. At the 2009 trade deadline, the Blue Jays traded the Indiana product to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Edwin Encarnacion, Josh Roenicke, and Zach Stewart, a trade that Jays fans are not too upset about when looking at the big picture.

Looking at the Hall of Fame ballot, there are quite a few players who once suited up for the Toronto Blue Jays. What are their chances of being elected this year?

While Rolen never formally retired from baseball, his last season was in 2012 with the Reds. He would finish with a career .281/.364/.490 slash line to go along with 517 doubles, 316 home runs, and a .855 OPS through 7398 at-bats.

This is Rolen’s fifth year on the ballot and each season he inches a little bit closer to the 75% threshold needed to enter the Hall of Fame. He currently sits at 68.8% while appearing on 117 of the 170 known votes. The former Phillies’ second-round pick will need a strong second half if he wants to make it this year, needing to appear on 79.7% of the remaining ballots.

There is always the potential for next year when names like Curt Schilling, Sammy Sosa, Roger Clemens, and Barry Bonds are no longer eligible, as I feel like he has been overshadowed by the whole PED controversy surrounding some of the other players on the ballot. While it may not happen this year, Rolen’s stats in my opinion are Cooperstown worthy and hopefully, the BBWAA voters figure it out sooner than later.

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