On Tuesday, the baseball writers elected Scott Rolen to the Hall of Fame in his sixth appearance on the ballot.
Rolen, 47, will join the former first baseman Fred McGriff, who was elected by an eras committee in December, on the stage in Cooperstown, N.Y., this July. Rolen received votes on 297 of 389 ballots, or 76.3 percent — candidates needed at least 75 percent (or 292 votes) to make it.
To me, Rolen is the prototype ‘Very-Good’ player. He did not excel in any particular category. Rolen did many things well, but nothing great.
In his career, Rolen won eight Gold Glove awards and was one of the best defensive third basemen in the league. He also won the Rookie of the Year award in 1997, made seven All-Star teams, took home a Silver Slugger in 2002 and won the 2006 World Series with the Cardinals.
Rolen had 2,077 hits in his career, along with 316 home runs and 1,287 RBI in his 17-year career. His career batting average is .281. Rolen never finished in the top ten in hits, home runs, or batting average.
These numbers outline the credentials of a very good player. A player who would be a strong addition to nearly any roster. He is not worthy of being in the Hall of Fame. The baseball Hall of Fame is beginning to become a joke. It should be a place for the best of the best. Not the really good.
St. Louis Cardinals 3B Scott Rolen. Photo courtsey of Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images
