Joining Fred McGriff in this weekend's Hall of Fame ceremony is Scott Rolen.
Rolen never lead the league in any statistic, and had a reputation for being
injured, but few can deny he beautifully blended consistent offensive
production with defensive mastery. Like McGriff earlier this week, I am
presenting a Top 5 of his cards. Unlike McGriff, the first two are the only
ones in my collection. In addition to thses two, I rounded out my Top 5 with
three cards that I appreciate and enjoy. I hope you will too.
1997 Upper Deck #229
Rolen made his Major League debut on August 1, 1996. Five weeks later his
season ended when he was hit by a pitch and fractured his right ulna. What's
interesting is that his 1996 season ended with exactly 130 at-bats, the
maximum number allowed to be considered a rookie. That hit-by-pitch (that
didn't count as an at-bat) meant that Rolen retained his rookie eligibility
for the 1997 season. He would go on to win the Rookie of the Year award.
1998 Collector's Choice #261
This card is fun but weird. On the one hand, both players unanimously won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1997. What makes it weird is that Rolen didn't lead the NL in rookie batting average - he came in fourth behind Vladimir Guerrero, Wilton Guerrero, and Neifi Perez. Both Rolen and Nomar lead their respective rookie groups in runs, home runs, and RBI - any of those would have been a better choice!
2002 Stadium Club #43
Rolen is regarded as one of the best fielding third basemen ever. He won eight
Gold Gloves, more than anyone at the hot corner except for Brooks Robinson,
Mike Schmidt, and Nolan Arenado.
2004 Topps #582
2004 was Rolen's best season statistically. He set career highs in numerous
offensive categories, and finished 4th in MVP voting. His 2 run home run off
Roger Clemens in Game 7 of the NLCS capped the decisive win that would send
the Cardinals to the World Series.
2009 Topps Updates
& Highlights #UH76
In 2011, he became the fourth third baseman ever to have 2,000 hits, 500
doubles, 300 home runs and 1,200 RBIs, joining Mike Schmidt, George Brett, and
Chipper Jones.
Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Scott Rolen!
I'm always happy when one of my non HOF PC guys gets put in. This time two of them did.
ReplyDeleteSuper happy for Rolen and his fans.
ReplyDeleteScott Rolen? The HOF is now officially the Hall of Very Good. (Although that really happened when they let Harold Baines in.)
ReplyDeleteBig fan of Rolen, just didn't think he was HOF worthy. Fun post!
ReplyDeleteI never saw him play much, so I have no idea whether he's Hall worthy or not. I have seen some pretty neat cards of his over the years though, lots of action shots; which I always appreciate.
ReplyDeleteI used to have a Hats Off Acetate insert of Rolen (or, Rolen's Phillies helmet) and traded it a few years back. If I'd known he was going to be a HOFer I would have kept it :facepalm:
ReplyDelete2002 Stadium Club is one set you don't see every day.