Tuesday night marked a special achievement for one of the best third basemen in baseball history.
Scott Rolen, a 17-year veteran who won eight Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger Award, a Rookie of the Year Award, and a World Series ring, finally got the call for the Hall of Fame.
It had taken six years on the ballot for the star third baseman to get in, but it finally happened.
Rolen played most of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals, but also spent time with the Toronto Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds.
And he finds himself in some elite company for third basemen, as he is fifth all-time among players at his position in most seasons with an OPS+ of 125 or higher.
Paired with 8 Gold Gloves?
That's Hall of Famer, Scott Rolen. #HOF2023 pic.twitter.com/NoFkcKmBHW
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 25, 2023
Rolen had eight such seasons.
He is tied with Chicago Cubs legend Ron Santo and Home Run Baker.
Ahead of him on the list are Mike Schmidt, Eddie Mathews, George Brett, and Wade Boggs.
Couple that with his career accomplishments and there’s a pretty strong case as to why Rolen belongs in Cooperstown and why the writers were correct to vote him in.
He also owns a career 70.1 WAR, a .281 average, 316 home runs, 2,077 hits, an on-base percentage of .364, a slugging percentage of .490, and an OPS of .855.
His career 122 OPS+ also helps his case.
Now, Rolen can look back at a legendary career, one that included some very dominant seasons along the way.
He’ll join Fred McGriff at the induction ceremony on July 23 in Cooperstown.
