Cooperstown, N.Y. – On Sunday, baseball legends Scott Rolen and Fred McGriff will take their rightful place in the Baseball Hall of Fame, marking a significant milestone in their careers that spanned over a decade. Let’s take a look back at their extraordinary journeys to Cooperstown.
Scott Rolen, a fierce and acrobatic defender, can be compared to modern-day star Nolan Arenado. Rolen’s exceptional defensive skills earned him an impressive eight Gold Glove awards throughout his 17-season career, placing him among the elite third basemen in history. Only Mike Schmidt, Brooks Robinson, and Arenado have won more Gold Gloves at the position. Using Baseball Reference’s Career Defensive Runs above average, Rolen ranks as the third-best defensive third baseman of all time, with only Adrián Beltré and Robinson surpassing him. Arenado, currently in his 11th season, is on track to join this esteemed group with his 149 career defensive runs above average.
During a recent Hall of Fame news conference conducted via Zoom, Rolen expressed his view on the importance of third base as an integral defensive position. His combination of outstanding defense and above-average offensive production played a crucial role in his induction. Rolen’s list of achievements tells the story of his greatness, with eight seasons of winning Gold Gloves and maintaining a 120 OPS+ at third base, a feat only surpassed by Mike Schmidt’s ten seasons.
Rolen faced some challenges in his Hall of Fame journey. In his first year on the writers’ ballot in 2018, he received 43 votes less than Manny Ramirez, garnering only 10.2 percent of the votes. However, as the ballot became less congested, Rolen’s candidacy gained significant traction. In the subsequent three elections, he witnessed a substantial surge in votes. From 2019 to 2022, his percentage soared from 17.2 to 63.2 percent. This year, in his sixth appearance on the ballot, Rolen garnered a 13 percent increase, narrowly clearing the 75-percent threshold with 76.3 percent. Rolen emerged as the only player elected by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America voters this year. In the last three elections, only Rolen and David Ortiz have surpassed the 75-percent mark. He becomes the ninth third baseman to be elected by the writers in the last 30 years, joining the likes of Chipper Jones and Wade Boggs.
Fred McGriff, known for his 493 home runs and five top-10 MVP finishes, endured a lengthy wait of almost two decades before receiving the recognition he deserves in Cooperstown. However, McGriff’s Hall of Fame candidacy was notably overshadowed by the performance-enhancing drugs era that plagued baseball, hindering his induction. During his prime years from 1988 to 2002, McGriff consistently displayed high-level performance year after year. However, the PED-ravaged sport surrounding him distorted his achievements. In the first five seasons of his career, McGriff finished in the top five in home runs and OPS in the league, indicative of his prowess in the pre-PED era. While his production remained consistent in the subsequent ten seasons, he only managed to enter the top 10 in these categories twice, as other players began hitting astronomical home run figures. McGriff’s greatness was undoubtedly obscured by the inflated numbers of players linked to PEDs.
Fortunately, with the benefit of hindsight, McGriff’s career can now be properly appreciated. He achieved several notable milestones, including hitting 30 home runs in two seasons separated by 14 years (1988 and 2002) and achieving .900 OPS seasons 13 years apart (1988 and 2001). His teams continuously trusted him as their cleanup hitter, evident in his record-breaking 1,826 games in which he occupied that spot in the lineup. Despite never coming close to being elected by the writers, McGriff’s career perfectly exemplifies the plight of clean players during the era of PEDs.
McGriff’s journey to election was unconventional. Throughout his ten years on the writers’ ballot, he failed to secure 40 percent of the vote. However, in December of last year, the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee unanimously elected him in his first year on that ballot. This committee, composed of executives, Hall of Fame players, writers, and historians, made a statement by honoring McGriff and underscoring the impact of his career, overshadowed by the PED era. The committee’s decision to elect McGriff while rejecting notable PED-associated players such as Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Rafael Palmeiro shed light on his significance and the enduring impact of playing the game with integrity.
Apart from Rolen and McGriff, other individuals received honors at the Baseball Hall of Fame ceremony. Pat Hughes, the renowned radio voice of the Chicago Cubs, was presented with the Ford Frick Award, recognizing his contributions to broadcasting. John Lowe, who covered the Detroit Tigers for 28 years at the Detroit Free Press, received the BBWAA Career Excellence Award. Lastly, pitcher Carl Erskine, a member of the fabled Boys of Summer in Brooklyn, was honored with the Buck O’Neill Lifetime Achievement Award.
Looking ahead, the 2024 Hall of Fame ballot promises excitement. Adrián Beltré’s first year of eligibility is expected to secure his election due to his impressive career statistics and exceptional defensive skills. Todd Helton, the longtime first baseman for the Colorado Rockies, is also a strong candidate after coming incredibly close to induction this year. Billy Wagner, one of the best left-handed closers in history, obtained an impressive 68.1 percent of the votes in this year’s election, positioning him as a potential inductee. Several other notable names, including Joe Mauer, Chase Utley, and David Wright, will make their ballot debuts, while returnees such as Andruw Jones, Gary Sheffield, and Carlos Beltrán have improved their chances of election.
The upcoming ballot will not feature any players elected by the Veterans Committee, as this year’s focus will be on managers, executives, and umpires. Umpire Joe West, who recently retired, is one to keep an eye on in this category.
As Scott Rolen and Fred McGriff ascend to their rightful places in the Baseball Hall of Fame, their induction serves as a reminder of their extraordinary contributions to the game and their resilience in the face of challenges.