Scott Rolen: Hall of Famer?

[Dick Whitman]

I had never really thought about him as one, but Baseball Prospectus, which just arrived this week, states it matter-of-factly in their Rolen capsule, that he has already "done enough to earn enshrinement in Cooperstown."

Here's some raw numbers: Eight Gold Gloves, .498 slugging percentage, 303 home runs.

BP mentions that third basemen are severely underrepresented in Cooperstown, which is true.

Is Rolen worthy? To me, he feels like a guy who fell a couple great seasons short, but maybe I'm not realizing how great a third basemen he was in his prime. Is he Brooks Robinson?

 

[Steak Snabler]

He's not Brooks Robinson (who might be the best defensive player in baseball history, at any position). But it's hard to say Rolen's not one of the top 10-15 third basemen of all-time.

To me, though, he still has to wait in line behind A-Rod and Chipper Jones among third basemen of his era.

 

[mb]

Do they have a Piece of **** Wing?

 

[Steak Snabler]

Outing alert! mb is Larry Bowa.

 

[Bubbler]

My immediate reaction is **** no.

 

[dooley_womack1]

Unless Baseball Prospectus has 75 percent of the votes, no way

 

[Shaggy]

Possible. But Chipper Jones and ARod runs circles around him.

Rolen had 8 really good seasons in his 20s. His injury problems have really screwed up his 30s.

I don't think he's done quite enough yet, but his career isn't over.

 

[RickStain]

I'm going with "no" despite the lack of third basemen. He's close because of that, but he doesn't have the peak or the longevity, and you have to have one or the other.

But it's funny how the "Defense is so important, statheads don't get that" stuff goes away when a guy comes up that 1) is unlikeable and 2) statheads say added a ton of defensive value.

 

[outofplace]

The lack of third basemen is irrelevant, or at least it should be. Rolen belongs in the Hall of Very Good.

 

[shockey]

The lack of third basemen is irrelevant, or at least it should be. Rolen belongs in the Hall of Very Good.

yup.

 

[NickMordo]

Rolen is the classic tweener, a good but great player. Throw out home runs because those don't have as much a say in HOF consideration as 10, 20 years ago.

 

[Starman]

If he were to retire now, no.

If he has 3 more years of declining performance until he's out of baseball -- a very common pattern for 35-year-old players -- no.

If he has 2-3 more decent years including one very good one -- probably yes.
(Although these days any 35+ player having a sudden resurgence in performance is likely to face a lot of skepticism.)

 

[doogie448]

Two words: Ron Santo.

 

[jackfinarelli]

No way!

 

[JC]

The lack of third basemen is irrelevant, or at least it should be. Rolen belongs in the Hall of Very Good.

If you are not comparing him to other third basemen who do you compare him to?

 

[Johnny Dangerously]

If the Hall of Very Good is for those who don't make the cut, then shouldn't Cooperstown be the home of the Hall of Great?

I always think of this when people use that argument. It's the Hall of Fame.

And no, I'm not saying he belongs. Just one of my many quirks.

 

[rpmmutant]

Scott Rolen = Troy Glaus. Both really good players, but not quite Hall of Famers. Chipper Jones is the bar for this generation of third basemen. A-Rod is the only one who surpasses it, and he played shortstop for the greater part of his career. David Wright might be of HOFer one day. Ryan Zimmerman might one day too. He needs to be on a better team though.

 

[outofplace]

The lack of third basemen is irrelevant, or at least it should be. Rolen belongs in the Hall of Very Good.

If you are not comparing him to other third basemen who do you compare him to?

Every other hitter. You want to give him an edge over a first baseman or an outfielder due to his position? Ok. I can see that. But to say you have to lower the standard for a third baseman because there aren't enough in there is bull****.

 

[RickStain]

That's fair. It's not that he should be in to add to the cosmic balance between the positions. It's just that the shortage of 3B shows how undervalued the position has been. Many great offensive 1b or corner OF with similar total value to a guy like Rolen has gotten in.

 

[Mark2010]

Rolen not a Hall of Famer, IMO. Chipper Jones? Yes.