(Cooperstown) The greatest moment of Scott Rolen’s 17-year career was not winning the 2006 World Series with St. Louis.
For Rolen, one of two players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, the honor was reserved for an unexpected moment with his parents after he was drafted to play in his first major league game in 1996.
“Watching my mom and dad walk to their seats from my position at third base was an experience unmatched in my 17 professional years,” Rolen said during his 16-minute speech.
It took six attempts, but Rolen’s parents, Ed and Linda, were finally able to see their son earn his bronze Hall of Fame plaque. He was joined by Fred McGriff, who was unanimously elected by members of the Contemporary Era Committee in December after losing his last chance in the 2020 reporters’ poll.
Rolen was the only player to receive more than 75% of the votes needed to be inducted. He received 297 votes (76.3%) from the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) in January. The year before, he had won 63.2% of the vote.
“I am grateful for this great gesture,” said Rolen. At no point in my life did I think I would be on that stage. »
Rolen, an Indiana high school multisport athlete, received an offer to play Division I college basketball before the Phillies drafted him straight out of his high school in the second round of the 1993 draft.
The third baseman spent six of his 17 seasons with the Cardinals, earning four of his seven All-Star selections and three of his eight Golden Gloves.
Rolen hit . 281 with 316 home runs and 1,287 RBI in 2,038 games. 421 in the 2006 World Series, helping the Cardinals defeat the Detroit Tigers in five games.
Rolen credited his parents for the values they instilled in him.
“I wasn’t raised to be a Major League Baseball player,” he said. I was raised to be honest, work hard, be responsible for my words and actions, and treat people with kindness and respect. »
McGriff, who joined Rolen onstage, made a point of shaking hands with virtually all 50 Hall of Famers who shook hands with him.
“I am honored to stand before you and now be a part of this fellowship,” McGriff said during his 20-minute speech. When your career is validated by former players and former coaches who have seen you play, you couldn’t ask for more. »
The lanky first baseman was selected in the ninth round by the New York Yankees in the 1981 draft.
McGriff hit . 284 with 493 home runs and 1,550 RBI in 2,460 games over 19 major league seasons. He played for six teams, was a five-time All-Star selection, and helped the Atlanta Braves win the World Series in 1995.
Columnists’ poll players who fell short this year include Todd Helton (72.2%), Billy Wagner (68.1%), Andruw Jones (58.1%), Gary Sheffield (55%), Carlos Beltrán (46.5%), Jeff Kent (46.5%), Alex Rodriguez (35.7%), Manny Ramirez (33.2%), Omar Vizquel (19.5%), Andy Pettitte (17%), Bobby Abreu (1.5%), 4%), Jimmy Rollins (12.9%), Mark Buehrle (10.8%), Francisco Rodriguez (10.8%) and Torii Hunter (6.9%).
Three other people were honored during the Hall of Fame weekend. Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Carl Erskine received the Buck O’Neil Trophy for his lifetime achievements. Longtime Tigers reporter John Lowe won the BBWAA Lifetime Achievement Award, while Chicago Cubs radio reporter Pat Hughes won the Ford C. Frick Trophy.
