By Rockin’ Reese
Welcome to Cooperstown, New York. It’s the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
Established in 1936, this three-story building has some of baseball’s most important items in the sport’s history. Whether it’s a World Series ring, images of of your favorite baseball stars, or footage & memorabilia from some great baseball movies, this building has it all.
Of course, it couldn’t be a Hall of Fame museum without having something associated with Hall of Fame inductees…right? Whether it’s Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb, Cy Young, Lou Gehrig, Cal Ripken Jr., Rickey Henderson, Ken Griffey Jr., Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Joe DiMaggio, Mike Schmidt, or Derek Jeter, some of the most iconic baseball players are in the Hall of Fame. This year, 2 more names are added to the list.
Scott Bruce Rolen from Evansville, Indiana was actually a star basketball player, when he was a teen. In fact, despite getting offers from the Oklahoma State Cowboys & the Alabama Crimson Tide, he ultimately chose to join the Georgia Bulldogs. However, fate would intervene in June 1993.
Rolen was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies. He had a difficult decision to make. In July, he would head to the Philly area, where he would start his career. After spending time in Martinsville, Virginia, Spartanburg, South Carolina, Clearwater, Florida, & Reading, Pennsylvania, Rolen finally entered Major League Baseball on August 1, 1996. In his debut, he got a hit against the St. Louis Cardinals, as the Phils would win the game 2-1.
Twenty days later, he would hit his first 2 career home runs, as part of a 6-0 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Unfortunately, Rolen couldn’t finish the season, because he was hit by a Steve Trachsel pitch that fractured his ulna. However, when he returned in 1997, he made the baseball world take notice.
With a .283 hitting average, 21 home runs, & 92 RBIs, Rolen would become “rookie of the year” for the National League. He would be the first Phillie to accomplish that feat, since Dick Allen in 1964, and the last until Ryan Howard did it in 2005. In 1998, 2000, & 2001, he would win “gold gloves”, during his time with the Phillies. However, problems with then-manager Larry Bowa and feeling a sense of apathy in the organization, Rolen wanted to be traded out of Philly.
On July 29, 2002, Rolen was traded to the Cardinals. That September, he would sign an 8-year, $90 million contract. He would win 3 more “gold gloves” in 2002-04. Rolen’s trade to St. Louis seemed like it would be a great fit, because he would go to 2 World Series, during his tenure.
He would lose in 2004 to the Boston Red Sox, but win in 2006 (when he won his last “gold glove” as Cardinal) by defeating the Detroit Tigers. After suffering some shoulder injuries in 2007, Rolen would arrive in Toronto, as the newest member of the Blue Jays. Sadly for Scott, he reinjured himself. In July 2009, Rolen was sent to Cincinnati, so he could play with the Reds.
In 2010, Rolen hit his 300th home run (ironically, off of Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick). He would help the Reds win the NL Central for the first time in 15 years and win his 8th & final “gold glove”. In July 2011, he would join Mike Schmdit, George Brett, & Chipper Jones as third basemen who at least 2,000 hits, 500 doubles, 300 home runs, & 1,200 RBIs in their careers. Scott ended his career in the 2012 NLDS, striking out in game 5 to help the San Francisco Giants be victorious. Rolen would be an all-star on 7 occasions…once with the Phillies (2002), 4 times with the Cardinals (2003-2006), & twice with the Reds (2010-2011).
Frederick Stanley McGriff from Tampa, Florida was a vendor at Tampa Stadium, as a child. In high school, scouts were looking at Dwight Gooden, but after he hit a home run off of Gooden, some scouts looked at him. Ultimately, like Rolen, Fred became a Georgia Bulldog.
After being drafted by the New York Yankees in 1981, he would be traded to the Blue Jays & spend time in their minors. In May 1986, he would move to MLB & play for the Blue Jays. When he became a full-time MLB player, he went on a 7-season run of hitting 30-plus home runs.
In 1989, McGriff became the first player who hit a homer in the SkyDome. After the 1990 season, he would be traded to the San Diego Padres. Midway through 1993, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves. In Atlanta, he would make 2 trips to the World Series. He would win in 1995, by defeating the-then Cleveland Indians (now, Guardians), while losing in 1996 to the Yankees.
In 1998, he would become an original member of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. In July 2001, he would be traded to the Chicago Cubs. He spent the 2003 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He would return to the Rays, the following season, but would be released by them in July 2004.
In 2005, he formally announced his retirement. “Crime Dog” was an all-star on 5 occasions…once with the Padres (2002), 3 times with the Braves (1994-1996)…including being the MVP of the 1994 All-Star Game, & once with the Rays (2000). In 1989 & 1992, he led the league in home runs.
Fred McGriff & Scott Rolen, thank you for your wonderful contributions. You are both deserving of this tremendous honor. Not only have you been great ambassadors in the sport of baseball, but the work that both of you perform in your respective communities has been extraordinary. Welcome to Cooperstown & may your legacies be immortal. Congratulations, Hall of Fame Class of 2003!
