When the 2024 Baseball Hall of Fame voting outcomes were revealed, much attention centered on the renowned Philadelphia Phillies second baseman, Chase Utley, which is justified. However, as highlighted by a former player and manager, the absence of another former Phillies superstar may be even more notable.
In his third year on the ballot, shortstop Jimmy Rollins secured 14.8 percent of the votes, sufficient to remain on the ballot for another year but far from the required 75 percent for induction.
Former manager Larry Bowa expressed his opinion on X, previously known as Twitter, asserting that the voting writers are making a mistake regarding the fellow shortstop. Bowa, having spent the majority of his 16-year career at shortstop, possesses insights into consistently playing the position at a high level. Furthermore, having managed Rollins from 2001 to 2004, Bowa personally witnessed Rollins’ work ethic and on-field performance.
Examining Jimmy Rollins’ statistics reveals a compelling Hall of Fame case. The switch-hitting middle infielder enjoyed a 17-year career, with 15 of those years spent with the Phillies. His career concluded with a batting average of .264, an on-base percentage of .324, and a slugging percentage of .418. Throughout his career, he tallied 1,421 runs, 2,455 hits, 231 home runs, 936 RBIs, 470 stolen bases, 813 walks, and 1,264 strikeouts.
Rollins demonstrated durability by accumulating 10,240 plate appearances across 2,275 games over the 17 seasons. In 50 playoff games, he posted a slash line of .246/.308/.364 with 27 runs, 48 hits, three home runs, and 15 RBIs.
According to FanGraphs, his career WAR stands at 49.6, while Baseball Reference reports a 47.6 WAR. Additionally, Rollins exhibited plate control with a 12.3 strikeout percentage, lower than the league average of 18.1 percent during his 17 seasons.
On the basepaths, Rollins showcased exceptional speed, turning hits into extra bases with 115 triples. His stolen base percentage of 81.7 ranks 44th among all MLB players.
Beyond offensive prowess, Rollins excelled defensively. His 98.3 fielding percentage is the fourth-best in the position’s history, and his 19,513 2/3 innings at shortstop rank seventh. Moreover, his 6,139 assists are the 20th most, trailing Bowa, who ranks ninth on the list by 718.
While there are concerns about Utley’s Hall of Fame case due to longevity, Rollins, with his consistent performance, doesn’t face the same worries. Throughout his 15 years with the Phillies (2000-2014), Rollins ranked among the best shortstops, with a WAR of 48.9, trailing only Álex Rodríguez and Derek Jeter, according to FanGraphs.
Despite some metrics working against him, such as a JAWS of 40.1 (34th among shortstops), Rollins has gained momentum in Hall of Fame votes each year, reaching 14.8 percent in 2024. Considering his power, speed, defense, and consistency, Bowa’s assertion that Rollins deserves Hall of Fame recognition appears reasonable.
Philly fans recognize Rollins as the heart and soul of the team during their five straight playoff appearances from 2007 to 2011. Rollins himself believes he deserves induction, expressing his awareness of the Hall of Fame since childhood and his commitment to excellence for those who didn’t have the opportunity to play Major League Baseball.
The 2007 NL MVP, three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, and one-time Silver Slugger will await another year to see if more voters recognize and appreciate his significant contributions to the sport for his induction.
