January 25, 2023

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Over the years, we have seen a lot of strike throwers.

Nolan Ryan threw the most. He had 5,714 strikeouts in his career.

We saw Roger Clemens, Steve Carlton and Tom Seaver, too.

One of the best strike throwers we ever saw played third base for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2008-09. It didn’t matter if he dove to his right, or his left, charged and bare-handed a slow roller, falling off balance or sitting on his butt he would throw ... and first baseman Lyle Overbay was catching a strike.

The 6-foot-4, 245 pounder was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown on Tuesday. Rolen made it by five votes (76.3% of the electorate). In 2018, he made his debut garnering only 10.2% in his first ballot appearance, the lowest first-ballot percentage of a player ever elected.

As Bill Mazeroski told me decades ago when I asked him if he was bothered that he was inducted by the veteran’s committee after not being elected by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

“In is in,” Mazeroski said.

Only made it by five votes?

In is in.

Lowest total his first year on the ballot?

In is in.

Rolen also saved runs and knocked in runs for the Philadelphia Phillies, where he was the unanimous National League rookie of the year in 1997, St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds. Overbay wasn’t the only first baseman not required to move his glove when Rolen threw whether it be Rico Brogna, Pat Burrell, Travis Lee, Tino Martinez, Albert Pujols, Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.), Overbay and their back-ups.

Rolen was similar to Mike Mussina, who had 2,813 strikeouts in his career. Both were elected in their sixth year eligible. Rolen has 4,081 assists -- most of them strikes -- and 186 errors. We remember an ump, a couple of days after working the plate in which both teams walked men in double figures, the man in blue behind the plate telling me “it’s easier working first base ... every throw from Rolen is right there ... a steeee-rike.”

Luis Aparicio, Gary Carter, Mickey Cochrane, Frankie Frisch, Charlie Gehringer, Paul Waner and Billy Williams also were elected on their sixth try.

* * *

After his election Rolen said that base-running showed “the character” of a ball player. Don’t run the ball out. Veer off before you get to first. Not being wise enough to anticipate going first to third. Failing to recognize the next pitch might be in the dirt.

Bad. Bad. Bad. All bad character traits. It isn’t asking a lot, as scouts say, for expect a player to run hard for 90 feet. It’s a long way from hitting the wall at “Heartbreak Hill in the Boston Marathon.”

1B Votto spent four seasons as Rolen’s teammate in Cincinnati.

“Scott has a reputation for being a very good defensive player,” Votto said. “However, I remember him being a special base runner an excellent leader, a dependable player and a very good hitter. When I played with Scott, he was not in his prime, however, he was still one of the best players in the National League, and garnered two All-Star selections.

“In my opinion, Scott is the type of player that belongs in the Hall of Fame. Although he did not lead the league in an offensive category, or have a reputation for being an offensive dynamo, he affected the game in every way you can as a player. He had zero weaknesses, he played with a style that made people come to the game, and take in his athleticism. He is the type of player that I would pay to watch. Fortunately, I had the best seat in the house, and got to take in his excellence on a daily basis.”

Votto was the first I ever heard openly lobby that Rolen belongs in Cooperstown when Votto was inducted into the Etobicoke Hall of Fame in 2014. Rolen did not appear on the ballot until 2018.

* * *

How special was Rolen?

Well, when he played for the Jays he rented a skybox at the Rogers Centre for his parents, Linda and Ed, so they could watch from on high. He rented an Oakville condo for his parents, who saw more than 100 games in 2008-09 season.

And Tuesday night after the call came, the father hugged his son and Cal cried on Scott’s shoulder.

How special was the Rolen family?

Scott was at home in Bradenton, Fla., on Monday, Sept. 10, 2001 after going 2-for-4 with four RBIs in a 12-6 win at Montreal. His parents drove him to the Tampa airport the next morn so he could re-join the Phillies for a game in Atlanta. Then, the world changed. The World Trade Centre towers came down. All flights were cancelled. So his parents drove him to Atlanta.

After the game in Atlanta was scrapped, his parents drove him to Cincinnati where the Phillies were supposed to play the Reds. Then, all of the industry shut down.

Rolen phoned his brother in mid-September of 2011 and, in December, Todd resigned as a teacher to work at his brother’s foundation. The third baseman decided to name the foundation, Enis Furley, after his golden retriever/pointer mix. Enis was big-time, appearing in a Phillies TV add fetching a ball at Veterans Stadium.

“The camp is for the kid walking home from school, head down, kicking stones,” Rolen said. “He may be healthy, but maybe mom is sick, or his father. It’s for kids who have spent too much time in the hospital.”

Enis died at age 13 at Camp Emma Lou, the camp was renamed after Rolen’s black lab. Now, it’s camp E5. That is so Rolen ... as the kids would say.

* * *

How special is Rolen?

Rolen invited seven-year-old Tyler Frenzel of Carmel, Ind., to Busch Stadium for batting practice after the youngster had been diagnosed with leukemia in 2004. Tyler had a few good months, then a bad turn, so Rolen went for a visit.

“We’re playing a video game, he made me be myself ... he was Randy Johnson, who threw this pitch with flames coming off the ball,” Rolen said. “He struck me out three times on nine pitches. Tyler.”

In 2004, Tyler, who was terminal, was invited to the gala fund-raiser for the foundation. Introduced as “this year’s hero,” Tyler came to accept his award. Tyler presented Rolen with a $1,000 cheque foundation.

“What do you say to that?” Rolen asked. No idea. The writer couldn’t answer. Couldn’t speak.

Tyler raised the dough selling T-shirts that read ‘No Limits’ and told Rolen that he wanted it to go towards building a tree house at the camp. A few months later, Tyler was on the field before at an Indianapolis Colts game for the ceremonial coin flip and told Peyton Manning “Scott Rolen is building me a tree house.”

Manning phoned Rolen and together they staged an auction on a morning show. The result? “A $150,000 tree house in our woods,” Rolen said, “all because of Tyler.”

Rolen’s wife, Nicki, was eight months pregnant when Tyler died in 2004. Soon after, Raine Tyler, arrived.

Now they have four cabins named after the Phillies, Cardinals, Jays and Reds.

* * *

How special was Rolen.

“This game, it isn’t real,” Rolen said. “The game has given me great value in my personal life. It’s like I always tell Joey Votto. There’s no karma in baseball: Bad guys can do well in this game. You can be happy in this game and not be happy in life.

“Would you rather be 4-for-4 with, two home runs and knock in six and be divorced? Or would you rather go home to your family?”

* * *

In a 2018 Globe and Mail article, Gibbons named Rolen his all-time favourite player during his time with the Jays. That was a surprise since Gibbons only managed Rolen for 73 games in 2008. And on a June morning in Pittsburgh, Gibbons was fired by J.P. Ricciardi. He was replaced by Cito Gaston 2.0.

Gibbons managed 11 years and 1,582 games (793-789, .501) before he became an author, podcaster and an internet celeb. That’s hundreds of names on a lineup card. Why did he pick Rolen in 2008, his final year?

“I had goose bumps when George Poulis (former Blue Jays trainer, now with the Atlanta Braves) phoned and told me what Gibbons said that,” said Rolen, leaving an Indiana Hooisers practice where he is a volunteer coach. “I don’t have any brilliant words to explain why we clicked, but then Gibby doesn’t have brilliant words either. We we’d sit in the dugout and talk about kids and about life.”

Rolen said his friendship with the manager, continued after he Gibbons was fired by the Jays.

“I ran into him a few times when he was coaching the Kansas City Royals,” Rolen said. “That’s the one thing about John Gibbons: You know when he is pissed, you know where you stand and you know when he isn’t. He has instant respect.”

Rolen described his manager as an “honest, humble guy,” and Rolen played for a number of high profile managers like Jim Fregosi, Terry Francona, Larry Bowa, Tony La Russa, Cito Gaston and Dusty Baker. The Gold Glove third baseman said he and Gibbons spent a lot of time together in the spring of 2008.

“I was at an age (33) where I wasn’t trying to trick anyone and he certainly wasn’t trying to trick anyone,” Rolen said. “During spring games, our ideas pretty much lined up. We had a mutual respect for the game. I had young kids. He has young kids.”

* * *

Often I would ask Rolen a question about what happened in last night’s game or what had happened that night. Usually he gave insightful answers for he was usually the wisest man in the room (whether it was the Cardinals, Jays or the Reds clubhouse never spoke to him with the Phillies).

But if he was in a hurry or saw that he was drawing a crowd he’d give a quick cliche answer -- which I would never use (example: “I thought we played well,”) and quickly bolt. Then out his way out he’d walk by and whisper “so was that vanilla enough for you?”

Rolen gave me one of the best lines a ball player ever uttered. Rolen was talking about the time Phillies’ Kevin Sefcik, Brogna and Rolen visited a terminal cancer ward at Temple University.

“We walk in with our wearing our Phillies jerseys and it was like we were wearing capes,” Rolen said in the best description of how a child sees a big-leaguer. “That’s how special the uniform is to a child. I’m sure if we walked in wearing street clothes, it wouldn’t have been the same. They were tough kids. Brave kids.”

Rolen phoned his brother Todd, a high school teacher in Louisville, with the suggestion of starting a kids foundation.

“I was wearing red pinstripes and red shoes to work every night,” Rolen explained. “What adult does that? Why not start a circus? We’ll put on clown costumes and wear big red noses.” As Rolen admitted, “our idea needed a little work.”

* * *

The Cardinals and the Jays swapped third basemen Troy Glaus for Rolen 1-for-1 deal on the night of the fifth annual Baseball Canada fundraiser. Both waived their no-trade clauses and the teams have agreed.

The reaction ...

_ Chicago Cubs RHP Ryan Dempster (Gibsons, BC): “No offence to Glaus, but outside of Mike Lowell, Rolen is probably the best fielding third baseman. We used to sit and guess how many throws in a row he could hit the first baseman in the chest. At the plate, he always gave you a tough at-bat. He can beat you the other way with a single or a homer.”

_ Colorado Rockies, former 17-game winner Jeff Frances (North Delta, BC born, living in London, Ont.): “When Glaus was with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2005), he had my number. Rolen’s a great defensive player. In St. Louis, he wasn’t always in the lineup. But I’ve seen him at his best, he’s a tough out.”

A Jays official: “We’re trading a guy who hits 30 homers for a guy who hits 20 homers, hits 30 points higher and is a much, much better fielder.”

* * *

In the spring of 2008, we headed to Jupiter, to check on former Cardinal all-star Rolen. Rolen was acquired in an off-season trade for another third baseman, Troy Glaus. What they had to say:

- Coach Hal McRae: “I saw Brooks Robinson, I saw Mike Schmidt and I played with George Brett. Rolen is the best third baseman I’ve ever seen. With us, he’d make one play a year where you’d say: ‘That’s the best play at third I’ve ever seen.’ The next year he’d give you one better. His feet are quick like a wrestler’s.”

- Yadier Molina: “Sixth inning of Game 7 of the 2004 National League championship series against the Houston Astros, we’re tied 2-2 against Roger Clemens. Rolen hits a two-run homer to left. We win.”

- Chris Carpenter: “We’re in KC in 2004 and we’re up 10-3 in the eighth when (catcher) Alberto Castillo tries to pick Scott off first. He’s safe, but Scott is mad that the guy tried to pick him with the score so one-sided. Edgar Renteria hits a ground ball over the bag at second, Rolen goes in so hard he takes out the second baseman (Tony Graffanino) and the shortstop (Angel Berroa). He throws a guy off him, gets up and runs off.”

- Closer Jason Isringhausen: “I’m not a detail guy -- like who hit the ball or what inning -- but I can remember how many times (Rolen) turned doubles into outs for me. Fans will see one ‘wow’ play a game from him.”

- Chris Duncan: “The game before he was shut down last year (left shoulder), we were in Houston. He could barely swing. He battled through a long at-bat and drove in the run that put us ahead.”

- Adam Kennedy: “I’ve never seen a guy so big move so fast.”

- Anthony Reyes: “When I came up of all the veterans he was the nicest to me, always picking you up when you were down.”

* * *

The Jays were in Minneapolis on April 13, 2009. Before we got to the park we had heard that the legendary Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas had collapsed and died in the press box at Nationals Ballpark in Washington, DC.

I waited at the door to tell Rolen the news. With tussled hair and blood shot eyes removed his sun glasses. “You heard?” I asked.

“You heard?” Rolen asked.

We nodded yes and expressed sympathies over the loss of his friend, broadcaster Kalas, 73.

“Not a good trip to Starbucks,” Rolen said. “I was out walking and a neighbor from Philadelphia phoned with the awful news.”

We saw the similar looks on face of long-time Jays employees and fans when broadcaster Tom Cheek passed. A member of the family was gone.

“Harry was a fan, a broadcaster, a living legend,” said Rolen, who played seven seasons with the Phillies. “I was thinking how many lives Harry touched and how much those people hurt right now. I can’t imagine how long a line that list would be. If you met him once you were his friend.”

We heard Harry sing Frank Sinatra’s ‘High Hopes’ after a Phillies win in St. Louis. And Harry grabbed the mike to sing it again at Citizens Bank Park after the Phillies won the World Series in 2008.

“Harry loved life, not one bad bone in his whole body,” Rolen said. “His accomplishments stand on their own. If you knew him you understood the accomplishments. My heart aches for the people of Philadelphia. He was an icon, a man of the people and that transcended everything. He was bigger than his accomplishments.”

Rolen was asked if he would play against the Twins?

“The Phillies are playing, I’ll play,” said Rolen, who went 3-for-5 and knocked in a run in an 8-6 Jays win.

Kalas joined NFL Films as a narrator in 1975 increasing his fan base. We’re unsure if everyone in Philadelphia could recognize the voice of Mike Schmidt or Dr. J (Julius Irving). Everyone knew Harry’s voice, from NFL films to the Phillies to Blue Cross and car commercials.

* * *

How special was Rolen?

His OPS-plus is the same as Hall of Famer Paul Molitor (122).

Only Brooks Robinson (15 gold gloves, 1960-75), Mike Schmidt (10, 1976-84) and Nolan Arenado (10, 2014-22) won more awards than Rolen, who won eight times (1988, 2000-04, 2006 and 2010).

Schmidt later proclaimed that Rolen was better than he was

Former manager Tony La Russa called Rolen the best defensive third baseman he had ever seen, longing for a game with 27 consecutive ground balls to third.

Rolen is one of only four third basemen in history (to appear in at least 50% of games at third base) with at least 300 home runs, 100 stolen bases and 500 doubles. The three others are Adrián Beltré, George Brett and Chipper Jones.

He is one of five third baseman with 300 homers and 100 stolen bases: Schmidt (548 homers, 174 stolen bases), Beltre (477, 121), Jones (468, 150), Brett (317, 20) and Rolen (316, 118). All are in Cooperstown and Beltre will be on the ballot next year.

A friend of mine asked me if I voted for Rolen.

“Only every year.”