10 Years Ago This Summer

Chase Utley (above) and Jimmy Rollins (below), seen on August 24th, 2014, are in their 10th and final season as the Phillies middle infield combination.  And this year, for the first time, both are on the Hall of Fame ballot.

Teammates for five consecutive NL East champs, a run highlighted by the 2008 World victory over the Rays, they hope to join such legendary 2nd base/shortstop duos as the Dodgers' Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese; Nellie Fox and Luis Aparicio (White Sox); and Joe Gordon and Phil Rizzuto (Yankees) in Cooperstown.

It's easy to check their stats (just click the links under their names).  But leadership and attitude are never as easy to evaluate.  As the gritty heart and soul of the Phillies lineup during the franchise's most successful five-year period, Utley and Rollins check off the boxes for me.

The members of the BBWA made the decision.  We'll learn who gets this year's call to the Hall on January 23rd. 

My images of Utley and Rollins were taken at a Phillies/Cardinals game in Philadelphia on August 24th, 2014.

Comments

Kimmi said…
Great post, Mike!

For me, Rollins comes up a bit short. Utley will make it in my book, but not in his first year (which I concur with).

He's not a first ballot HOF. Beltre does qualify and I would be fine with Mauer making it as well.

January 12, 2024 at 9:54 AM
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