Scott Rolen
Encyclopedia
Scott Bruce Rolen is a Major League Baseball
third base
man for the Cincinnati Reds
. He is an eight-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time All-Star
.
in the 2nd round of the 1993
amateur draft, Rolen reached the majors in 1996
. In the next season, he was named National League
Rookie of the Year
, becoming the first Phillie since Dick Allen
in to win the award. In 1998 he won his first of eight Gold Glove awards. Only Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson
(16) and Mike Schmidt
(10) have more at third base. Rolen was supposed to be one of the key pieces in the Phillies revival. However, claiming that management was not trying hard enough to win, Rolen demanded a trade. On July 29, 2002, Philadelphia traded Rolen and Doug Nickle
to the St. Louis Cardinals
for Plácido Polanco
, Mike Timlin
, and Bud Smith
. Later that year, he received an eight-year deal worth $90 million.
Rolen's season was arguably one of his best to that point. For much of the season, he led the National League in RBIs, often ranked among the league leaders in most offensive statistics, and had the highest vote total of any player for the All-Star Game
. Despite being injured for the last stretch of the season, he finished the year with a career-high .314 batting average
, 34 home run
s, and 124 RBIs. He finished fourth in the National League MVP voting. Rolen, along with Albert Pujols
and Jim Edmonds
earned the nickname "MV3" for their phenomenal 2004 seasons. The 2004 Cardinals won the National League Central Division with 105 wins. Rolen's two-run home run in the 6th inning of game 7 of the NLCS
won the National League pennant for St. Louis by defeating the Astros in 7 games. However, the Boston Red Sox
swept the Cardinals in four games to win the 2004 World Series
.
On May 10, 2005, Rolen injured his shoulder in a collision with Dodgers first baseman Hee-Seop Choi
and was placed on the disabled list two days later. He was expected to be out 4–6 weeks. On May 13, he underwent shoulder surgery; an additional MRI revealed a tear in the labrum. He eventually opted to have surgery on his shoulder, rather than attempt to let it heal on its own and return for the playoffs. He finally returned to full-time duties in 2006, a year in which Rolen was one of six nominees for the National League Comeback Player of the Year award. He finished 2006 hitting .292, hitting 22 home runs and 95 RBI. Rolen and the Cardinals won the 2006 World Series
over the Detroit Tigers.
The next year, however, Rolen faced more injury woes. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on August 31, 2007 because of his recurring left shoulder problems. On September 11, Rolen had season-ending shoulder surgery "for the removal of scar tissue and a bursectomy and a manipulation of his left (non-throwing) shoulder", according to a release from the team.
On January 12, 2008, the Cardinals reached a preliminary deal to send Rolen to the Toronto Blue Jays
for Troy Glaus
. On January 14, the deal became finalized when both players passed physicals.
Rolen suffered a non-displaced fracture of his right middle finger
during fielding drills at spring training
. His fingernail was also torn off. As a result, Rolen missed the first 3–5 weeks of the regular season, having surgery to insert a screw
in his broken finger. Marco Scutaro
was the Jays' third baseman
in Rolen's place. On April 25, 2008, Rolen was activated from the 15-day disabled list. Two days later, against the Kansas City Royals
, he hit his first home run as a Blue Jay.
After coming off another stint in the DL in late August, this time for his shoulder, he modified his batting stance by lowering his shoulders and arms by six inches, enabling him to reestablish his offensive power for the season's final month and hitting a couple of home runs at the comfort of less strain on the shoulder, which he had three prior surgeries to correct. He finished the year with a .262 batting average, 11 home runs and 50 RBI.
, Josh Roenicke
and Zach Stewart. During the 2010 season, Rolen regularly started at third. His performance helped the Reds win the Central Division that year, their first division championship in 15 seasons. Rolen also won his eighth Gold Glove as a member of the Reds, the third team with which he received the award.
A middle-of-the-order hitter throughout his career, Rolen has a career .282 batting average as well as a .366 on-base percentage and a .495 slugging percentage. He has 2,002 Hits
, 308 home runs, and 1,247 RBIs, as well as having scored 1,185 runs
(as of July 10, 2011). On June 15, 2011, he became the third third baseman ever to have 2,000 hits, 500 doubles, 300 home runs, and 1,200 RBI, along with George Brett
and Chipper Jones
.
and Holmes Beach, Florida
. Rolen and his wife Nikki have two children: a daughter, Raine Tyler, and a son, Finn Edward.
Rolen was offered a basketball scholarship to play for Eddie Sutton
at Oklahoma State University but rejected the offer. He was also offered a scholarship at the University of Georgia
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
man for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. He is an eight-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
.
Philadelphia Phillies
Drafted by the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in the 2nd round of the 1993
1993 in sports
1993 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Marc Girardelli, Luxembourg** Women's overall season champion: Anita Wachter, Austria-American football:...
amateur draft, Rolen reached the majors in 1996
1996 in sports
1996 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Lasse Kjus, Norway** Women's overall season champion: Katja Seizinger, Germany-American football:...
. In the next season, he was named National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Rookie of the Year
MLB Rookie of the Year Award
In Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is annually given to one player from each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America . The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946...
, becoming the first Phillie since Dick Allen
Dick Allen
Richard Anthony Allen is a former Major League Baseball player and R&B singer. He played first and third base and outfield in Major League Baseball and ranked among his sport's top offensive producers of the 1960s and early 1970s...
in to win the award. In 1998 he won his first of eight Gold Glove awards. Only Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson
Brooks Robinson
Brooks Calbert Robinson, Jr. is a former American professional baseball player. He played his entire 23-year major league career for the Baltimore Orioles . Nicknamed "The Human Vacuum Cleaner", he is generally acclaimed as the greatest defensive third-basemen in major league history...
(16) and Mike Schmidt
Mike Schmidt
Michael Jack Schmidt is a Hall of Fame third baseman popularly considered among the greatest third basemen in the history of Major League Baseball. He played his entire career for the Philadelphia Phillies....
(10) have more at third base. Rolen was supposed to be one of the key pieces in the Phillies revival. However, claiming that management was not trying hard enough to win, Rolen demanded a trade. On July 29, 2002, Philadelphia traded Rolen and Doug Nickle
Doug Nickle
Douglas Alan "Doug" Nickle is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He was born in Sonoma, California. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Diego Padres of the National League during his Major League Baseball career. Nickle attended the University of California where he...
to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for Plácido Polanco
Plácido Polanco
Plácido Enrique Polanco is a Major League Baseball player who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies and has also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers. He is a third baseman, but in the past has played second base and shortstop...
, Mike Timlin
Mike Timlin
-Early life:Timlin was born in Midland, Texas to Jerome Francis Timlin Sr. and Nancy Sharon Beyer. Timlin graduated from Midland High School in Midland, Texas. He then attended and pitched at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta.-Baseball career...
, and Bud Smith
Bud Smith
Robert Allan "Bud" Smith is a retired American baseball player. Smith was active at the Major League level in 2001 and 2002, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.- No-hitter and Major League career :...
. Later that year, he received an eight-year deal worth $90 million.
St. Louis Cardinals
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
. Despite being injured for the last stretch of the season, he finished the year with a career-high .314 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, 34 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, and 124 RBIs. He finished fourth in the National League MVP voting. Rolen, along with Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
and Jim Edmonds
Jim Edmonds
James Patrick "Jim" Edmonds is a former American Major League Baseball center fielder. He played for the California/Anaheim Angels, the St. Louis Cardinals, the San Diego Padres, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Chicago Cubs, and the Cincinnati Reds...
earned the nickname "MV3" for their phenomenal 2004 seasons. The 2004 Cardinals won the National League Central Division with 105 wins. Rolen's two-run home run in the 6th inning of game 7 of the NLCS
2004 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 13, 2004 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MissouriThe series opener at St. Louis' Busch Stadium was a slugfest involving four homers, 17 runs, and 22 hits, eventually won by St. Louis, 10–7. Houston struck the first blow of the series when Carlos Beltrán hit a two-run home...
won the National League pennant for St. Louis by defeating the Astros in 7 games. However, the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
swept the Cardinals in four games to win the 2004 World Series
2004 World Series
The 2004 World Series was the Major League Baseball championship series for the 2004 season. It was the 100th World Series and featured the American League champions, the Boston Red Sox, against the National League champions, the St. Louis Cardinals...
.
On May 10, 2005, Rolen injured his shoulder in a collision with Dodgers first baseman Hee-Seop Choi
Hee-Seop Choi
Hee-Seop Choi is a professional baseball player who has played in the MLB for the Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is a first baseman who bats and throws left-handed. Choi currently plays for the Kia Tigers in the South Korean pro baseball league.-Amateur career:Choi...
and was placed on the disabled list two days later. He was expected to be out 4–6 weeks. On May 13, he underwent shoulder surgery; an additional MRI revealed a tear in the labrum. He eventually opted to have surgery on his shoulder, rather than attempt to let it heal on its own and return for the playoffs. He finally returned to full-time duties in 2006, a year in which Rolen was one of six nominees for the National League Comeback Player of the Year award. He finished 2006 hitting .292, hitting 22 home runs and 95 RBI. Rolen and the Cardinals won the 2006 World Series
2006 World Series
The 2006 World Series, the 102nd edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, began on October 21 and ended on October 27, and matched the American League champion Detroit Tigers against the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals won the Series in five games, taking...
over the Detroit Tigers.
The next year, however, Rolen faced more injury woes. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on August 31, 2007 because of his recurring left shoulder problems. On September 11, Rolen had season-ending shoulder surgery "for the removal of scar tissue and a bursectomy and a manipulation of his left (non-throwing) shoulder", according to a release from the team.
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
for Troy Glaus
Troy Glaus
Troy Edward Glaus is a Major League Baseball first baseman and third baseman who is currently a free agent. Previously, Glaus played with the Anaheim Angels , Arizona Diamondbacks , Toronto Blue Jays , St. Louis Cardinals , and the Atlanta Braves . Glaus lettered in baseball while attending UCLA...
. On January 14, the deal became finalized when both players passed physicals.
Rolen suffered a non-displaced fracture of his right middle finger
Middle finger
The middle finger or long finger is the third digit of the human hand, located between the index finger and the ring finger. It is usually the longest finger...
during fielding drills at spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. His fingernail was also torn off. As a result, Rolen missed the first 3–5 weeks of the regular season, having surgery to insert a screw
Screw
A screw, or bolt, is a type of fastener characterized by a helical ridge, known as an external thread or just thread, wrapped around a cylinder. Some screw threads are designed to mate with a complementary thread, known as an internal thread, often in the form of a nut or an object that has the...
in his broken finger. Marco Scutaro
Marco Scutaro
Marcos Hernandez "Marco" Scutaro is a Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. A native of Yaracuy State, Venezuela, Scutaro formerly played with the New York Mets , Oakland Athletics and the Toronto Blue Jays...
was the Jays' third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
in Rolen's place. On April 25, 2008, Rolen was activated from the 15-day disabled list. Two days later, against the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, he hit his first home run as a Blue Jay.
After coming off another stint in the DL in late August, this time for his shoulder, he modified his batting stance by lowering his shoulders and arms by six inches, enabling him to reestablish his offensive power for the season's final month and hitting a couple of home runs at the comfort of less strain on the shoulder, which he had three prior surgeries to correct. He finished the year with a .262 batting average, 11 home runs and 50 RBI.
Cincinnati Reds
On July 31, 2009, Rolen was traded to the Cincinnati Reds along with cash considerations for Edwin EncarnacionEdwin Encarnación
Edwin Elpidio Encarnación , is a Dominican Republic Major League Baseball utility player with the Toronto Blue Jays. The 6 ft 2 in, 235-pound Encarnación bats and throws right-handed....
, Josh Roenicke
Josh Roenicke
Joshua James Roenicke is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball.-Career:...
and Zach Stewart. During the 2010 season, Rolen regularly started at third. His performance helped the Reds win the Central Division that year, their first division championship in 15 seasons. Rolen also won his eighth Gold Glove as a member of the Reds, the third team with which he received the award.
A middle-of-the-order hitter throughout his career, Rolen has a career .282 batting average as well as a .366 on-base percentage and a .495 slugging percentage. He has 2,002 Hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 308 home runs, and 1,247 RBIs, as well as having scored 1,185 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
(as of July 10, 2011). On June 15, 2011, he became the third third baseman ever to have 2,000 hits, 500 doubles, 300 home runs, and 1,200 RBI, along with George Brett
George Brett (baseball)
George Howard Brett , nicknamed "Mullet", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman, designated hitter, and first baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Kansas City Royals. Brett's 3,154 career hits are the most by any third baseman in major league history, and 15th...
and Chipper Jones
Chipper Jones
Larry Wayne "Chipper" Jones, Jr. is a Major League baseball player for the National League's Atlanta Braves. Although initially a shortstop, he has spent most of his career as the starting third baseman for the Braves...
.
Charity work
In 1999, Rolen created The Enis Furley Foundation (named after one of Rolen's dogs), wanting to help children and their families who struggle with illness, hardship, or other special needs. The scope of the foundation was intentionally left broad to give the flexibility to respond to a wide range of personal circumstances. Externally, the Enis Furley Foundation is active in community outreach programs, "Hot Corner Kids", and the construction of outdoor retreats, such as "Camp Emma Lou" (named after another one of Rolen's dogs. Rolen's goals for his charity efforts are simple "To have fun, have a blast. Let's play."Milestones
- On September 15, 2006, Rolen set a personal record for RBIs in a game with 7 in a 14–4 win against the San Francisco Giants, hitting 2 home runs.
- He played in his 1,500th game (5,480 ABs) on August 22, 2007.
- He hit his 300th career home run on June 28, 2010.
- He hit his 2,000 career hit on July 4, 2011.
Awards
- 1997 NL Rookie of the Year
- 8-time National League 3B Gold Glove Award (1998, 2000–04, 2006, 2010)
- 7-time National League All-Star (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011)
- National League Silver Slugger (2002)
Private life
Rolen currently splits his time between residences in Bloomington, IndianaBloomington, Indiana
Bloomington is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County in the southern region of the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 80,405 at the 2010 census....
and Holmes Beach, Florida
Holmes Beach, Florida
Holmes Beach is a city on Anna Maria Island in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The population was 4,966 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 5,100. It is part of the Bradenton–Sarasota–Venice Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. Rolen and his wife Nikki have two children: a daughter, Raine Tyler, and a son, Finn Edward.
Rolen was offered a basketball scholarship to play for Eddie Sutton
Eddie Sutton
Eddie Sutton is an American former college head coach with 36 years of Division I basketball coaching experience at Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma State , and the University of San Francisco...
at Oklahoma State University but rejected the offer. He was also offered a scholarship at the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball players with 400 doubles
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBIs
- List of Major League Baseball players with a .500 slugging percentage