Phillies legend rips HOF voters over lack of support for Jimmy Rollins

Jimmy Rollins. Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

Phillies legend bashes HOF voters over lack of support for former SS Jimmy Rollins

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 1/25/24

In his third try, former Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins wasn't among those elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, it wasn't only the snub that angered another of the franchise's legends, but the lack of support he received from voters, only 14 percent.

Shortly after it became clear that Rollins wasn't on the Hall of Fame list, Larry Bowa, former Phillies All-Star and Manager of the Year, took voters to task on social media.

Been in baseball for over 50 years and I’ve seen a lot of great shortstops. I can’t believe that Jimmy Rollins only received 14% of the vote on his 2nd HOF ballot. His body of work speaks for itself. Jimmy is a HOF shortstop.
— Larry Bowa (@LarryBowa10) January 25, 2024

Bowa has spent more than a half-century in baseball, playing alongside and coaching several Hall of Fame players. So, he might have a little insight into who is and isn't worthy. Yet, he might also be showing bias, as a longtime Phillie himself who played the same position as Rollins and managed him, too.

The Hall of Fame is an inexact science. A player can reach parameters that make them a shoo-in, but those instances are largely fleeting, as seen by this year's first-ballot inductees, Joe Mauer and Adrian Beltre. Both were great players, but not many would've argued only a few years ago that they deserved getting in on the first try.

With the Hall seemingly evolving with the times, Rollins should have more to show than 14 percent of the vote, and the numbers back it up.

Over a 17-year career, Rollins won an MVP Award (2007) and was a Silver Slugger while earning four Gold Gloves and three All-Star selections. Furthermore, regardless of position, he's one of only six players among the top 50 in stolen bases and top 100 in extra-base hits all-time, per Stathead. The others, excluding Barry Bonds for obvious reasons, are all enshrined in Cooperstown, including Ty Cobb, Rickey Henderson, Paul Molitor and Honus Wagner.

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