The Baseball Hall of Fame finalists are set for 2024.
This year, some of the best big leaguers of the 90s and 2000s are among them. The MLBbro superstars of those eras are well represented. Torii Hunter, Brandon Phillps, Jimmy Rollins, and Gary Sheffield are among the 2024 finalists.
All of these players have had Hall of Fame moments, set franchise records and/or distinguished themselves among the best players in baseball for a decade or more.
Jimmy Rollins
Shortstop Jimmy Rollins is now on his third HOF ballot. He received 12.9% of the vote in 2023. Rollins played a terrific 16-year career with three organizations and was the 2007 NL MVP. “J-Roll” notched more than 2,000 career hits and 231 home runs.
His combination of speed, power and athleticism was the spark for one of the golden eras in Philadelphia Phillies history. In his prime, Rollins was considered a Top 10 player in the game and is easily one of the most multi-faceted second baseman to ever play the game.
A 30-30 guy, who also did 20-20-20 (homers, doubles and triples). A dynamic base runner and fielder, the 5-foot-8 shortstop won four Gold Gloves and made three All-Star teams with Philly.
The switch-hitting Rollins ranks first in Phillies history in doubles (479), at-bats (8,628) and hits (2,306). He’s also second in stolen bases (453 which is also fourth-most among active players) and total bases (3,655). He’s comfortably in the top 10 of nearly every offensive category in club history and holds the distinction of being one of 19 players in major league history with at least 400 doubles, 100 triples and 200 home runs. He also ranks among the all-time greats with 46 career leadoff homers.
For most of Rollins’ career, he would find himself overshadowed by the legendary shortstops of his era such as Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, among others.
With Derek Jeter already in the Hall of Fame and A-Rod being persecuted because of his PED affiliations, including a past suspension, Rollins is the next best option when you talk about shortstops with Hall of Fame caliber credentials.
Rollins also played in two World Series and won one in 2008. During his career, he would be most beloved by Philadelphia and become a Phillies legend.
Brandon Phillips
Other finalists for the Hall of Fame are Brandon Phillps and Torii Hunter. These two were also big-time players in their era.
This is Phillips’ first year on the ballot. “Dat Dude” Phillps had a .275 career batting average while playing for 5 organizations. Phillps also gained three All-Star selections with the Cincinnati Reds.
More than his versatility and ability to hit anywhere in the top three spots of the lineup with effectiveness, Phillips played with a swag that embodies the MLBbro.
During Phillips’ career, the second baseman would gain a silver slugger in 2011 and become a 4-time Gold Glove winner. Although he never managed to win a championship, the rest of his stats and accomplishments reflect a great career. There is no doubt that Brandon Phillips is going down as one of the great players in Reds history and an elite MLBbro second baseman.
Torii Hunter
Torii Hunter had consistency, durability and longevity, while winning nine straight Gold Gloves in centerfield and compiling 353 homers and 2,452 hits over a 19-year MLB career. This is his fourth year on the ballot and he’s once again facing some stiff competition. His 6.9 % of the ballot in 2023 was just enough to surpass the 5% needed to remain on the ballot.
Gary Sheffield
With the 2024 Hall of Fame having a lot of first-year ballots, there are also some players that have been finalists for a while. Gary Sheffield is one of them. This is Sheffield’s 10th and final year on the ballot.
Sheffield played 22 years with eight different organizations and won a World Series with the Florida Marlins. Sheffield was one of the top hitters in baseball in the 90s.
Following his retirement, he has been staying out of sight and keeping a low profile, watching his sons embark on their own baseball journey and awaiting his Hall of Fame induction.
A Hall of Fame induction will mean a lot to these former players. These finalists have made tons of history on the baseball field, but to be a part of baseball history in Cooperstown would be even better.
These MLBbros getting inducted would also add to the rich legacy of African-American baseball players and allow them a spotlight to share their unique baseball journeys with the baseball world.
According to an article from Forbes, the Phillies did not have an MLBbro on the Opening Day roster last season for the first time in 63 years. That will change this season with former Mets pitcher Taijuan Walker, and now Harrison joining the team. The last MLBbro to suit up for the Phillies as a full-time starter was outfielder Andrew McCutchen. Outfielder Roman Quinn played 79 games for the Phillies in 2022. And outfielder Darrick Hall ended up playing in 41 games this season for the Phillies. During that time, he batted .250, with nine home runs, and 16 RBI. He had an on-base percentage of .282, and a slugging percentage of .504.
Philadelphia will look to make another run back to the World Series – this time with a multi-talented Black utility player who can provide everything from hitting and baserunning to soul in the hole and a number of other positions. If the Phillies can make it back and Harrison is still on the team, he and Walker can become the first Phillies MLBbros to win a title since 2008.
Three MLBbros were on that team: Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, and Tom “Flash” Gordon. Gordon got hurt and was ruled out for the season, but still received a World Series ring.
This will be Harrison’s sixth MLB team that he’s played for during his career. The two-time All-Star is still searching for his first World Series title and will have a good opportunity to do so with the Phillies. He spent the 2022 season with the Chicago White Sox and had a solid season.
Josh Harrison Is A Versatile MLBbro Veteran
In 119 games, he hit .256 with 27 RBI and 50 runs scored. Harrison can provide value at the plate and in the field. He’s the type of player that can make an impact as a starter or a player coming off the bench. You better believe the Phillies will utilize Harrison the best way they can. The 35-year-old can still play at a high level and it’s no surprise that a team like the Phillies picked him up.
Harrison is best known for his defensive abilities at second base, but this brother can play numerous positions on the field. Last season, in addition to playing second, he played shortstop, third base, left field, and made a few relief appearances on the mound. So the Phillies will definitely find somewhere to put this Swiss Army knife. And if Harrison can put up productive numbers at the plate, it’ll be difficult to keep him out of the lineup.
The Phillies 2022 World Series appearance made the rounds on social media. Not because the Fall Classic brings in casual fans from around the world to indulge in their couple of games of baseball a year. But because for the first time since 1950, there were no MLBbros on either team’s playoff roster.
The City of Brotherly Love has been clamoring for a return to the World Series since winning the 2008 title and losing the 2009 WS to the New york Yankees. If the Phillies are able to win four of seven games from the Astros and a World Series ring, the complexion of the team and its superstars will be much different than the Phillies team that dominated baseball behind the MVP bats of two MLBbros – shortstop Jimmy Rollins and first baseman Ryan Howard. MLBBro legend Tom “Flash” Gordon was on that team, rounding out the brotherhood and showing mentorship to Phillies’ young stars
2022 Vanilla Phillies vs 2008 Philly Funksters
These Phillies are a balanced bunch with one iconic player in free agent Bryce Harper, who contributes the all-around game, heart and hustle, similar to Rollins. His battery mate Kyle Schwarber provides elite punch like Howard.
Speaking of “The Big Piece,” the 6-foot-4, 250-pound rocket launcher, former National League MVP (2008) and two-time league home-run leader, was slowed by injuries dramatically in the later part of his 13-year career.
His first eight years, however, were Hall of Fame worthy as he dominated MLB pitching and displayed historic power from his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2005 to the end of the 2011 season when Howard hit the deck between the batter’s box and first base, rupturing his Achilles and altering the course of baseball history forever.
Howards whopping five-year, $125-million extension that he signed in April of 2010, was to begin in 2012.
At the time, Big Piece was on his way to becoming a titan as one of four players to hit at least 40 home runs and have 130-plus RBIs in four straight seasons. Babe Ruth did it seven times, from 1926-32. Sammy Sosa (1998-01) and Ken Griffey Jr. (1996-99) did it four times.
Howard hit an impressive 382 dingers, but he hit 198 (60 percent) of those career home runs in a four-year span.
In his peak seasons, from 2006-2011, he was one of baseball’s all-time celebrated Black Knights. He teamed up with 2007 NL MVP and shortstop Jimmy Rollins to bless baseball with the only World Series squad the sport had seen in years that was driven by All-Star African American players.
Ryan led baseball with 58 homers and149 RBI in 2006, In 2007, he delivered 47 homers with 136 RBI, and in 2008 he crushed another MLB-leading 48 homers while leading the Phillies to their first World Series title since 1980. In 2009, his last healthy year as a player, he pounded another 45 homers.
The emergence of Howard (whose colossal presence, power and gentleman-like dominance likens him to 2014 HOF inductee Frank “Big Hurt” Thomas ) had The City of Brotherly Love glued to the TV set when the funky Phillies started smoking. Adding excitement and increased fan interest to the Phillies success was the fact that two brothers were the faces of baseball at a time when African-American participation in the game was waning and needed a boost.
Rollins is one of the premier shortstops of his generation. He’s also one the most underrated as his career numbers against the all-time great offensive shortstops of his era certainly should garner him more Hall of Fame consideration. His combination of speed, power and athleticism was the spark for one of the golden eras in Philadelphia Phillies history.
In his prime, Rollins was considered a Top Five player in the game and is easily one of the most multi-faceted second baseman to ever play the game.
In his prime, Rollins was a 30-30 guy and also did 20-20-20 (homers, doubles and triples). A dynamic base runner and fielder, the 5-foot-8 shortstop won four Gold Gloves and made three All-Star teams with Philly.
The switch-hitting Rollins ranks first in Phillies history in doubles (479), at-bats (8,628) and hits (2,306). He’s also second in stolen bases (453 which is also fourth-most among active players) and total bases (3,655). He’s comfortably in the top 10 of nearly every offensive category in club history and holds the distinction of being one of 19 players in major league history with at least 400 doubles, 100 triples and 200 home runs. He is also seventh all-time with 46 leadoff homers.
The Phillies have an excellent chance at winning the World Series, with no Bros in sight. It isn’t ideal, but the baseball fans in Philly will take it any way they can get it. Let’s not forget, however, when Philly was all on Black Baseball’s tip. It wasn’t that long ago.
When it comes to October baseball, every pitch, at-bat, substitution, and shift is going to be analyzed in the intense cauldron of competition for a World Series championship. So, it helps to have credible voices talking about those high-pressure moments. Fans expect players who have been deep into the playoffs and who know what it means to play for the sports’ ultimate prize.
Viewers checking out the studio shows on TBS during the playoffs are getting plenty of that expertise.
Jimmy Rollins and Curtis Granderson combined for six All-Star game appearances and between them they played in five World Series (Rollins won with Philadelphia in 2008).
In a group interview with fellow panelist Pedro Martinez for The Big Lead, Rollins said nothing compares to postseason baseball.
“It literally feels like you’re walking onto a stage, and you have to be ready to perform,” he said. “You’re on. You’re on. That’s what the crowd is for. That’s what the intensity is for. That’s the importance and urgency of winning.”
Rolins played in 11 playoff series, accumulating 48 hits in 50 games for the Phillies and Dodgers. Granderson reached the postseason in eight of his 16 seasons in the big leagues, making it to the World Series with the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, and Dodgers.
“The games don’t necessarily go longer, but the focus on every detail is more intense from pitch one to the last pitch of the game,” he said. “You can’t take a pitch off, even if you’re not starting.”
Now, instead of playing under that pressure they have the task of examining those details and giving that information to fans in a way that brings them inside the moment.
It’s a difficult task, but something the duo enjoys doing. They exhibit knowledge and their chemistry with the rest of the crew isn’t fake.
Discussing that chemistry with the Chicago Sun Times back in April, Granderson said, “Nothing is scripted…That makes everybody at ease. That allows everybody to flow and go, and that’s the chemistry you see on TV.”
Rollins, Granderson, and Martinez have been compared to TNT’s Inside the NBA trio of Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith.
That’s high praise considering Inside the NBA is generally regarded as the gold standard of sports studio shows.
But then again, neither Granderson or Rollins are strangers to earning accolades and praise. Not with more than 4200 hits, 2600 runs, 570 home runs, 1800 RBI, 550 stolen bases, four Gold Gloves, and two Silver Sluggers awards on their shared resumes.
Frank Thomas on Aaron Judge via MLB on FS1 Pregame:
“Why are they still leading him off? Why? You got one of the most powerful hitters in all of baseball batting first. Makes no sense. Never made any sense. He needs to be 3-4 in that lineup.”
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