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Urging the Baseball Writers of America Association to induct Philadelphia Phillies legends Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024.
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WHEREAS, In 2024, legendary Philadelphia Phillies second baseman, Chase Utley, and shortstop, Jimmy Rollins, will be on the ballot to join the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. This will be Utley’s first year on the ballot while it will be Rollins’ third try. To be selected by the Baseball Writers of America Association, players must appear on 75% of ballots submitted: and
WHEREAS, The National Baseball Hall of Fame recognizes the best of the best of America’s past time. Giants such as “Babe” Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, Ty Cobb, Roberto Clemente, Joe DiMaggio, Ken Griffey, Jr., David Ortiz, and Hank Aaron are all immortalized in Cooperstown. Philadelphia is well represented with the likes of Grover Cleveland Alexander, Richie Ashburn, Mike Schmidt, Jim Bunning, Steve Carlton, Robin Roberts, and Roy Halladay, but it is time that two members of the World Series winning 2008 Phillies Team join their ranks; and
WHEREAS, Chase Utley played for the Phillies from 2003-2015 and during that time, he was one of the most dominant second basemen in the game. During his time at Veteran’s Stadium and Citizens Bank Park, he was a six-time All-Star and a four-time Silver Slugger. Utley’s home run in the first inning of the first game of the 2008 World Series catapulted them to victory that year, and he is widely credited with the play that saved the series for the Phils. In 2009, Utley rivaled “Mr. October,” Reggie Jackson, by tying his five home run record during the 1977 series. Throughout his decades long career, Utley was an aggressive baserunner and retired with .275 batting average, 259 home runs, 1,025 RBIs. Chase Utley is also credited with saving the most runs in all of baseball; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Rollins played with the Phillies from 2000-2014 and served as both leadoff hitter and shortstop. Making up one third of the most successful infields in baseball, Rollins is a three time All-Star, a four-time recipient of the Golden Glove, a Silver Slugger, a recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award, and was the National League MVP in 2007. During the 2005-2006 seasons, Rollins completed a 38-hit streak that led many to think he would end up surpassing Joe DiMaggio’s 56 game streak. During the 2007 season, Rollins led the league in at bats and runs, and came second in hits. In 2008 he was instrumental to the Phillies win in the Fall Classic. Jimmy Rollins is the only shortstop in baseball to hit more than 200 home runs, over 100 triples, 500 doubles, and steal at least 400 bases in his career:
WHEREAS, Both “The Man” and “J-Roll” were leaders on and off the field as well as in the clubhouse, and there is no question that they both led hall of fame careers. When compared with some of the other players in the Hall of Fame, their stats rival that of the greats. Utley finished his career with a 64.5 Baseball-Reference’s Calculation (bWAR), better than 11 hall of fame second basemen including Jackie Robinson. During his career with the Phillies, his 62.0 bWAR was third among all players in baseball, better than Miguel Cabrera and Alex Rodriguez. As for Jimmy Rollins, he has been a key architect in a World Series win, two National League Championships, and five consecutive National League East Titles. His career bWAR of 47.6 is better than four current Hall of Famers: and
WHEREAS, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins are two of the most successful, influential, and instrumental players to ever wear Phillies pinstripes. Their legacy is cemented into the fabric of Philadelphia’s history with their monumental contributions to the 2008 World Series Championship Team. Rollins and Utley played next to each other for 12 seasons, and it is only fitting that these double-play partners are enshrined next to each other in Cooperstown to immortalize their monumental careers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby urges the Baseball Writers of America Association to induct Philadelphia Phillies legends Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024.
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