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Ex-Phillies Make Progress in Hall of Fame Voting

🚦 THE Philly sports newsletter

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Philip Keidel & John Foley
January 09, 2025

© Howard Smith | 2009 Jul 5

Jalen Hurts practiced with the Eagles on Wednesday, soothing the frazzled nerves of the Birds’ fan base ahead of the playoffs.

But on an otherwise slow Eagles news day, in today’s send we’ll examine how ex-Phillies are faring in Hall of Fame voting.

We’ll also discuss (an unimpressive) Sixers win and a (very impressive) Villanova W.

Let’s jump in.

In the email today:

🏛 Ex-Phillies Make Progress in Hall of Fame Voting

Four ex-Phillies are on the BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot this year: Bobby Abreu, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Billy Wagner.

Only Wagner is on pace to clear the 75% threshold necessary to join the Hall. But based on data from Ryan Thibodaux’s ballot tracking, all of the other ex-Phils are outperforming their showing from last year’s voting.

© Rick Scuteri | 2006 Jun 5

With 119 of approximately 388 expected ballots returned this year:

  • Abreu has received a vote on 21.8% of ballots, compared to 14.8% of ballots last year, and is net +3 votes among known returning voters.

  • Rollins has received a vote on 20.2% of ballots, compared to 12.9% of ballots last year, and is net +8 votes among known returning voters.

  • Utley has received a vote on 52.1% of ballots, compared to 28.8% of ballots last year, and is net +7 votes among known returning voters.

  • Wagner has received a vote on 84.9% of ballots, compared to 73.8% of ballots last year, and is net +8 votes among known returning voters.

Abreu is in his sixth year on the ballot, Rollins is in his fourth, and Utley is in his second. Wagner is on the ballot for his tenth and final year.

© Lou Capozzola | 2005 Mar 4

The most likely outcomes? Wagner will get in this year, Utley will make a steady upward climb and get in after a few years, but Abreu and Rollins will fall short.

A strong case can be made for each player. But Rollins’ best arguments are based on counting stats, which have fallen out of favor among voters in recent years. And while Abreu’s case is strongest in more modern metrics, his candidacy just can’t seem to gain much momentum.

Here’s what Tim wrote over on the website when filling out a hypothetical ballot:

I think Jimmy Rollins is an all-time great Phillie, and they should retire his number regardless of whether he gets into the Hall of Fame. He just falls short of being Hall of Fame worthy in my mind.

People often compare him to Barry Larkin because they are NL shortstops who won an MVP. Rollins actually does have 115 more hits in his career than Larkin. But Larkin hit .295 for his career. Rollins' MVP season in 2007 when he hit .296 was the only time he topped .295 in a single season. He hit .264 for his career. Larkin had an .815 career OPS, as opposed to Rollins' .743. Larkin had a 67.0 career WAR, while Rollins had a 49.7 WAR.

Rollins was a tremendous fielder and great basestealer. There just weren't enough superstar-level offensive seasons to be Hall of Fame worthy. That's not meant as a dis, he still is a legendary Phillie.

And here’s what he had to say about Abreu:

Considering he hit .291 with 2,470 hits and 400 stolen bases, it probably shouldn't be a surprise that Abreu has generated a grassroots HOF campaign. I think he was vastly under-appreciated during his career, both because much of his peak came during the Steroid Era and because he was on some bad teams. Walks weren't as valued at that time as they are now either. Still, Abreu wasn't a particularly effective fielder, and I do think there's something to be said for how you were perceived during your career. Abreu was seen as an excellent player, but probably not quite Cooperstown worthy.

For Rollins counterpoints from an unabashed Phillies homer, I’ll direct you here, here, and here.

And for another perspective on Abreu, this is worth your attention:

Ichiro is the only player on this year’s ballot who has received 100% of the vote.

🧟 Zombie Sixers Survive Scare from Lowly Wizards

The vibe, the look, the stench around the Sixers now is slow death.

Nothing says “slow death” like a midweek home tilt against the 6-28 Washington Wizards in below-freezing early January, where the visiting team is playing out the string before half the schedule has been fulfilled.

Meanwhile, here were the Sixers who started with Joel Embiid and Paul George again in “load management mode” or whatever they’re doing.

Michael Jordan was infamous for his unwillingness to skip games, even in the preseason. He was concerned for the fans “who may only get to see him once.”

Hopefully, no one will ask MJ what he thinks about Joel Embiid missing his 22nd game out of the 35 his team has played this season.

The Sixers’ saving grace last night is that the Wizards are a G-League team with better per diems and plusher travel accommodations.

Fair point, King. Except no one told the Wizards not to at least take this game seriously.

The Sixers led by 14 points through three quarters. Then the Sixers did that thing they love to do where they think the game is over and they basically stop playing.

It was noticeable.

With 4:25 left in the game, the lead was gone and the Sixers trailed by two.

In the end, the Sixers had just enough. Tyrese Maxey five of his game-high 29 points in the last 1:09. The final score definitely flattered the Sixers.

Guerschon Yabusele continues to be an absolute revelation for the Sixers. He had 21 points and eight rebounds in 34 hard-working minutes. Other than Maxey, he was the only compelling reason to watch the game at all.

Now we all wait with bated breath to see whether Embiid and George skip another home tilt against another last place team as the New Orleans Pelicans visit Friday night.

⬆️ Ball Don’t Lie as Villanova Takes Down #9 UConn at the Finn

The last time UConn played Villanova at the Pavillion before last night, Kerry Kittles led the Wildcats with 25 points, while Ray Allen paced the Huskies with 19 in a 77-62 UConn win. That was January 3, 1995.

Maybe it’s just that the Sixers had a home game last night? Either way, Villanova seemed to enjoy playing in the cozy confines of the Finn.

Eric Dixon led the Wildcats with 23 points, going a perfect 9-9 on free throws. Wooga Poplar added 18.

Villanova lost a 12-point second half lead and ended up defending UConn’s last possessions leading by only one.

Huskies forward Alex Karaban drew a very suspect foul with three seconds left in the game. A win, a tie, a loss — it was all in play.

Kyle Neptune’s Wildcats improved to 11-5 and a very encouraging 4-1 in the Big East. They travel to New York to take on St. John’s at Madison Square Garden Friday night.

And give the coach his flowers. He earned them with this win.

Well…OK. Let’s maybe take it a game at a time.

📆 This Day in Philly Sports History

It’s still frustrating that the Eagles never won it all in the Donovan McNabb era.

📊 Poll

Does Jimmy Rollins belong in the Hall of Fame?

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Results from yesterday:

Hungry dogs run faster.

📺 Coming Up

Games before our next send.

Thursday, January 9, 2025

  • Stars at Flyers, 7:00 p.m. (NBC Sports Philadelphia)

Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow.

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