Three former Phillies have officially been nominated for their first MLB Hall of Fame ballot. It’s that time of year where the MLB Hall of Fame ballot is released, and the names were announced today for the 2022 class. Out of the thirty total names on the ballot, Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, and Jonathan Papelbon, three former Phillies, are seeing their names on the ballot for the first time. 

The MLB Hall of Fame is the biggest honor in all of major league baseball, being among the names of the greats, and having your name enshrined in Cooperstown forever. There’s always been a big debate about whether or not the trio of Rollins/Utley/Howard will make the hall, and if all of them will get in, or just a select one or two. Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard are not 1st ballot Hall of Famers, but there is a case for both of them to get in eventually. 

Jimmy Rollins, J-Roll, or the greatest Phillies shortstop of all time, whatever you prefer. Jimmy Rollins is a Phillies legend, the all-time leader in hits for the Phillies organization (2,403), an MVP, World Series champion, Silver Slugger, 3x All-Star, and a 4x Golf Glove winner. That’s a pretty crazy resume, and we haven’t even gotten into his stats yet. 

Jimmy Rollins was a career .267/.324/.418 hitter with the Phillies, with a .743 OPS. Rolling hit 231 career home runs, 2306 hits, 479 doubles, 111 triples, and 453 stolen bases in his 15 year Phillies career. His MVP season was the best season of his career, where he played every single game that season (162). He finished the year with 30 HRs, 94 RBIs, 41 stolen bases, 212 hits, and an OPS of .875. Jimmy was a highlight machine and was one of the best fielders I have ever watched play professional baseball. His 2009 walk-off double was my favorite J-Roll moment ever. I could just watch this on repeat for hours. 

Ryan Howard will also see his name on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time. The Big Piece was the greatest first baseman in Phillies history, being the clean-up for the Phillies postseason runs from 07-11. Ryan Howard was an MVP, Rookie of the Year winner, 3x All-Star, HR Derby Champ, World Series Champ, Silver Slugger winner, NLCS MVP, and an ML Player of the Year winner over his 13-year career with the Phillies, from 2004-2016.

Ryan Howard is one of the biggest power-hitting bats the Phillies have ever had in their franchise. He struck 58 home runs and 149 RBIs in his MVP season in 2006, while posting a line of .313/.425/.659, good for a season OPS of 1.084. Ryan Howard could just flat out hit the ball, and everybody that watched him knew that. He finished his career only playing for the Phillies, with 382 HRs, 1194 RBIs, 1475 hits, and a career slugging percentage of .515. 

Jonathan Papelbon man, what a ride. Papelbon is a 6x All-star, a World Series champion, and holds the Phillies’ all-time saves category with 123. Papelbon’s stay with the Phillies wasn’t long, just playing four seasons in Philadelphia. Papelbon tallied 237.2 innings, 252 strikeouts, and just 19 HRs allowed in his time in Philadelphia. 

He’s a career 2.44 ERA pitcher, with 808 strikeouts, 725.2 innings pitched 368 saves, and a 10 strikeout per 9 innings ratio. Looking back on it, it’s kind of funny how everything comes full circle. The first thing I think of when I hear Jonathan Papelbon’s name, is the time he tried to fight our now 2x MVP and franchise player, Bryce Harper. 

There are other former Phillies that are back on the ballot, including Scott Rolen, Bobby Abreu, Curt Schilling, and Billy Wagner. The Hall of Fame debate is always a good one, and this one could be one of the most crucial in years past. With Bonds, Clemens, Schilling, and Sosa all coming up on their final ballot nomination in 2022, will they finally get in, or will they be left out for their actions?

Mandatory Credit: USA Today Sports