Buddy Bell vs. Scot Rolen

[flash]

Who was the better third baseman. Their stats are really quite similar. Bell had more singles and triples. Rolen more doubles and home runs. Rolen struck out about twice as much as Bell, but grounded into far fewer double plays. Bell blew Rolen away in sacrifices. Rolen played on better teams. Bell never saw the post season. Rolen may have an edge, but it is mighty small.

[jeremiah]

Unfortunately it was Rolen's E5 that played a big part in the Reds losing in the 2012 postseason.

[schellis]

Feb 3, 2023 14:32:35 GMT -5 flash said:

Who was the better third baseman. Their stats are really quite similar. Bell had more singles and triples. Rolen more doubles and home runs. Rolen struck out about twice as much as Bell, but grounded into far fewer double plays. Bell blew Rolen away in sacrifices. Rolen played on better teams. Bell never saw the post season. Rolen may have an edge, but it is mighty small.

Bell played in around 350 more games, hit 100 less homers and doubles, Rolen had a .090 poing slugging advantage. Bell got caught on the tail end of Brooks Robinson's career so might have lost a gold glove or two there.

Would I be outraged if Bell got in, no because 3B are under represented in the all, but I'm also not outraged that he isn't in either like I am with Lou Whitaker, another 1 and done.

Bell has the counting stats to at least be considered, lacks the hardware that Rolen has (ROY and ring) and also was never really considered one of the top players in the league. Even his best offensive year 1986 he was the third banana on his own team behind Parker and Davis.

Bell wouldn't be the worst player in the hall, and there have been others elected from his era that I feel have less of a case (Baines/Rice) but that doesn't make him a hall of fame player.

Give Rolen another 1500 plate appearances and I believe he'd dust Bell in pretty much everything but strike outs. Bell walked more then he struck out which even during his era wasnt common.

Injuries make Rolen look like a lesser player when looking at counting stats, much like Barry Larkin, but in the context of following his career as it was happening you knew he was elite. He was a player you built around, Bell while very good was a complement player.