Scott Rolen will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend. While the Cincinnati Reds chapter of his 17-year MLB career was comparatively brief. His time with the Reds was memorable.

There are several things about Rolen’s tenure with the Reds that stand out. The first is the deal that brought Rolen to Cincinnati. Rolen joined the Reds through a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2009. He would stay with the Reds through his final major league season in 2012. Rolen joined the Reds as they were building up to a run that resulted in three postseason appearances. Winning division titles in 2010 and 2012. Then playing in the National League Wildcard Game in 2013.

The trade that brought Rolen to Cincinnati is a rare one that worked out for both teams. The deal sent Edwin Encarnacion to Toronto, where he became one of Toronto’s biggest stars. Helping the Blue Jays make it to the MLB Postseason in 2015 and 2016. Marking the Blue Jays first postseason appearances since their 1993 world championship season. Encarnacion blossomed in Toronto, after spending most the first five seasons of his career with the Reds.

Encarnacion had a middle of the road presence statistically with Cincinnati. With Toronto, Encarnacion made all three of his career all-star appearances. In 2016, he led the American League with 127 runs batted in. Encarnacion also had a career high 158 hits that year. As he helped the Blue Jays reach the American League Championship Series.

While Rolen was metaphorically “rounding third and heading for home” playing-wise in Cincinnati. He didn’t fade off with the Reds. He made two of his seven career all-star appearances with the Reds. Appearing in the 2010 and 2011 MLB All-Star Games. He also won a Gold Glove Award in 2010. Rolen and Encarnacion could be considered part of a series of reliable Reds third basemen. A series that includes Eugenio Suarez, Todd Frazier and Elly De La Cruz.

Rolen’s stint in Cincinnati could be regarded as a homecoming of sorts. He was born in Evansville, IN and raised in Jasper, IN. In a state where baseball fans geographically have a several MLB teams to root for. The Reds have a sizable fan base in the Hoosier state. Helping make Rolen even more of a household name in Reds country. After spending most of his career succeeding at the Reds expense. He previously played for the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals.

An infamous moment between Rolen and the Cardinals also stands out. Rolen was part of a 2010 bench-clearing brawl between the Cardinals and Reds. In a game that featured several players that wore Reds and Cardinals uniforms during their careers. When push literally came to shove, Rolen stuck up for his Reds teammates. More importantly, Rolen tried to play peacemaker in that situation.

The third thing that sticks out about Rolen’s tenure with Cincinnati relates to the present. Rolen provided veteran experience to the Reds. At a time when the Reds had a roster featuring several rising stars. Joey Votto was in the early years of his major league career. The Reds in the early 2010s had a mix of players at various points in their career. Nowadays, the Reds have one of the youngest rosters in baseball. While Votto stands out as the veteran mentor; a role Rolen had in Cincinnati.

The end of Rolen’s career is the fourth thing that stands out. Rolen struck out swinging in his last MLB at bat. Happening in game five of the 2012 National League Divisional Series against the San Francisco Giants. That series went a full five games after the Reds won the first two. The Reds tried to rally in the ninth. A rally that culminated in Rolen striking out. Ending the game, the series and Rolen’s career.

I remember thinking months later that it was a rough way for Rolen’s career to end. Upon further reflection though, if a career can’t end with a title. Striking out swinging in the postseason is perhaps the next best way. In the end, Rolen gave it his all. Which is all one can reasonably ask of a ballplayer.

That “give it your all” commitment is a hallmark of a hall of famer. It’s a quality Rolen and his fellow 2023 inductee Fred McGriff share. Fortunately for the Reds, they have a roster of players actively showcasing that mentality too.