Philadelphia Phillies Legend Hits Hall of Fame Ballot for First Time

Philadelphia Phillies fans will be monitoring the Hall of Fame selections very closely going forward as two of their franchise's all-time best players are now on the ballot.

Jimmy Rollins is one of the 14 returning players and will have his name on the list for the third straight year. He has a long way to go before reaching the 75% threshold need to be inducted.

The other Phillies' legend joining Rollins on the ballot this year is Chase Utley.

He and 11 other players have their names featured for the first time on the official 2024 Hall of Fame ballot.

As announced moments ago by @baseballhall, the 2024 Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot: pic.twitter.com/wBfOUheuF3
— Ryan Thibodaux (@NotMrTibbs) November 20, 2023

Philadelphia's legendary second baseman played just under 13 seasons with the franchise before getting traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in August of 2015.

Utley finished his career as a six-time All-Star, all with the Phillies, and a four-time Silver Slugger winner. From 2006-2010, he was selected to five straight All-Star games and won the Silver Slugger four years in a row during that time period.

He also ranks in the Top-10 of the franchise record books in hits (1,623), doubles (346), home runs (233), RBI (916), runs (949) and total bases (2,766).

The second baseman was both an elite defender and hitter. That shows up as he is second in total WAR by Philadelphia's position players (62.0), second in defensive WAR (17.7) and fourth in offensive WAR (47.9).

Utley also was a key figure on the Phillies' World Series championship team in 2008.

With Rollins facing an uphill battle to get elected into the Hall of Fame, a similar situation might be the same for Utley.

Both players' candidacies are certainly ones to monitor as Philadelphia is hoping that two of the best players on their second-ever championship team are recognized with the highest honor in baseball.