Scott

Rolen

The seven-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove award-winning third baseman saw his support rise exponentially since drawing just 10.2% of the vote in 2018 -- his first year on the ballot. He them jumped to 17.2%, 35.3%, 52.9% and 63.2% with each passing year before finally breaking through the barrier. He’s the first player in the history of the voting process that has drawn less than 15% in his first year on the ballot and still gone on to get elected by the BBWAA. Rolen was the only player voted in on Tuesday, as Todd Helton (72.2%), Billy Wagner (68.1%), Andruw Jones (58.1%) and Gary Sheffield (55%) fell short of the mark. He’ll be joined in Cooperstown on induction day by Fred McGriff -- who was voted in by the Contemporary Era Committee in December.

If Rolen follows their advice, he won’t be in the lineup tonight. He may play Tuesday.

Rolen remains day-to-day with a calf injury that might unfortunately cost him the NL RBI title. There’s no sense in the Cardinals risking him not being available for the playoffs.

Good news for Rolen owners needing an offensive boost at the end.

La Russa and GM Walt Jocketty both had contracts expire at the end of the season, but there was never any doubt that either would return. Jocketty will get his new deal later this winter.

Rolen believes any issues would be more of an inconvenience than a chronic problem. Because he lacks cartilage in the knee, he’ll probably end up having microfracture surgery some offseason down the line. In the meantime, he’ll have to play through aches and pains from time to time.

Manager Tony La Russa said Rolen has made a lot of progress. Joining him in Tuesday’s lineup will be Jim Edmonds and J.D. Drew, all of whom were on the bench with minor injuries in Sunday’s game.

Manager Tony La Russa said he should have given Rolen two days off in hindsight. Rolen shouldn’t miss any time this week.

''I’d been looking for a spot. His knee’s been barking and I told him we’d lost two with him, so we’d take a shot without him,’' manager Tony La Russa said. The Cardinals ended up getting swept by the Pirates.

Rolen experiences a clicking in the knee when running, which could indicate frayed cartilege. To this point, he has rejected the injections, but arthroscopic surgery looms as a possibility if the condition should worsen. A recent MRI also turned up some bone bruises. If the Cardinals wrap up a playoff spot early, Rolen might opt for rest heading into October.