Stats and Ranks
Some Interesting Stats and Facts
- The 5th Phillies player to win the MVP, joining Mike Schmidt (3), Chuck Klein, Jim Konstanty and Ryan Howard
- Just the 6th SS to win the NL MVP, joining Ernie Banks (2), Maury Wills, Marty Marion, Dick Groat and Barry Larkin. Only Wills and Larkin also won Gold Gloves as Rollins did.
- Only player in MLB history with 20 triples, 40 stolen bases and 30 HR in a single-season
- Most triples, total bases and extra base hits by an NL SS ever
- Was the first NL SS in 34 years to play in every game
- Had the most plate appearances (778) in MLB history
- Led the NL in runs by 14
Why He’s Here
Is this the best season by an NL SS in history? It’s close. Here are Jimmy’s single season ranks for NL SS’s from his 2007 season.
Runs
1. Woody English, 1930 (152)
2. Jimmy Rollins, 2007 (139)
3. Pee Wee Reese, 1949 (132)
4. Woody English, 1929 (131)
5. Rafael Furcal, 2003 (130)
Hits
1. Woody English, 1930 (214)
t-2. Jimmy Rollins, 2007 (212)
t-2. Hanley Ramirez, 2007 (212)
4. Garry Templeton, 1979 (211)
5. Dave Bancroft, 1922 (209)
Triples
1. Jimmy Rollins, 2007 (20)
t-1. Honus Wagner, 1912 (20)
3. Jose Reyes, 2008 (19)
t-3. 4 others tied with 19
Total Bases
1. Jimmy Rollins, 2007 (380)
2. Ernie Banks, 1958 (379)
3. Rich Aurilia, 2001 (364)
4. Hanley Ramirez, 2007 (359)
5. Ernie Banks, 1955 (355)
Extra Base Hits
1. Jimmy Rollins, 2007 (88)
T-2. Hanley Ramirez, 2007 (83)
T-2. Ernie Banks, 1957 (83)
4. Ernie Banks, 1955 (82)
5. Ernie Banks, 1958 (81)
Runs Created
1. Arky Vaughan, 1935 (147)
2. Hanley Ramirez, 2007 (141)
3. Woody English, 1930 (139)
4. Hanley Ramirez, 2008 (136)
5. Jimmy Rollins, 2007 (135)
Home Runs (Ranked 11th, Ernie Banks holds top 5 spots)
SLG% (Ranked 16th)
RBI (Ranked 27th, despite leading off)
OPS (Ranked 33rd)
Stolen Bases (Ranked 36th)
Doubles (Ranked 39th)
There is no definitive answer to the question above, but Rollins 2007 season would certainly be in the discussion. Rollins was excellent in every facet of the game. He was a gold glove short-stop, he hit for power, drove in runs, hit for average, stole bases and according to Baseball Prospectus, was the 5th best base-runner in all of baseball. Some argued that he won the MVP over Matt Holliday more because his pre-season “team to beat” proclamation came true than because of his numbers, but he won, and deserved to win, because of his all-around game. He wasn’t just good at the non-hitting aspects of the game (defense, base-running), he was elite. Add this to his unique offensive season, and it’s a no-brainer that this season deserves a place in the top-10 Phillies seasons ever.
Previous Seasons
12. Billy Hamilton, 1894
13. Ed Delahanty, 1895
14. Curt Schilling, 1997
15. Lefty O’Doul, 1929
16. Brad Lidge, 2008
17. Chris Short, 1964
18. John Denny, 1983
19. Tug McGraw, 1980
20. Greg Luzinski, 1977
21. Gavvy Cravath, 1913
22. Lenny Dykstra, 1993
Five pitchers that just missed (and criteria for rankings)
Ah, Woody English. I remember him well.
When I first read the question as to if this was the best season in NL history by a SS, my gut reaction was no way figuring Ernie Banks had to have a better one in the late 50s. But damned if it’s not. 20 triples in a season is mind boggling.
glad he made it these stats 20 triples, 30 Hrs, 96 RBIs are unheard of from a leadoff guy? not to mention he won the MVP and lifted the phils to their first postseason berth in 14 yrs. and he said the “the phillies are the team to beat” and he backed it up. thats clutch