It's a shame fans still find pleasure in booing Rolen

Twice this week, an eight-time All-Star third baseman on his way toward retirement was recognized for his Hall of Fame-worthy career by two different host fan bases.

In the same week, a seven-time All-Star third baseman came through his first major league city for what could very well be the final time and was also recognized.

The difference was Chipper Jones received hearty ovations from Washington Nationals' and San Francisco Giants' fans as their respective teams celebrated the longtime Braves third baseman in his farewell tour.

At Citizens Bank Park, Scott Rolen was recognized in the same fashion he as in South Philly 10 years ago: He was booed.

The events of the past week for two of the game's best third basemen in the last quarter century isn't made to compare their respective careers. Jones is a first-ballot Hall of Famer; Rolen was headed toward that path while he wore red pinstripes, but injuries robbed him of continuing on that path after he left.

The 40-year-old Jones is retiring at the end of the season. The 37-year-old Rolen is a free agent at the end of the season, and, after hitting .244 in 135 games in the last two seasons, his injury-riddled career could also be coming to a close.

If Thursday was his final game in Philadelphia, it's sad it had to end with the neverending rain of boos from the Phillies faithful.

And this is not to tell fans how they should behave. If you lay down more than $100 for a ticket, parking, a hot dog and a couple of beverages, you can do as you please.

But the Rolen booing went on for too long. Like 7 or 8 years too long.

Yes, Rolen wanted out of Philadelphia after seven seasons. But let's not forget what baseball in Philadelphia was all about during that time frame.

The Phillies had one winning season (2001) in that stretch. Instead of signing the Cliff Lees and Jonathan Papelbons each winter, they made their offseason mark by signing three guys named Mark (Leiter, Portugal and Parent).

In 2002, the year Rolen was shipped to St. Louis, the Phils ranked 24th in baseball in attendance; only the Expos and Marlins drew fewer fans among National League teams. Rolen wanted out in the same way the fans didn't want in.

Rolen wanting out of Philly was really no different from Roy Halladay wanting out of Toronto. Each saw winning wasn't going to happen in the near future for the franchise he grew up in, so both sought trades to contending teams.

Yes, Rolen clashed with fan favorite and franchise icon Larry Bowa. But there's a reason Bowa never lasted long as a major league manager: His hyper, brash style didn't exactly mesh with most of his players, not only Rolen.

Ironically, the current Phillies player who matches up best with Rolen is Chase Utley, who has lived through a boo-free existence in Philadelphia.

Entering Friday, Utley was hitting .288 with an .880 OPS, 196 home runs and 717 RBI in 1,155 games with the Phillies. In 311 fewer games in Philadelphia, Rolen hit .282 with an .877 OPS, 150 home runs and 559 RBI.

And Rolen played the game like Utley, too - running out every ball and getting his uniform dirty at every opportunity.

"I haven't seen many like this kid," former Phils pitching coach Galen Cisco, told the Inquirer in 1997, Rolen's rookie season. "He plays the game right, and he's never loud and showy."

"He's unbelievable," Parent, now a coach with the White Sox, also said in 1997. "What a gift he is to the Philadelphia Phillies."

It's a shame most of Philadelphia forgot that in the last 10 years.

Trivial pursuit

Los Angeles Angels superstar rookie and Sports Illustrated coverboy Mike Trout, who grew up as a Phillies fan in Millville, N.J., stolen two bases on Thursday to become the youngest player to post a 20-home run, 40-stolen base season, at 21 years, 16 days.

Entering Friday, Trout had 25 home runs and 41 stolen bases.

Since Trout has played most of the season at age 20, the 2012 season is considered his "age-20 season."

Before Thursday, who was the youngest player in baseball history to post a 20-homer, 40-steal season?

Former Phillie file

The Phillies weren't the only team in baseball to enjoy an 11th-inning, walkoff win Thursday night. At Detroit, Quintin Berry pinch-ran for Delmon Young in the 11th, stole second base and scored the game-ending run on a two-out single from Alex Avila.

Berry, who has started 56 games for the Tigers this season, entered the weekend 17-for-17 in stolen base attempts. He also was hitting .272 with a .352 on-base percentage.

Berry, 27, a fifth-round pick by the Phillies in 2006, was selected off waivers by the San Diego Padres in July 2010. He bounced from the Padres to the Mets and Reds before finding a home in Detroit.

Future Phillie file

Double A Reading first baseman Darin Ruf continued his onslaught against Eastern League pitching this week.

With the R-Phils down a run in the bottom of the seventh on Thursday, Ruf ripped grand slam. Reading won the game, 7-6.

Entering Friday, Ruf had 15 home runs in 23 games this month while hitting .337 with a 1.280 OPS.

Ruf has 33 home runs this season, four shy of matching Ryan Howard's Reading record of 37 home runs, set in 2004.

Beginning Friday, Reading had 11 games left in its season. Itwill be interesting to see not only whether Ruf closes in on Howard's record, but also whether the major league Phillies reward him with a September call-up to the big leagues.

Trivial answer

Before Mike Trout joined the 20/40 club, the youngest player in baseball history to hit at least 20 home runs and steal at least 40 bases pulled off the feat 40 years ago.

Houston Astros outfielder Cesar Cedeno hit 22 home runs and stole 55 bases in 1972. Cedeno was 21 years, 6 months and 1 day old, having turned 21 in February of that year.

Contact Ryan Lawrence at rlawrence@phillynews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryanlawrence21.