The Phillies’ iconic 2008 squad raises one big question: which champion truly has the résumé worthy of Cooperstown? DD

Cooperstown is calling. Who will get in?

The 2026 Hall of Fame ballot was recently released, and several notable Philadelphia Phillies legends made the prestigious cut. Bobby Abreu, who played with the franchise from 1998 to 2006, is up once again for consideration, but more importantly, three members of the 2008 World Championship roster are featured.

Returning are legendary double play partners Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins, while Cole Hamels, who debuted with the Phillies in 2006 and pitched for the franchise until the 2015 trade deadline, makes his debut on the ballot. All three have notable legacies, both for the Phillies and for baseball as a whole, but which member of the 2008 run will be forever enshrined in Cooperstown?

Jimmy Rollins has struggled to make waves in previous Hall of Fame voting

While it’s difficult to eliminate Rollins so soon, he’s made little advance towards the required 75 percent to enter the Hall of Fame. Last year, he garnered only 18 percent of the vote, much to the chagrin of other Phillies legends, and his total has barely doubled since his first year.

It’s a tough choice, and while he may eventually be voted in, it’s hard to imagine that he can make the necessary leap soon, and time is not on his side.

At this juncture, Rollins is entering his fifth ballot, marking the halfway point of his candidacy. Others have ascended from low vote totals. Billy Wagner beat the buzzer last season in his final year of eligibility after being around 32 percent in his fifth year on the ballot. It is a difficult process, though, and being at this low of a percent does not bode well.

Still, there certainly is a case for Rollins. His 2007 MVP season alone provides a boost, particularly to his offensive numbers, and stands as an outlier with its combination of power, speed, and defensive ability. His 2,455 career hits clear one of the position player barriers of 2,000 hits. It will, unfortunately, take a Herculean effort to make it to Cooperstown.

Cole Hamels grades well compared to another left-handed inductee

When it comes down to it, Hamels and Utley hit a lot of the big markers at their positions while also missing out on others due to longevity issues. Hamels, for instance, missed the 200-win mark but did eclipse 2,500 strikeouts. Utley, meanwhile, hit the bWAR minimum of 60 while missing the 2,000-hit marker.

While Hamels might not make it on the first ballot, it shouldn’t be a surprise when he and Utley manage to be elected in, even with those flaws. They compare well to other Hall of Famers, and, particularly for Utley, fill a much-missing niche for their position.

Hamels compares particularly well to 2025 inductee CC Sabathia. While Sabathia has better counting stats due to playing, in essence, five extra seasons, Hamels grades out better in vital rate statistics.

In a head-to-head comparison, Hamels outduels Sabathia with a higher career ERA+ (123), strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.34), and significantly lower FIP (3.68) and WHIP (1.18) rates. In almost 900 more innings, Sabathia accumulated just two more bWAR (62.3) than Hamels’ 59 bWAR, another plus for the Phillies southpaw.

Hamels has garnered early Hall of Fame support as well, making his case. Even if he’s not a first-ballot selection, he’s a safe bet.

Chase Utley provided offense to a position typically lacking

Utley might have the best case, even if he’s already in his third year. At roughly 40 percent of the vote, he gained around 10 percent between his first and second years and looks poised to continue that trend in 2026.

At the peak of his powers, Utley was one of the best players in baseball, let alone at his position. For five straight seasons, his bWAR was never lower than 7.3, and his OPS never dipped below .900, either. He won four Silver Sluggers during those five seasons. While he didn’t earn a Gold Glove over the course of his 16 years in the majors, he did wind up with 133 defensive runs saved (DRS) for his career.

His 2008 campaign, the year the Phillies won the World Series, was nothing short of immaculate. Utley finished with a .915 OPS, 41 doubles, 33 homers, and, to top it off, a league-leading 30 DRS, regardless of position. It was two-way play at its finest.

His short time at the top is what most argue is keeping Utley from Cooperstown. The 2,000-hit barrier might be playing a part, as that tends to be a harsh line for many voters. Utley grades out well in every other facet, however, particularly his 64.6 career bWAR. That’s the eighth-highest among second basemen post-expansion.

Utley’s offensive prowess, though, should gain him more respect. Second base is a defense-heavy position. The best hitters at the position, like Rod Carew and Joe Morgan, are typically honored, as are the defensive wizards like Bill Mazerowski. Utley manages the best of both worlds, and while his peak was short, his prowess with the bat in particular is more unique at the position, thus giving him a slight edge for selection.

All three former Phillies World Series champions, Rollins, Hamels, and Utley, are worthy candidates for Cooperstown. They are integral to Phillies and baseball history, and it would be a shame for all three to not be enshrined. The numbers are undeniable. Rollins will have a long way to go,Utley is well on his way to selection, and Hamels may be too, should the voting favor him come January.