Rolen grew up in Jasper, Indiana. Although drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2nd round of the 1993 amateur draft, he didn't receive playing time until 1997. In that season, he was named National League Rookie of the Year.

On July 29 2002, Rolen was traded, along with Doug Nickle, to the Cardinals for Plácido Polanco, Mike Timlin, and Bud Smith. Later that year, he received an eight-year contract extension.

Rolen's 2004 season was arguably his best. For much of the season, he led the National League in RBI, often ranked among the league leaders in most offensive statistics, and had the highest vote total of any player for the All-Star Game. Despite being injured for the last stretch of the season, he finished the year with a career-high .314 batting average, 34 home runs, and 124 RBI. He finished fourth in the National League MVP voting.

In the 2005 season, Rolen only played 56 games due to a shoulder injury. He eventually opted to have surgery on his shoulder, rather than attempt to let it heal on its own and return for the playoffs. He is expected to return to full-time duties in 2006.

A middle-of-the-order hitter throughout his career, Rolen has a career .285 batting average as well as a .376 on-base percentage and a .515 slugging percentage. He has 1,349 hits, 237 home runs, and 887 RBIs, as well as having scored 834 runs. However, while Rolen is a fine hitter, it is his glove that attracts the most attention. In an eight-year career, Rolen has won six Gold Glove Awards. Rolen is widely regarded as a historically adept fielder - comparable as a defender to Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson and Mike Schmidt. Schmidt himself has said that Rolen is a better gloveman than he was, and many analysts and baseball experts agree.

Scott Rolen is known throughout the baseball community as one of the hardest working players in the game. He was also a star basketball player growing up in Indiana. This athleticism and determination make him one of the game's best third basemen.