The newest inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame were announced on Wednesday, and threeex-players will be joining the class of the immortals. Former Houston Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell, former Montreal Expos (among others) outfielder Tim Raines, and long-time Texas Rangers catcher Ivan Rodriguez were selected by the BBWAA this year.
Of the 442 ballots cast, Bagwell received 381 votes (good for 86.2%, with 75% necessary for induction) in his seventh year on the ballot. Raines received 380 votes (86.0%) in his tenth and final year on the ballot. Rodriguez just snuck in this year, receiving 336 votes (76.0%).
Over his 15 season career, all of which were spent in the majors with Houston after an ill-advised trade by the Boston Red Sox, Bagwell hit .297/.408/.948 with 449 home runs. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1991, the NL MVP in 1994, and was named to four All-Star teams over his career. Bagwell also claimed the NL’s Gold Glove award at first base in 1994, and also took home three Silver Slugger awards. He played in just one Word Series over his career – Houston’s four game sweep at the hands of the Chicago White Sox in 2005.
Raines had a 23-year career in the majors, playing for a total of six teams (including four magical games with the Baltimore Orioles in 2001) and hitting .294/.385/.425 with 808 stolen bases. Raines was a seven-time All-Star, the runner-up to Fernando Valenzuela for the 1981 NL Rookie of the Year award, and took home a Silver Slugger in 1986 while playing for the Montreal Expos. Raines was a member of the Yankees’ 1996 World Championship team, and is widely regarded as the second-best leadoff hitter ever, behind just the legendary Rickey Henderson.
Over his 21-year career, 13 seasons of which were spent with the Texas Rangers, Rodriguez hit .296/.334/.464 with 311 home runs. He won the 1999 AL MVP award, made 14 All-Star teams, won 13 Gold Gloves behind the plate, and took home seven Silver Sluggers. He was a member of the 2003 Florida Marlins team that won the World Series, winning the NLCS MVP that year for the Marlins. Pudge is just the second catcher to ever earn induction in his first year on the ballot, along with Reds stalwart Johnny Bench.
These three will join Braves executive John Schuerholz and former MLB Commissioner Bud Selig at the July induction ceremony in Cooperstown.
Falling just short of induction this year was first-timer Vladimir Guerrero (317 votes, 71.7%), and in his second year on the ballot, Trevor Hoffman (327 votes, 74.0%), both of whom look poised to gain induction next year.
Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens both also made gains in their fifth year on the ballot, with Bonds rising to 238 votes and 53.8%, and Clemens jumping to 239 votes and 54.1%. Edgar Martinez also got a huge boost, jumping to 259 votes and 58.6% in his eighth year on the ballot. Another player to get a jump – Mike Mussina in his fourth year of eligibility, rising to 229 votes and 51.8%.
Curt Schilling took a hit in his fifth year on the ballot, falling to 199 votes and 45.0%, likely due to his controversial comments about lynching journalists last year.
Lee Smith fell off the ballot in his 15th and final year, drawing 151 votes and 34.2%, short of his high watermark of 290 votes and 50.6% in 2012.
A handful of players will remain on the ballot next year after receiving at least 5% of the vote – Fred McGriff, Jeff Kent, Larry Walker, Gary Sheffield, Billy Wagner, and Sammy Sosa. None received more than 25% of the vote.
Only one first-timer aside from Rodriguez or Guerrero received enough votes to remain on the ballot next year – Manny Ramirez, who received 105 votes and 23.8% of the voting.
The ballot for the 2018 induction is highlighted by Braves legend Chipper Jones and slugger Jim Thome, while Scott Rolen and Andruw Jones represent similar candidates – elite defenders and above average hitters with short careers. Omar Vizquel, one of the best defensive shortstops ever, will also be on eligible for induction, and his case will be an interesting one. Johnny Damon, who had a weak peak but a long career, and Johan Santana, who had a strong peak but a short career, also will be on the ballot for the first time next year.
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