Bagwell, Raines, Pudge voted into MLB Hall of Fame
Three players have been elected to this year's Major League Ball Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson announced the Baseball Writers' Association of America has voted first baseman Jeff Bagwell, outfielder Tim Raines and catcher Ivan Rodriguez into Cooperstown.
Bagwell captured 86.2 percent of the vote, Raines 86 percent and Rodriguez received 76 percent. It was a long wait for Bagwell and Raines to get into the Hall of Fame, while Rodriguez gets in on his first ballot.
The Class
Tim Raines
- 23-year career with the Expos, White Sox, Yankees, A's, Orioles and Marlins
- 7-time All-Star
- 5th all time in stolen bases with 808
- Posted a .385 career on-base percentage
Jeff Bagwell
- 15-year career all with the Astros
- Slugged 449 home runs, with 1,529 RBIs
- National League MVP in 1994
- National League Rookie of the Year in 1991
- 4-time All-Star
- 3-Silver Slugger Awards
- Only first baseman to post 30 home runs, 30 stolen bases in a single season
According to ESPN, Bagwell struggled to gain votes on the hall of fame ballot because of steroid speculation, however, he never tested positive for any PED use.
Ivan Rodriguez
- 21-year career with the Rangers, Marlins, Tigers, Yankees, Astros and Nationals
- 14-time All-Star
- 13-time Gold glove winner
- 1999 American League MVP
Rodriguez joins Johnny Bench as the only catchers elected to Cooperstown on the first ballot. Here was his reaction to being elected to the hall.
Minnesota Twins' fans will remember Rodriguez. The Star Tribune notes that in 178 games against Minnesota he amassed 208 career hits and 29 home runs – more than he hit against any other team.
Left out for another year
Closer Trevor Hoffman came up just short, he received 74 percent support while outfielder Vladimir Guerrero had a strong showing with 71.7 percent.
Edgar Martinez got a little closer at 58.6 percent in his eighth year of eligibility and the duo of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were snubbed again – though each appeared to make progress.
Despite Clemens being a 7-time Cy Young winner and Bonds being baseball's home run king, Sports Illustrated notes both continued to be hurt by their connection to performance-enhancing drugs.