Only one player was voted into by the Baseball Writers Association of America into this year’s hall of fame class.
That player was Andre Dawson, who got 77.9 percent.
A .279 career hitter with 438 home runs, 1,591 runs batted in and 314 stolen bases, Dawson was the National League Rookie of the Year with the Expos in 1977 and the NL Most Valuable Player in 1987 with the Cubs. The eight-time All-Star underwent 12 knee surgeries during his career but ended up with more than 400 home runs and 300 stolen bases, a feat achieved by only two other players in history, Willie Mays and Barry Bonds.
Perhaps the most frustrated person is Bert Blyleven, who came up just percentage points short.A player needs 75 percent of the vote, and Blyleven got 74.2 percent.
I thought Edgar Martinez would get 40 percent of the vote, but he came in at 36.2 percent. Not a bad showing for his first year.
TNT columnist John McGrath, who voted for Edgar, wrote about Edgar needing to maintain a level of patience when it comes to the hall of fame.
Those of us familiar with Martinez’ prolonged status as The Mariners Hitter You Most Wanted To See At The Plate In A Close Game With The Bases Loaded might find that mentality bordering on stone age, but here’s the good news: the stone-age mentality is not set in stone.
Here’s some more of voting breakdowns.
In the BBWAA election, 539 ballots, including five blanks, were cast by members with 10 or more consecutive years’ service. Players must be named on 75 percent of ballots submitted to be elected. This year, 405 votes were required.
Blyleven – 400 votes, 74.2 percent
Robbie Alomar – 397 votes, 73.7 percent
Jack Morris – 282 votes, 52.3 percent
Barry Larkin – 278 votes, 51.6 percent
Lee Smith – 255 votes, 47.3 percent
Edgar Martinez – 195 votes, 36.2 percent
Tim Raines – 164, 30.4 percent
Mark McGwire – 128, 23.7 percent
Alan Trammell – 121 votes, 22.4 percent
Fred McGriff – 116, 21.5 percent
Don Mattingly – 87 votes, 16.1 percent
Dave Parker – 82, 15.2 percent
Dale Murphy – 63, 11. 7 percent
Love that Dawson made it! When he signed with the Cubs wasn’t there a story that his agent handed the Cubs a blank check and asked them to pay Dawson what they thought was fair? (may have also been the other way around, I can’t remember)….hard to believe that could happen today.
Surprised that Edgar only managed 32.6% of the vote…it will be a LONG time before he gets inducted unfortunately. Damn, Argyros’ and Armstrong’s love affair with Jim Presley!! (sort of like Leiweke affinity for Mora, but I digress
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