Maddux, Glavine, Thomas elected to Hall of Fame

[Auggie]

NEW YORK -- One of the most majestic induction classes in the history of the National Baseball Hall of Fame was set on Wednesday with the announcement that Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas were elected by eligible writers of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, all of them by big margins.

On the ballot for the second time, Craig Biggio, who had 3,060 hits in 20 seasons, all with the Astros, did not get the necessary 75 percent, falling 0.2 percent shy of induction.

Already to be inducted in July are three of the greatest managers of all time -- Bobby Cox, Joe Torre and Tony La Russa, all selected by the Expansion Era Committee last month.

That means six living members are heading toward one of the grandest Induction Weekends from July 26-27 in Cooperstown, N.Y. The results of this year's BBWAA vote were in stark contrast to that of last year, when the writers didn't elect anyone.

MORE: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/greg-maddux-tom-glavine-frank-thomas-elected-to-hall-of-fame?ymd=20140108&content_id=66395522&vkey=news_mlb

Congrats to the class of 2014

[Capt. Obvious]

1. And Palmero drops off the ballot

[joeybee12]

2. Bonds and Clemens got too many votes...don't understand why Piazza is so high his second

year, while Schilling is much lower also in his second year...yeah, he's a major douchebag, still...

[hughee99]

3. While Schilling had some great years,

He never won a Cy Young, and his 216 wins total isn't close to one of those "automatic" hall of fame stats (like 300 wins). Piazza might be the best hitting catcher ever (granted he hit in the steroid era), finished with over 400 HR's and a career .308 batting avg mostly as a catcher. The 8 or 9 Silver Slugger awards and 12 All-Star appearances help too (Schilling only had 5, I think). His numbers and awards jump out a lot more than Schilling's do, and I think a lot of voters look at that.

[joeybee12]

4. Well, it's clear Schilling won't get in...he's not getting enough

votes...I always thought he was slightly less than 50-50 to get in...he'll probably finish about 5% below in his final year...bookmark this for the next decade!

[madinmaryland]

5. Probably got all of his votes from some Roid Sox writers. nt

[ProfessorGAC]

7. Schilling Is Overrated

In his best year, he wasn't even the best pitcher on his own team.

In addition, his tangibles may me go "hmmm". 25 years old. 95 mph fastball and 91 mph slider. 35 years old 96 mph fastball and a 93 mph slider with more movement. During the height of the steroid era.
GAC

[Upton]

6. Jeff Kent is the all time leader among 2nd baseman in HRs..

and his career RBI total is surpassed by only Hornsby, Lajoie and Gehringer..all of whom are in the Hall of Fame.

I didn't expect him to get in, but you would think he's better than 15%. At least he'll still be eligible.

[Auggie]

8. Had he played on the East Coast longer …

[El Supremo]

9. Who among these has not made it? >

Top 10 Highest Batting Averages Since 1941

1. Tony Gwynn, San Diego (1994) .394 (strike shortened season)
2. George Brett, Kansas City (1980) .390
3. Ted Williams, Boston (1957) .388
Rod Carew, Minnesota (1977) .388
5. Larry Walker, Colorado (1999) .379
6. Stan Musial, St. Louis (1948) .376
7. Tony Gwynn, San Diego (1997) .372

[hughee99]

10. Larry Walker. Why is this relevant, though?

IMHO, you can't make a real argument for Larry Walker without leaning HEAVILY on the "Tony Perez/Jim Rice bar lowering standard" that has been set, and keep in mind BOTH of them got in more than 15 years after they played their last game. Perhaps in another 7 or 8 years, as the term "Hall of Famer" comes to mean less and less, Walker will get in as well.

[Upton]

11. Larry Walker played in Colorado before the humidor

just like virtually every other Rockie hitter during that time, Galarraga , Bichette, etc..his numbers were pumped up there.

Walker

Colorado BA (10 years): .334
Montreal BA (6 years): .281
St Louis BA (2 years): .286