Gwynn, Ripken elected to Hall of Fame

JP · 01-09-2007, 04:24 PM

Gwynn, Ripken elected to Hall of Fame

NEW YORK -- Mark McGwire fell far short in his first try for the Hall of Fame, picked by 23.5 percent of voters while Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. easily gained baseball's highest honor.

Tarnished by accusations of steroid use, McGwire appeared on 128 of a record 545 ballots in voting released Tuesday by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Ripken was picked by 537 voters and appeared on 98.53 percent of ballots to finish with the third-highest percentage behind Tom Seaver (98.84) and Nolan Ryan (98.79).

Gwynn received 532 votes for 97.6 percent, the seventh-highest ever.

"It's an unbelievable feeling to know that people think that what you did was worthy," Gwynn said during a conference call. "For me, it's kind of validation. The type of player that I was doesn't get a whole lot of credit in today's game."

Goose Gossage finished third with 388 votes, falling 21 shy of the necessary 409 for election. Jim Rice was fourth with 346, followed by Andre Dawson (309), Bert Blyleven (260), Lee Smith (217) and Jack Morris (202).

McGwire was ninth, followed by Tommy John (125) and Steve Garvey (115), who was in his final year of eligibility.

McGwire's dismal showing raises doubts about whether he will ever get elected -- players can appear on the BBWAA ballot for 15 years -- and whether the shadow of steroids will cost Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro places in Cooperstown.

"I think it's a big, dark cloud, obviously, that's hanging over the game," Gossage told ESPN after the announcement. "I really don't know what to think of this steroids era."

McGwire finished with 583 home runs, seventh on the career list, and hit 70 homers in 1998 to set the season record, a mark Bonds broke three years later.

"I think I would vote for him," Gwynn has said. "I think I would vote for a lot of those guys who are considered to have done it."

Jose Canseco, on the ballot for the first time, received six votes, well below the 5 percent threshold needed to stay on future ballots. In his book two years ago, Canseco accused McGwire and others of using steroids. The book's publication was quickly followed by a congressional hearing on steroids during which McGwire evaded questions, saying: "I'm not here to talk about the past."

Gwynn, who compiled 3,141 hits and a .338 batting average during his 20-year career with the San Diego Padres, said he was fidgety and nervous before he received the call from Jack O'Connell, the BBWAA secretary-treasurer.

"I broke down right away," he said. "My wife came over and put an arm around me."

Ripken played in a major league-record 2,632 consecutive games to break Lou Gehrig's ironman mark of 2,130 and set a new standard for shortstops with 431 home runs and 3,184 hits for the Baltimore Orioles.

"I'm very proud of what the streak represents. Not that you were able to play in all those games, but that you showed up to play every single day," Ripken said last week.

Harold Baines, who received 29 votes, reached the 5 percent threshold. Bret Saberhagen got seven votes in his first appearance on the ballot and Ken Caminiti, who admitted using steroids during his career and died in 2004, received two.

Gwynn and Ripken raised to 43 the total of players elected in their first year of eligibility. That doesn't include Lou Gehrig (1939) and Roberto Clemente (1973), who were chosen in special elections.

Gwynn and Ripken each spent their entire major-league career with one team, a rarity these days. They will be inducted during ceremonies held July 29 at the Hall in Cooperstown, N.Y., along with anyone elected from the Veterans Committee vote, which will be announced Feb. 27.

Ripken spent 21 seasons with Baltimore, hitting .276. A 19-time All-Star, he won the AL Rookie of the Year award in 1982, the AL MVP award in 1983 and 1991 and was a two-time Gold Glove shortstop.

Gwynn broke into the majors in 1982 and won eight batting titles to tie Honus Wagner's NL record. He made 15 All-Star teams and won five Gold Gloves as an outfielder.

Source: ESPN.com

StylesÃ‚â„¢ · 01-09-2007, 08:24 PM

Both these guys deserved it and I congratulate them....McGwire wasn't even close, and Goose Gassage kind of got screwed, 7 votes away and they reject him, he'll get in their soon, don't worry, but nice to see Gwynn and Ripkin in the Hall...

giantmetfan06 · 01-09-2007, 09:12 PM

very proud. Even though theres no proof that McGwire juiced up, theres still ENOUGH evidence(congress) to not get my vote. Everyone is all ike,"OMG those two got in and McGwire didn't, I can't believe it. This is an outrage!!!" Well.... go suck it..... cause i 4 1 don't care at all for McGwire.

The Wonder Chimp · 01-09-2007, 11:24 PM

ya, they guys that got in deserved it, minus Goose Gossage....one of my fav old players....McGwire didnt deserve it, idiot juicer

JP · 01-10-2007, 04:29 PM

Ripken and Gwynn do deserve it. They are both really good baseball players and had awesome careers. When you look at a Record book, you'll see those mens name down to the ones that count. Both played the game well and were clean, which is great.

Mac is a steriod user and doesn't deserve anything.

Bballbarry · 01-12-2007, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by giantmetfan06
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very proud. Even though theres no proof that McGwire juiced up, theres still ENOUGH evidence(congress) to not get my vote. Everyone is all ike,"OMG those two got in and McGwire didn't, I can't believe it. This is an outrage!!!" Well.... go suck it..... cause i 4 1 don't care at all for McGwire.

I have yet to hear anyone say "OMG those two got in and McGwire didn't, I can't believe it. This is an outrage!!!"

Well deserved on both players account and not much of a surpise. It was assured the day after they retired. My only surpise was riken not being elected on 100% of the ballot. Also i dont see how cal got 98% but gwynn got 1% less. How can you feel ripken does and gwynn doesnt? It doesnt matter but i dont understand the voters reasoning behind this.

Also i noticed Canseco got some votes but not enough to stay on the ballot. Cant undertand anyone voting for him

Gwynn, Ripken elected to Hall of Fame

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