His 630 home runs are the sixth-most in baseball history.
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One was the first overall pick who fulfilled every bit of his potential.
Piazza, meanwhile, was a 62nd-round draft choice, taken by the Dodgers at the urging of his godfather – then Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda.
Griffey’s talent and effervescence carried him clear of all the din and debate on Wednesday. Now, there are four above Cobb’s percentage as follows: Griffey Jr, 99.32% – 2016; Tom Seaver, 98.84% – 1992; Nolan Ryan, 98.79% – 1999; and Cal Ripken Jr, 98.53% – 2007.
“It’s truly an honor”, he said.
“It’s truly an honor to be elected and to have the highest percentage is definitely a shock”, Griffey told MLB.com. He has one year of eligibility remaining and doesn’t figure to make the Hall of Fame, barring a miracle in 2017.
Induction ceremonies at Cooperstown are July 24.
“I’m surprised he didn’t go in with 100 percent”, said Lennon. Seen as a likely inductee this time after building to 69.9 percent previous year, Piazza was named on 365 ballots (83 percent). “It’s unique and unlike any other sport – you can have two guys go into the Hall, like Ken Griffey and myself, from two completely opposite ends of the spectrum”.
Last year, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press didn’t vote for Pedro Martinez or Randy Johnson because he felt they would get in without his vote and other players might need it more – and he was right. Of the 11 who have been considered for the Hall of Fame, only two, Griffey and Frank Thomas, have been inducted. If not voting for Griffey was done to get attention, it’s a sad example of a person charged with creating the story intentionally becoming the story themselves.
Fair enough. But, if you did have a vote, would you cast it for Bonds and Clemens?
Cincinnati celebrated and gave Griffey had a huge homecoming when he was traded to the Reds before the 2000 season, but injuries hampered him in 8-1/2 seasons here (2000-2008). “I was already popular. That for me was something they really embraced”.
With his backward baseball cap and million-watt smile, Griffey’s popularity transcended baseball in the 1990s to include video games and even a chocolate bar. He said when he came back “Wow”. “I looked at him and said he was going to do it”. “That’s the country we live in”. “So this is something that for me that words can’t describe”. The emotions are very strong. “You know, there’s so many opportunities in this game that you can sort of find a role and be an underdog”. No. Spare me the witch hunt for anyone who fails to vote for him.
“I think it all adds up and really crystalizes how special this game is”, Piazza said. I understand there is no flawless institution. It’s the human condition that we all make mistakes.
And they will wonder what the fuss was all about as they ask, “So maybe they did a ton of steroids”.
A number of players fell short of the 75 percent of the voted needed for induction.
Tim Raines made a good run.
San Diego Padres relief pitcher Trevor Hoffman received 296 votes. The board cut the maximum time a player can stand for election from 15 years to 10, the sooner to dissolve the steroid stains from the process.
No player has ever been voted in unanimously by the BBWAA, and that means no one.
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He got in on his fourth year on the ballot. The unanimous choice as the National League victor of the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award in 1993, Piazza seven times placed in the top 10 of MVP voting, including runner-up finishes in the NL in 1996 to Ken Caminiti and 1997 to Larry Walker.
