Eight former New York Yankees players were disappointed to learn on Wednesday that they did not secure a high enough percentage of the Baseball Writers Association of America’s vote to gain induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame. In fact, for the first time since 1996, the Baseball Writers Association of America elected no one to the Hall of Fame. Former Houston Astros 2B Craig Biggio was closest to hitting the 75 percent threshold, falling just 39 votes short of election.
Tim Raines, who spent three seasons with the Yankees, led all former Bronx Bombers at the ballot box, securing 52.2 percent of the vote. This number represented a slight jump from the 48.7 percent that the seven-time All-Star received in last year’s voting. In only his sixth season on the ballot, Raines seems to have a moderate chance of securing enough support to gain induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame at some point in years to come.
Roger Clemens, one of the most controversial players on the ballot, was second amongst former Yankees. The man known as “Rocket” received just 37.6 percent of the votes cast, the lowest total ever by a pitcher who had 300 victories. The 354-game winner’s once strong candidacy was marred by allegations of steroids use and a federal trial for perjury in front of Congress. Clemens’ Hall of Fame chances are be significantly diminished after the trial, and he appears to be a long way away from ever securing induction.
Former Yankee Captain and first baseman Don Mattingly, a fan favorite during his tenure in New York, came up short yet again in his thirteenth year on the ballot. Mattingly received just 13.2 percent of the votes cast, well short of the threshold for enshrinement. At this point, it seems his best chance for induction may be to hope that the Veterans Committee deems him worthy of a spot in the Hall of Fame in the future.
Former Yankees Bernie Williams (3.3%), Kenny Lofton (3.2%), and David Wells (0.90%) failed to secure the five percent of the vote needed to remain on the ballot in years going forward. Mike Stanton and Rondell White each received zero votes in their first year on the ballot, effectively eliminating them from further consideration.
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