Piazza and Griffey Hall of Fame analysis

“You know, there’s so many opportunities in this game that you can sort of find a role and be an underdog”.

Griffey hit 630 home runs. Mike Piazza is the best offensive catcher of all time, as he ranks number one in nearly every offensive categories for catchers. He was the 1,390th pick of that draft, and the only reason the Dodgers took him is Tommy Lasorda was close friends with Piazza’s father.

In some ways they will enter the shrine in Cooperstown, N.Y., together as polar opposites.

Griffey’s talent and effervescence carried him clear of all the din and debate on Wednesday.

Griffey received 437 of 440 votes in his first appearance on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot, a record 99.3 per cent.

Before his election, Piazza was the only eligible player who had a career.

“I think it all adds up and really crystalizes how special this game is”, Piazza said. “It’s a tremendous honor to be elected”. Of the 11 who have been considered for the Hall of Fame, only two, Griffey and Frank Thomas, have been inducted.

“I didn’t want to go in unless I was a Hall of Famer”, he said. “I set goals. But I never set goals to want to be the best of all time”.

After missing out by 28 votes a year ago, Mike Piazza received 365 votes, or 83 percent, in his fourth time on the ballot. Bonds was voted the MVP seven times, and Clemens won seven Cy Youngs, the most in the history of either award.

Born in Donora, P.A., Griffey became the first ever No. 1 overall pick to be enshrined in Cooperstown. If you don’t garner the 75 percent, then you’ve got another chance, but you can only appear on the ballot for 10 years. Clemens is now at 45.2 per cent, Bonds at 44.3.

Griffey will become the third homegrown player of the modern era in the Hall of Fame, joining Reds teammate Barry Larkin and former Tigers and Phillies pitcher Jim Bunning.

“Nervous”, Griffey told MLB.com about getting the call.

Though there never was any evidence that he was a user, some in the electorate said in the past that they did not vote for Piazza because they believe he used steroids. As a player, you put all the numbers up you can, and you work as hard as you can, and it’s like an artist – you put it out there and people can be critical and people can be complimentary. “I was already popular. It wasn’t like I need to jump out and surprise people”.

This video includes images from Getty Images.

Ken Griffey Jr. was a star with both Seattle and Cincinnati. Ken Griffey, Jr. has to be given greater consideration as among the Top 10 of all time.

“I’m superstitious”, he said.

“If you can do one thing exceptionally well and refine that, and improve your weaknesses, you can definitely make a living in this game”.

“The Mets have a unique fan base”, Piazza said. “(Playing for the Mets) is something I can’t describe.

“It’s a mixture of love and frustration”, Piazza said, “and ups and downs”. The emotions are very strong.

“I was really happy for Bagwell. It had a certain grittiness and attitude, and I wanted to roll up my sleeves and dive in”.

The 2016 Hall of Fame class not only boasts to of the generations greatest sluggers, but historical polar opposites. “The fans understand there’s no flawless institution”. It’s a human condition. Writers who had not covered baseball in at least a decade were stripped of their right to vote. A player needs to be named on 75 percent of the ballots to gain election.

Former Giant Jeff Kent, perhaps a victim of the 10-vote limit, posted a modest gain from 14 percent to 16.6 percent. And what will it mean to be the second Met to do so, joining Tom Seaver?

Two candidates on the ballot for the final time this year fell short of election, with Alan Trammell at 40.9 per cent and Mark McGwire at 12.3 per cent. A veterans committee can consider them in future years.