Detroit Tigers: Rapid reaction to the 2018 Hall of Fame Election

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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 02: Former Atlanta Braves player Chipper Jones shakes hands with Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers after being introduced as a member of the All Turner Field Team prior to the game at Turner Field on October 2, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers legends Jack Morris and Alan Trammell will be joined by four new Hall of Famers after the BBWAA’s election results were announced today.

The newest Detroit Tigers to make the Hall of Fame will have some company in Cooperstown. Jack Morris and Alan Trammell will be joined in the Class of 2018 by Chipper Jones, Jim Thome, Vladimir Guerrero and Trevor Hoffman.

Chipper Jones

Jones was elected in his first year on the ballot, earning 92.2% of the votes. Jones played with the Atlanta Braves from 1993-2012. He was primarily a third baseman, although he also spent time in left field. He finished his illustrious career with 2,726 hits, 462 home runs, a 141 OPS+ and a bWAR of 85.

Jim Thome

Thome, like Jones, was also elected on his first year on the ballot. He garnered 89.8% of the vote. Thome played for six different teams in his career, spending 13 seasons with the Cleveland Indians. All told he mashed 612 home runs, the eighth highest total in history. He is also seventh all-time in walks and second in strikeouts.

Vladimir Guerrero

Guerrero earned 71.7% of the vote last year, his first on the ballot. He sailed through in year two, getting a whopping 92.9% of the vote. The former Expo finished his career with a .318 average and 449 home runs. A nine time All-Star and eight time Silver Slugger winner, Guerrero was the 2004 AL MVP while a member of the Los Angeles Angels.

Trevor Hoffman

Closing it out (get it?) is former Padres closer Trevor Hoffman, who earned 79.9% of the votes in his third year on the ballot. Hoffman finished his career with 601 saves, second only to the great Mariano Rivera.

A big congratulations to the Hall of Fame class of 2018. Trammell and Morris are in very good company with this group.

A few more reactions from today’s voting results:

The Hall of Fame ballot featured three former Tigers and one former Tigers coach. Here is how they fared.

Gary Sheffield

Sheffield just completed his fourth year on the Hall of Fame ballot. The previous three years had resulted in 11.7%, 11.6% and 13.3% of the votes for Detroit’s designated hitter from 2007-2008. This year he only appeared on 11.1% percent of ballots. With six more years left, Sheffield and his 509 career home runs have a long road ahead of them to reach the 75% threshold necessary for Hall of Fame induction.

Johnny Damon

Damon, who spent the 2010 season with the Tigers, was named on 1.9% of the ballots. Players need to be on at least 5% of the ballots in order to remain on the ballot the following year, so Damon’s Hall of Fame candidacy is over.

Aubrey Huff

Huff spent a half season with the Tigers in 2009. Like a handful of players each season, he was placed on the ballot simply because his career lasted more than 10 seasons. He was never a serious Hall of Fame candidate and did not receive a single vote for enshrinement.

Omar Vizquel

While not technically a Tiger, Vizquel spent a few seasons coaching first base and instructing the infielders in Detroit. He was a dynamite defensive shortstop during his 24-year career, spent primarily with the Cleveland Indians. He finished with 37.0% of the vote in his first year on the ballot.

Mike Mussina #35 of the New York Yankees pitches to the New York Mets at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2006 in Bronx, New York. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /

Four players getting inducted helps clear out what has become a massively overcrowded Hall of Fame ballot. However, there is still a lot of talent remaining. Players who earn between 5% and 75% of the votes remain on the ballot for next year.

The most polarizing figure on the ballot is Edgar Martinez, who saw his percentage climb up to 70.4%. Next year will be his final year on the ballot. Seattle’s longtime designated hitter will likely get enough support next season to finally hear his name called for Cooperstown.

Mike Mussina earned 63.5% of the vote last year. The former Orioles and Yankees hurler has been trending upward since arriving on the ballot. With five years left, Mussina should hear his name called in the next few years.

Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens have continued to receive just over 50% of the votes. With four more years on the ballot, their continued presence will remain a source of controversy through 2022.

A few more quick notes:

Fred McGriff only has one more year left on the ballot. He received just 23.2% of the vote this year and is unlikely, barring a miracle, to get inducted next season.

Vizquel, along with Scott Rolen and Andruw Jones, are the three first year players who lived to see another year on the ballot. Rolen received 10.2% of the vote and Jones had 7.3%.

Johan Santana and Jamie Moyer each had 2.4% of the votes and will fall off the ballot after one season. Santana in particular deserved a longer look but an overcrowded ballot did not give him much of a chance.

NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 04: Mariano Rivera #42 of the New York Yankees throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees won 7-3 to win the series 4 games to 2. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

The 2019 Hall of Fame ballot will bring another wave of supremely talented players into the fold. Returners who received over 50% this year include Edgar Martinez, Mike Mussina, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling.

They will be joined by one surefire first ballot Hall of Famer in Mariano Rivera, as well as four other players who have a solid Hall of Fame case. Those players include:

Roy Halladay

Halladay was an ace pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies from 1998-2013. He recently passed away in a tragic plane crash at age 40. A toxicology report indicated high levels of amphetamines, morphine and ambien in his system, a sad revelation that could tarnish his reputation heading into his first year on the Hall ballot.

Todd Helton

A lifelong Rockie, Helton finished his career with 2,519 hits, 369 home runs, a 133 OPS+ and a 61.2 bWAR. He slashed .316/.414/.539 and made five All-Star games. Coors Field has hurt the candidacy of fellow Rockie Larry Walker, so it will be interesting to see how the voters treat Helton’s case.

Andy Pettitte

Pettitte spent 15 of his 18 seasons in the Bronx, with three seasons in Houston sandwiched in between. He finished his career with 256 wins, a 3.85 ERA and 2,448 strikeouts. He made three All-Star appearances and won 19 postseason games. While his career was very solid, he is behind Mike Mussina and Curt Schilling and seems unlikely to get enough support for the Hall of Fame.

Roy Oswalt

Despite his short career, Oswalt accomplished a lot in his 13 years. He finished in the top-six in Cy Young voting six times and was a three time All-Star. He finished his career with a 3.36 ERA and a 49.9 bWAR. Oswalt’s lack of longevity will likely keep him out of the Hall.

In addition to those five newcomers the ballot will also include Lance Berkman, Miguel Tejada and Michael Young. Former Tigers Placido Polanco and Freddy Garcia will be on the ballot for the first time as well.

Next: Who will be the next Tigers Hall of Famer?

Advanced stats, steroid allegations and the outdated “rule of 10” are just a few of the controversies surrounding the Hall of Fame voting in recent years. Still, another solid class of Hall of Famers joins Cooperstown. They will be joined by two Detroit legends, righting a couple of wrongs that have been plaguing the Tigers for years. While it may be a while until the next Tiger is inducted into Cooperstown, at least the fans will have something to celebrate in July when the induction ceremony takes place.

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