Former Major League Baseball players Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas were all elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Wednesday. All three individuals were first-time electees, becoming the first class to achieve the feat since 1999.
Former Atlanta Braves teammates Maddux and Glavine received 97.2% and 91.9% of the vote, respectively, while slugger Frank Thomas received 83.7 % of the vote. Sadly, Houston Astros alum Craig Biggio missed his chance at baseball’s highest honor by two votes. Biggio received 74.8% of the vote, shy of the 75% threshold.
After noone was elected to the Hall of Fame last year, players from the “Steroid Era” dropped on this year’s ballot. Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds still drew 35.4% and 34.7% of the vote, respectively, but 500 home run club and 3,000 hit club member Rafael Palmeiro received only 4.4%. Due to his low number of votes, Palmeiro will fall of next year’s ballot. In addition, Chicago Cubs’ Sammy Sousa is in trouble after receiving only 7.7% of the vote, but still garnered enough backing to be added to next year’s ballot.
Former MLB players Sean Casey, Paul Lo Duca, Ray Durham, Todd Jones, Richie Sexson and Mike Timlin did not receive a single vote.
