Today, the MLB Hall of Fame in Cooperstown announced they’d induct four new members. This induction was a good sign as they inducted three first ballot HOFs in Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz, and Randy Johnson. It also is the first time in sixty years that four players will get inducted in the same season.
Also, great to see Craig Biggio get inducted into the Hall of Fame, he just missed getting in last year. Biggio is another former Cape Cod Baseball League alumnus getting inducted to add to Frank Thomas who was inducted last year.
Here’s a little bio on all four inductees.
Randy Johnson- 25 seasons (303-166) 3.03 ERA, 4,875 K’s, 10-time All-Star, 5 time Cy-Young Award Winner, 2001 World Series Champion (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Johnson was apart of the best pitching duos ever (Curt Schilling). Johnson and Schilling led the way for the Diamondbacks to win the 2001 World Series over the New York Yankees who were close to winning their fourth straight World Series title.
Johnson was voted into ten All-Star games, won five Cy-Young awards, and won 300 games. The moment I can recall from Johnson was his perfect game with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the game was on ESPN that night and I was amazed that even at forty years of age, he still had the ability to dominate.
Randy is also one of 72 pitchers to complete the immaculate inning. That’s only done when the pitcher strikes out the side on nine pitches.
Pedro Martinez- 18 seasons (219-100) 2.93 ERA, 3,154 K’s, 8-time All-Star, 3-time Cy-Young, 2nd for MVP in 1999 (Boston), 2004 World Series Champion (Boston)
For anyone under the age of thirty, they remember Pedro Martinez pitching for the Boston Red Sox and also dominating baseball. He was also one of the biggest characters in the game.
He was part of the “Idiots” with Kevin Millar, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, and many others that won the World Series in 2004 for the Red Sox. 1999 was his finest season. He won the Cy Young, finished 2nd in the MVP race, and also led the Red Sox to the playoffs.
He always prided himself on doing all that he did in a “clean” way. That means a lot to a fan, especially a Bostonian, like myself, who got to watch him play for the Red Sox.
Craig Biggio- 20 seasons, .281 BA, 291 HRs 1175 RBIs, 3,060 hits, 1st Houston Astro inducted, 7-time All-Star, played three positions (C, 2B, CF)
When I think of the Houston Astros, I think of Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman, and Craig Biggio. Biggio was in Houston for all twenty seasons and he was one of the biggest class acts in all of sports.
Biggio was a 1st round pick in 1987 MLB Draft, he was a Cape Leaguer with Yarmouth-Dennis. Biggio is a member of the 3000 hit club and all of them are in the HOF that are retired.
The great accomplishment for Biggio was being part of the 2005 Astros who were World Series runner-ups. Unfortunately that was the only World Series trip the team would make in his long career.
John Smoltz- 21 seasons, 8-time All-Star, part of Atlanta Braves 14-straight NL East titles, (213-155) 3.33 ERA and 3,084 K’s, 154 saves in his career, played SP and CP in his career, 1996 NL Cy-Young Winner, 1995 World Series Champion,
Smoltz is the 3rd member of the 90’s Braves teams to get inducted in the Hall of Fame after Maddux and Glavine were inducted last season.
He’s the only pitcher ever to record 200 wins and 150 saves. Keep in mind he missed the entire 2000 season due to injury. Otherwise he would’ve remained a starter for the rest of his career.
Smoltz stuck around a long-time in the game and was a pitcher who succeeded as a closer and as a starter.
Photo Courtesy: MLB Hall of Fame, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Biggio’s 3,000th hit (Houston Astros), and Atlanta Braves
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