Although the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony seemingly just ended, it is never too soon to look forward to who may be inducted this time next year. This year saw two bonafide legends enshrined, as Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Pizza were honored in Cooperstown. Junior, of course, was one of the most electrifying center fielders of the 1990's and 2000's. Even through his injury woes in the latter half of his career, Griffey Jr. still compiled 630 homers and 10 Gold Glove Awards. Piazza finished his illustrious career with a record 396 homeruns as a catcher, and totaled 427 total bombs combined with all positions played. So, these two were expected to be going in this year. Who is next?
Jeff Bagwell
Playing from 1991 through 2005 at first base for the Houston Astros, Jeff Bagwell was one of the most productive first basemen in the 1990s and early 2000s. He received 315 votes in 2016, which equated to 71.6 percent, falling just short of the needed 75 percent. Bagwell hit 449 career homeruns, making four All-Star Game appearances. He won the 1991 NL Rookie of the Year Award, 1994 AL Most Valuable Player and three Silver Slugger Awards. It will be his sixth appearance on the ballot.
Trevor Hoffman
In the generation where everyone marveled over Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman was also a shutdown Major League closer. Hoffman made seven All-Star appearances, compiled 601 saves, and was top-five in Cy Young Award voting three times. His 601 saves are second all-time to only Rivera, and Hoffman received much less attention while playing in the smaller market of San Diego. Last year was his first year on the ballot, where he received 67.3 percent and 296 votes.
Vladimir Guerrero
The ultimate bad-ball hitter will make his first appearance on the ballot in 2017. Guerrero played 16 years in the Majors, making stops in Montreal, Anaheim, Texas and Baltimore. He won the 2004 AL MVP in his first season with Anaheim, appeared in nine All-Star Games and won eight Silver Slugger Awards. He, like Bagwell, also hit 449 career homeruns. He was a career .318 hitter and finished with 2,590 hits.
Ivan Rodriguez
"Pudge" played 21 seasons as a catcher, and will go down as one of the greatest backstops to ever play the game. He looks to join the 17 other catchers in the Hall of Fame, including the newest inductee, Mike Piazza. Rodriguez was a 14-time All-Star, 13 time Gold Glove Award winner, won seven Silver Slugger Awards and the 1999 AL MVP with the Rangers. He hit 311 career homeruns. It will also be his first appearance on the Hall of Fame ballots.
These four are just a few of the many names eligible for induction in 2017. They will be joining one of the most selective fraternities in the world if inducted, and will go down in history forever as a Hall of Famer.
