Rice gets into the HOF finally
Well deserved and my favorite player as a kid gets in.
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/b...ome&position=0
Sox’ Rice gets call to Hall, finally
By Michael Silverman
In results just announced by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the Baseball Writers’ Association, the Red Sox [team stats]’ power-hitting left fielder gained the necessary 75 percent minimum of all ballots cast -- to gain entry in his 15th and final year of eligibility.
Rice got in but barely, finishing with 76.4 percent of the vote.
Rice played 16 seasons, all with the Red Sox, from 1974 through 1989. American League MVP in 1978, Rice finished in the top five of MVP voting five other times and was an eight-time All-Star, who led the league in home runs three times, RBI twice, slugging percentage twice, hits once and triples once and rank 56th on the alltime RBI list (1,451) and 55th in home runs (382).
He is the only player to hit 35 home runs and collect at least 200 hits in three consecutive seasons.
A steep drop-off in his later years, falling 18 home runs shy of the magical 400-home run career mark, finishing with two points shy of a .300 career batting average, a proclivity for hitting into double plays, no Gold Gloves and possibly a frosty relationship with the media contributed to the long wait Rice had.
But in recent years, his cause had gained momentum as the extent of the steroid era became clearer. That era began a few years after Rice retired. Last year, Rice finished with 72.2 percent of the vote, 16 ballots short.
Rice will join Rickey Henderson, the all-time steals and runs scored leader, who was elected in his first year of eligibility with 94.8 percent of the vote.
msilverman@bostonherald.com
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Originally Posted by Buff
