The 2019 MLB Hall of Fame class was announced Tuesday and was headlined by two first eligible ballot inductees. In total, four players were inducted. The class included the most successful closer of all time as well as arguably the best pitcher of the 2000s.
As the results were released, baseball fans were interested to see how Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens would fair. Bonds is the home runs leader while Clemens is the only pitcher with seven or more Cy Young awards. In 2018 Clemens and Bonds respectively received 57.3% and 56.4% of the ballots. A player has to be on 75% of the ballots to be inducted. This year they respectively received 59.5% and 59.1% of the ballots.
Here is a list of who is a part of the 2019 Hall of Fame class.
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera finished his career with 652 saves and 952 games finished, both being the most in MLB history. He became the first ever to be named on 100% of the ballots. The righty also had 82 wins, 1,173 strikeouts and a 2.21 ERA over his 19-year career. The dominant closer played his entire career with the New York Yankees and helped them win five World Series titles. He was also named the 1999 World Series MVP.
Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay is one of the greatest pitchers of the 2000s who played 16 years in the MLB with the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies. He is one of six pitchers to win the Cy Young in both leagues. In his first postseason game, he threw a no-hitter in a 4-0 Win over the Cincinnati Reds. Over a 16 year career, Halladay threw a perfect game, a no-hitter, won two Cy Youngs and finished with a 3.38 ERA, 203 wins and 2,117 strikeouts. Halladay, who passed away in 2017, is the first player since Christy Mathewson to be inducted posthumously on the first ballot.
Edgar Martinez
Edgar Martinez was inducted on his last year on the ballot after an 18-year career, all with the Seattle Mariners. The third baseman and DH won five silver sluggers and was the two time AL batting champion as well as the one time AL RBI leader. He finished his career batting .312, with 309 home runs, 1,261 RBIs and an .873 OPS.
Mike Mussina
Mike Mussina pitched for 18 years, all with the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees. He won a minimum of 11 games in 17 straight seasons, an AL record. Mussina was a seven times Gold Glove winner as well as a one time MLB wins leader. Over his 18 year career, Mussina finished with a 3.68 ERA, with 270 wins and 2,813 strikeouts. Mussina is one of two pitchers to retire the season after winning 20 plus games with the other being Hall of Famer, Sandy Koufax.
Feature Image From USA Today.
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