SPORTS

Wednesday's roundup: Hall of Fame rewards Bagwell, Raines for patience

Ronald Blum
Associated Press

New York — Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines and former Tiger Pudge Ivan Rodriguez were elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame on Wednesday, earning the honor as Trevor Hoffman and Vladimir Guerrero fell just short.

Steroids-tainted stars Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were passed over for the fifth straight year by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. But they received a majority of votes for the first time and could be in position to gain election in coming years.

Bagwell, the Astros legend on the ballot for the seventh time after falling 15 votes short last year, received 381 of 442 votes for 86.2 percent. Players needed 75 percent, which came to 332 votes.

“Anxiety was very, very high,” Bagwell said. “I wrote it on a ball tonight. It was kind of cool.”

In his 10th and final year of eligibility, Raines, a former Expos star, was on 380 ballots (86 percent). He started at 24.3 percent in 2008, jumping from 55 percent in 2015 to 69.8 percent last year.

“Last night probably the worst night I’ve had out of the 10 years,” he said. “I knew I was close, but I wasn’t sure.”

Rodriguez , at 45 the youngest current Hall of Fame member, received 336 votes (76 percent) to join Johnny Bench in 1989 as the only catchers to be elected on the first ballot.

Hoffman was five votes shy and Guerrero 15 short.

“Falling short of this class is disappointing,” Hoffman said. “I am truly humbled to have come so close. I hope to one day soon share a Hall of Fame celebration with my family, friends, teammates and all of San Diego.”

Edgar Martinez was next at 58.6 percent, followed by Clemens at 54.1, Bonds at 53.8, Mike Mussina at 51.8, Curt Schilling at 45, Lee Smith at 34.2 and Manny Ramirez at 23.8.

Players will be inducted July 30 during ceremonies in Cooperstown, N.Y., along with former MLB commissioner Bud Selig and retired Kansas City and Atlanta executive John Schuerholz, both elected last month by a veterans committee.

A’s sign Plouffe

Infielder Trevor Plouffe finalized a $5.25 million, one-year contract with the Oakland A’s and is expected to be the primary third baseman if healthy.

Plouffe can earn an additional $750,000 in bonuses based on plate appearances as part of the agreement announced Wednesday: $150,000 for 350, and $300,000 each for 450 and 525.

The 30-year-old provides versatility as he can also play first.

Around the horn

Right fielder Kole Calhoun and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a $26 million, three-year contract. Calhoun, 29, won a Gold Glove in 2015. He hit .271 with 18 homers, 75 RBIs and 91 runs last season.

... Outfielder Brandon Guyer agreed to a $5 million, two-year contract with the Cleveland Indians. Guyer, who turns 31 on Jan. 28, hit .333 with two homers and 14 RBIs in 38 games for Cleveland.