The Baseball Writers of America have chosen to induct four players into the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2018, Former NL MVP Chipper Jones, Former AL MVP Vladimir Guerrero, slugger Jim Thome, and closer Trevor Hoffman. It was speculated that Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were close contenders with Trevor Hoffman for the fourth spot. These four talents will join Jack Morris and Alan Trammell who were elected in December by the Modern Baseball Era committee at the museum’s induction ceremony in July.

Receiving the most votes was Chipper Jones, who spent all nineteen years of his career playing for the Atlanta Braves and still holds the record for the most home runs for the franchise. The third baseman won the 1999 NL MVP, he was an eight-time All-Star and two-time silver slugger while capturing a World Series title once in 1995. Although Jones may not have been known for his defense he was still able to capture the eyes of his peers when playing.

“When we need you to catch that ball and turn that double play or make that tough play on a slow roller in the ninth inning, are you going to make that play? Chipper was that guy,” said Mark Texeira said to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick when asked about Chipper Jones fielding ability at third base. Chipper received the most votes and will have his plaque forever placed in the baseball hall of fame this coming July.

Chipper Jones gets his call for the Baseball Hall of Fame ???

(? via @Braves)pic.twitter.com/TRh5waMGNL

— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) January 24, 2018

Closely following Jones in the voting was none other than Vladimir Guerrero who had a career spanning sixteen years while spending the majority of his time with the Los Angeles Angels and the Montreal Expos while also spending a year with the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles. Guerrero won the 2004 NL MVP, a nine-time all-star and eight-time gold glove winner. He was an outfielder during the span of his career in which he was known for the sheer arm strength he possessed.

David Schoenfield, ESPN  professed about Vlad’s power. “When Guerrero came up to bat, you didn’t turn the channel or head to the concessions. Nobody had a swing like him and few produced like him. Just look at these two walk-off home runs — you couldn’t pitch to him because he could hit any pitch.” Not only was Guerrero known for his fielding ability, but he was able to intimidate pitchers because of his bat.

Vladimir Guerrero gets the call for the Baseball Hall of Fame ? ???

(via @Angels)pic.twitter.com/BD3ExJWBn4

— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) January 24, 2018

The third inductee from the 2018 Voting was Jim Thome. He spent twenty-two years with various ball clubs throughout his career, spending most of his time with the Cleveland Indians. He closed out his Major League career with an incredible 612 home runs and 1699 RBI’s. Thome was elected in his first year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame receiving  89.8% of the votes. Thome was a first baseman and eventually transformed into a designated hitter. He showed his power as a designated hitter through the end of his career finishing his last year with 25 home runs.

Jim Thome gets the call from the Hall ?

(via @Indians)pic.twitter.com/pdSPgLvXZO

— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) January 24, 2018

The fourth and final player that will be inducted in 2018 for the baseball Hall of Fame is Trevor Hoffman. He spent eighteen years and almost all of them with the San Diego Padres. Hoffman beat out Edgar Martinez for that last spot receiving 79.9% of the vote, only 9.5% higher than Martinez. Hoffman was a seven-time All-star but his most notable statistic is that over his career he racked up 601 saves which was the MLB record until Mariano Rivera broke his mark. 

Dennis Lin of the San Diego Tribune noted his talents on the mound. “Hoffman’s change-up was one of the iconic pitches in the sport. He learned the grip in 1994, after a shoulder injury diminished a once-formidable fastball.” Being an all-star definitely showed with his amazing pitching arising from his signature change-up. Not only did Hoffman capitalize on his fastball but eventually he changed the game with his development of his change-up.

Trevor Hoffman finds out he’s the latest closer heading to Cooperstown ?

(via @Padres) pic.twitter.com/1I0SyfkJQ5

— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) January 24, 2018

All four of these players have been immortalized into the baseball Hall of Fame this year. Chipper Jones, Vladimir Guerrero, Jim Thome, and Trevor Hoffman will have their plaques put into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 29 during a ceremony to celebrate their achievements left within the game of baseball.

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