Tori Hunter Back On 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot
The 2022 Major League Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot was announced Monday. Some former Minnesota Twins are on the list which is headed by Alex Rodriguez.
Former Twins in their first year of eligibility are Justin Morneau, David Ortiz, Joe Nathan, A.J. Pierzynski. There are 13 newly eligible players this year including:
- Carl Crawford
- Prince Fielder
- Ryan Howard
- Tim Lincecum
- Justin Morneau
- Joe Nathan
- David Ortiz
- Jonathan Papelbon
- Jake Peavy
- A.J. Pierzynski
- Alex Rodriguez
- Jimmy Rollins
- Mark Teixeira
Former Minnesota Twins player Torii Hunter (1997-2007, 2015) was announced part of the 2021 baseball HOF ballot in his first year of eligibility. Other first time players on that list included Tim Hudson, Mark Buehrle, Barry Zito. Nobody was voted in from that list.
The Baseball Writers Association of America does the voting honors. They must have their votes in by the end of the year. The results are supposed to be revealed on Tuesday, January 26, 2022.
Players must have their name selected on at least 75% of submitted ballots to qualify for the Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be July 25, 2022 in Cooperstown, N.Y.
If you look at Hunter's career statistics you might not think he is an obvious Hall of Famer but I believe he is, not because he played most of his career for the Minnesota Twins but because during most of the 19 seasons he played he was the best or one of the best outfielders in the game.
Career statistics are as follows over 19 seasons starting in Minnesota and ending in the Gopher state.
- .277 batting average
- 1,296 runs scored
- 498 doubles, 39 triples, 353 Home Runs
- 1,391 RBI
- 195 Stolen Bases
- 2,452 hits
- Played in 2,372 games
- 5XAll-Star selection
- 9x Gold Glove Award recipient
- 2x Silver Slugger Award
- .331 Career on base percentage
- 661 walks
Career Postseason included 48 games.
- .274 batting average
- 26 runs scored
- 12 doubles, 4 Home Runs
- 20 Runs Batted In
- .461 Slugging Percentage
- 17 walks
Hunter has the 7th most Gold Glove Awards for an outfielder in Major League Baseball history.
His Twins numbers place him toward the top of the franchise in home runs per at bat (23.4).
He had two 20/20 seasons with the Twins.
Drafted by Minnesota in the 1993 Draft that produced Alex Rodriguez (#1 pick by Seattle).
Players are eligible for up to 10 years on the ballot and there are a few reaching that number.
- Curt Schilling, 10th time on ballot
- Roger Clemens, 10th time on ballot
- Barry Bonds, 10th time on ballot
- Sammy Sosa, 10th time on ballot
- Jeff Kent, 9th time on ballot
- Gary Sheffield, 8th time on ballot
- Billy Wagner, 7th time on ballot
- Manny Ramirez, 6th time on ballot
- Omar Vizquel, 5th
- Scott Rolen, 5th
- Andruw Jones, 5th
- Todd Helton, 4th
- Andy Pettitte 4th
- Bobby Abreu, 3rd
Other 2021 first-timers included A.J. Burnett, Michael Cuddyer, Dan Haren, LaTroy Hawkins, Aramis Ramirez, Nick Swisher, Shane Victorino, Barry Zito.
Players have to receive at least 5% support to stay on the ballot the next year.
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