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Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines, Ivan Rodriguez elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY Sports
Tim Raines produced a lifetime .385 on-base percentage and ranks fifth all-time with 808 stolen bases.

A former unanimous MVP, an elite leadoff hitter and one of the game’s most complete catchers were elected Wednesday into Baseball’s Hall of Fame, which continues to slowly open its doors to players linked to performance-enhancing drugs.

Iconic Houston Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell, base-stealer extraordinaire Tim Raines and 13-time Gold Glove winner Ivan “Pudge’’ Rodriguez earned baseball’s most coveted distinction when they were named on more than 75% of the ballots cast by eligible members of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Raines (86%) was on his 10th and final year of eligibility, while Bagwell (86.2%) made it on his seventh attempt and Rodriguez (76%) on his first one, earning 336 of 442 votes – four more than necessary. Closer Trevor Hoffman fell five votes short at 74%. Outfielder Vladimir Guerrero was named on 317 ballots (71.1%), 15 votes shy of induction in his first year.

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Both Bagwell and Rodriguez were suspected of using PEDs because of the dramatic physical transformations they underwent during their careers, but no conclusive evidence has been found of their involvement with such substances.

Their strong showings on the ballot and the surge in support for the steroid-tainted Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens – both of whom surged from the mid-40%range to the mid-50s – provide the latest indications that the current Hall of Fame electorate has become more amenable to voting for suspected PED users with Hall-worthy credentials.

Former catcher Mike Piazza, who fits that profile, was elected last year on his fourth try.

Rodriguez – who holds the record for most games played behind the plate, won the 1999 AL MVP and compiled a .296 career batting average with 311 home runs – is just the second catcher ever voted in on the first ballot, joining the legendary Johnny Bench.

“It means a lot,’’ said Rodriguez, who led his league in throwing out base stealers nine times. “Johnny Bench was my favorite player growing up, and I can’t wait in July to see him in the same stage as me when I’m doing my speech. It’s a dream come true.’’

Bagwell overcame years of crowded ballots and an electorate wary of power hitters who played through the heart of the so-called steroid era. While Bagwell was never directly connected to steroid use, he did acknowledge using androstenedione, a substance now banned by Major League Baseball.

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The cloud of doubt over Bagwell’s accomplishments was likely the only reason he had to wait so long to be admitted into Cooperstown, considering he put together eight seasons with at least 30 home runs, 100 runs scored and 100 RBI, a feat matched by only nine other players.

A .297 career hitter, Bagwell belted an Astros-record 449 home runs, posted a .948 on-base plus slugging percentage and averaged better than 100 RBI over his 15 seasons. Three times he finished in the top three in the NL MVP voting, including his runaway victory in 1994, and he was also chosen the league’s rookie of the year in 1991.

Bagwell never hit more than four homers in a season in the minors but adjusted his swing to get more loft and distance.

“I kind of learned how to change my hands and get a little bit of backspin, and that carried the ball,’’ he said. “Learning how to hit is very, very difficult, and it takes a while sometimes.’’

Both Bagwell and Raines transcended the traditional roles of the slugger and speedster, respectively. Bagwell is one of just 11 players ever to combine at least 440 career home runs with 200 stolen bases.

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Raines is the only one ever to amass a minimum of 100 triples, 150 home runs and 600 steals, and also the only one with four different seasons of at least 50 extra-base hits and 70 steals.

Such prolific numbers in game-impacting categories made Raines a favorite of the sabermetric crowd, as did his efficiency as a base stealer. Raines’ 808 career steals rank fifth all-time, and his 84.7% success rate is the second highest ever among those with at least 300 attempts.

The 5-8 dynamo was considerably more than just a threat on the basepaths, especially during the first 12 years of his career with the Montreal Expos. Raines hit .294 with a .385 on-base percentage over his 23 seasons, winning the NL batting crown in 1986, one of his seven consecutive All-Star seasons.

“I think the way the game has changed today, the way they look at the stats, it has changed a lot of people’s minds,’’ Raines said. “I think it make them (voters) look at me a lot closer and a lot deeper, and I think the more they looked, the better it turned out.’’

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Vote totals (Ballots cast: 442; Needed for election: 332)

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