Jeter, Walker Named to Baseball’s Hall of Fame
The vote for Jeter was not unanimous as he received 99.7% of the vote, missing by one vote. Walker, who was in his tenth and final year of eligibility, received just over the 76.6percent, with 75 percent necessary for induction.
A 14-time All-Star, Jeter was named American League Rookie of the Year in 1996 and finished in the top 10 of AL MVP balloting eight times, topping out at second in 2006. He scored 100 or more runs 13 times, hit .310 for his career, and ranks sixth all-time with 3,465 career hits. The Yankees won five World Series titles during his time in New York.
Walker spent his 17-year career with the Expos, Rockies and Cardinals, winning the 1997 National League MVP for Colorado. He hit .366 that season with a career-high 49 homers, 130 RBIs and a .720 slugging percentage. Walker won NL batting crowns in 1998 (.363) and 1999 (.372). Known for his athleticism and strong arm, Walker won seven Gold Gloves during his career. He joins Ferguson Jenkins as the only Canadian born players in the Hall of Fame.
Pitcher Curt Schilling was third with 70%, 20 votes shy. The steroids-tainted pair of Roger Clemens (61%) and Barry Bonds (60.7%) both showed slight increases. Shortstop Omar Vizquel jumped from 42.8% to 52.6.