Ken Griffey Jr., the dazzling outfielder whose backwards cap signified joy to a generation of young fans and who hit more home runs than all but five players in major league history, and Mike Piazza, the best hitter the Dodgers have developed since moving to Los Angeles more than half a century ago, were elected Wednesday to baseball’s Hall of Fame.
Griffey, in his first year of eligibility, was selected on a record 99.32% of the ballots. The previous record: Tom Seaver, elected with 98.84% in 1992.
Piazza, in his fourth year on the ballot, was selected on 83% ballots. He repeatedly has expressed his preference to enter the Hall of Fame wearing the cap of the New York Mets, the team with which he appeared in his only World Series. The slugging catcher played one more year with the Mets than the Dodgers; his .331 batting average remains the highest in Los Angeles Dodgers history.
Griffey became the first player drafted with the first overall pick to be elected to the Hall of Fame. Piazza became the lowest-drafted player to be elected. The Dodgers picked him – as a favor to his godfather, Tom Lasorda – in the 62nd round of the 1988 draft. John Smoltz, a 22nd-round pick, had been the lowest-drafted among the Hall of Famers.
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