Former Jaguar Luis Gonzalez Eliminated From BWAA Hall Of Fame Ballot
Former Jaguar baseball player Luis Gonzalez was eliminated from the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot on Wednesday. Photo: downtownphoenix.com
Former Jaguar baseball Star Luis Gonzalez was on the ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame this year. Unfortunately it will be his only appearance.
The Baseball Writers’ Association of American announced the results of their annual vote as to whom, if any, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux and Frank Thomas were all elected to the Hall of Fame as they were named on at least 75% of the 571 ballots cast.
Gonzalez received five votes which totaled 0.9% of the ballots which is below the threshold of 5% in order to continue to be considered by the BWAA. A player can remain on the ballot for up to 15 years as long as they receive 5% of the vote annually.
Gonzalez was an All-American first baseman for the Jaguars in 1988. He set the school record for RBI’s in a season with 80, which still stands. When he left USA after three seasons he held the school career record for games, runs, doubles, and RBIs. Those marks have sence been overtaken.
Gonzalez was selected by Houston in the fourth round of the 1988 draft.
As an outfielder he spent 19 seasons in the Majors. He is most notably known for his game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth inning in the 2001 World Series for the Arizona Diamondbacks against the New York Yankees.
In addition to the Diamondbacks, he also played for the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, LA Dodgers and the Florida Marlins.
In 2,591 games in his career he hit .283 with 1,412 runs, 596 doubles, 354 home runs, 1,439 RBIs, 1,155 walks and a .479 slugging average. He was a five-time All-Star selection and led the National League in hits in 1999 with 206. He scored 100 runs in each season from 1999-2001 and drove in 100 runs each season from 1999-2003. He also hit a career high 57 home runs in 2001.
South Alabama retired his jersey and has named their hitting facility the “Luis Gonzalez Hitting Facility” in his honor.