By, Calvin Ralph
On Tuesday, the 2015 Hall of Fame Class was announced. Three pitchers were inducted and one position player. Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, and John Smoltz all went in on their first year on the ballot and Craig Biggio went in on his third year on the ballot.
Pedro Martinez:
Career Stats: 219-100, 2.93 ERA, 3154 strikeouts, 1 World Series
Best Season: 1999 with Boston: 23-4 2.07 ERA
Best Moment: Oct 26, 2004: Game 3 of the World Series, Martinez throws gives up three hits in seven innings of shutout baseball against St. Louis, in Boston’s 4-1 victory that all, but sealed the deal for the Red Sox to break The Curse of the Bambino.
Pedro never threw a no-hitter, but what he did best was not give up a lot of hits and runs. He led the AL in ERA in 5 seasons and even when he didn’t he usually owned a sub- 3.50 ERA.
Randy “The Big Unit” Johnson
Career Stats: 303-166, 3.29, 4875 strikeouts, 1 World Series
Best Season: 2002 with Arizona: 24-5 2.32 ERA 334 strikeouts
Best Moment: May 18, 2004: It was a horrible season for the Diamondbacks, but Johnson provided the bright spot of the season by throwing the 17th perfect game in MLB history in a 2-0 win over Atlanta. Later in the season he became the fourth pitcher to 4,000 strikeouts.
Johnson ranks 22nd all time in wins with 303 he will be best known for his years in Arizona, where he won his only ring. Forever a strikeout pitcher, for his prime seasons he was a lock to have over 250 strikeouts.
Craig Biggio
Career Stats: .281 AVG, 291 HR, 1175 RBI, 414 SB
Best Season: 1998: .325 AVG, 20 HR, 88 RBI, 50 SB
Best Moment: Getting elected to the Hall of Fame: Biggio’s moments weren’t in many big games. He had a great career and put his mark by getting into the Hall and being the first Astro to be inducted into Cooperstown.
Perhaps the most controversial induction in the 2015 class, Biggio did have over 3,000 in 20 seasons. The problem is his batting average at .281 for his career he should have hit over 350 home runs.
John Smoltz
Career Stats: 213-155, 3.33 ERA, 3,084 strikeouts, 154 saves
Best Season: 1996: 24-8, 2.94 ERA, 276 strikeouts
Best Moment: Being part of the Braves’ “Big Three”: Consisting of Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and Smoltz, this unstoppable pitching trio led the Braves to 11 straight NL East titles, 2 straight NL Pennants and a World Series.
Smoltz’s career is remarkable. He is one of two pitchers to have a 20-win season and a 50 save season. He also has one of the greatest postseason records at 15-4. He was a sure lock to the Hall as a first-ballot.