Blyleven misses out on Hall of Fame again
287-game winner 'tired of defending' career after little gain in support
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MINNEAPOLIS - Another year, another disappointment for Bert Blyleven.
The former major league pitcher came up short Monday in Hall of Fame balloting, gaining only two more votes than he got last year. Blyleven received 62.7 percent of the vote from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in his 12th try at election. Players need 75 percent for a spot in Cooperstown.
“I really have nothing to say,” Blyleven said in a text message sent to The Associated Press. “I am actually tired of defending my career numbers whether I should be in or not! Have a great day.”
Blyleven writes regularly for NBCSports.com.
Gaining induction were outfielders Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice, who made it in his 15th and final year of eligibility on the BBWAA ballot.
Blyleven, the right-hander with the wicked curveball, won 287 games in 22 major league seasons with Minnesota, Texas, Pittsburgh, Cleveland and the California Angels.
He ranks fifth in career strikeouts with 3,701 and is the only retired pitcher in the top 16 on that list who isn’t in the Hall of Fame.
Former Twins pitcher Jack Morris received 44 percent of the vote.
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