Barry Larkin Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

John Reid III/MLB Photos via Getty Images/NBHOF(NEW YORK) — Former Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin was elected to the Hall of Fame on Monday by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Larkin, 47, a 12-time All-Star, nine-time Silver Slugger and three-time Gold Glove award winner, appeared on 86 percent of the votes, considerably more than the 75 percent required.

Speaking to ESPN on Monday, Larkin admitted he was “shocked” to recieve the news of his election.

“I was absolutely shocked,” Larkin said on Sportscenter. “It’s such a phenomenal, phenomenal thing — an honor to even be considered.”

“I was just absolutely floored,” Larkin continued, before adding, “I’m just so, so proud.”

“It’s baseball immortality. It’s the pinnacle. It’s like winning the World Series,” Larkin told ESPN.

Asked who he has to thank for the honor, Larkin credited his teammates, fans, and “all the guys who have helped me in my career.”

“This is certainly a personal and an individual award, but it’s a culmination of people helping me to get me to this level,” he said.

Larkin will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 22 in Cooperstown, N.Y., along with former Chicago Cubs third baseman Ron Santo, who was posthumously elected to the Hall by the Golden Era Committee last month. Santo passed away in December 2010.

Mark McGwire, whose home run accomplishments were sullied by alleged steroid usage, received only 19 percent of votes cast, his lowest total yet. This is the fifth year McGwire has been denied entry. 

Other notables include: Jack Morris (66.7 percent), Jeff Bagwell (56 percent), Lee Smith (50.6 percent) Tim Raines (48.7 percent), Alan Trammell (36.8 percent), Edgar Martinez (36.5 percent), Don Mattingly (17.8 percent), Dale Murphy (14.5 percent), Rafael Palmeiro (12.6 percent), Bernie Williams (9.6 percent).

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