NEW YORK -- Ken Griffey Jr. has been elected to the baseball Hall of Fame with the highest voting percentage ever, and Mike Piazza also is headed to Cooperstown.
Jeff Bagwell and former Montreal Expos star Tim Raines fell short in results announced Wednesday.
A star slugger of the Steroids Era never tainted by accusations of drug use, Griffey was on 437 of 440 votes in his first appearance on the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot. His 99.3 percentage topped Tom Seaver's 98.84 in 1992.
Piazza, on the ballot for the fourth time, received 365 votes.
A player needs 75 per cent to gain election. Bagwell missed by 15 votes and Raines by 23 in totals announced Wednesday.
After about 100 writers who no longer are active lost their votes under new rules, there were significant increases for a pair of stars accused of steroids use. Roger Clemens rose to 45 per cent and Barry Bonds to 44 per cent, both up from about 37 per cent last year.
Raines thanked his fans and supporters in a series of tweets in both English and French.
I would like to thank @officialBBWAA writers for once again considering my @baseballhall candidacy, the ultimate honor in the sport. (1/3)
— Tim Raines (@TimRaines30) January 6, 2016
Next, I also want to thank everyone who advocated for me, especially @jonahkeri & @theaceofspaeder . I really appreciate it. (2/3)
— Tim Raines (@TimRaines30) January 6, 2016
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to all the fans on Twitter/in person who continue to show love & support. My family and I are touched. (3/3)
— Tim Raines (@TimRaines30) January 6, 2016
Je remercie sincèrement tous les fans sur Twitter & ailleurs qui m'aiment et me soutiennent. Ma famille et moi sommes très touchés #Montréal
— Tim Raines (@TimRaines30) January 6, 2016
