The votes are in, and the percentages have been calculated. Three new inductees will make their way into the hallowed halls of Cooperstown this year. Among them is former Tigers’ catcher, Ivan Rodriguez, who was elected on the first ballot.
Rodriguez becomes the first former Tigers’ player to be inducted since Al Kaline in 1980, ending a ridiculous 37 year drought. For Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen however, their opportunity has come to an end, as both received fewer than the necessary 5% of the vote to continue.
Lou Whitaker, who boasted better numbers across the board than most hall of fame second basemen, suffered the same fate due to the five-percent-rule.