Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 10, 1995 TAG: 9501100097
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: New York Times
DATELINE: PHILADELPHIA LENGTH: Medium
For 18 years, Michael Jack Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies set new standards in power and defensive prowess at third base while seeking perfection.
The introspective and erudite Schmidt never may have reached that unattainable plateau in his mind, but Monday he achieved something no other player ever had: election to the Hall of Fame with the largest number of votes ever cast for one player.
Schmidt, winner of three National League most valuable player awards, eight home run titles and 10 Gold Gloves, was elected in his first year of eligibility by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Of the record 460 ballots cast in the largest election in association history, Schmidt was named on 444.
That exceeded the previous best by a Hall of Famer, set last year by Schmidt's former teammate, pitcher Steve Carlton, who was named on 436 of 455 ballots.
Schmidt learned of his election early Monday evening, then met with the news media at Veterans Stadium, the site of many of his greatest feats. He acknowledged the fact that 16 voters chose not to vote for him. But Schmidt declined to delve into what he called ``the politics'' of baseball. Instead, he talked of those who influenced his career, including Pete Rose, the fun he had and the acclamation that is coming to the man many consider the greatest to ever play third base.
``That's quite a compliment, and I'm always thankful to have my name in that light,'' Schmidt said. ``I'm quite comfortable being there with Brooks,'' he added, referring to Baltimore's Brooks Robinson, the other third baseman who redefined the position and who preceded Schmidt to the Hall of Fame.
Schmidt received 96.52 percent of the vote, which ranks fourth on the list of near-unanimity, behind Tom Seaver (98.84 percent, in 1992), Ty Cobb (98.23, 1936) and Henry Aaron (97.83, 1982).
Schmidt was the only player to receive the 75 percent, or 345 votes, required for election this year. Phil Niekro, the Braves knuckleball pitcher who won 318 major-league games, finished second, with 286 votes (62.17 percent). Don Sutton, a 324-game winner, was third with 264 votes (57.39 percent). Tony Perez, the power-hitting Cincinnati first baseman, was the only other player named on more than half the ballots, with 259 votes (56.30 percent).
Schmidt will become the 220th member of the Hall of Fame and the 10th third baseman.
by CNB