Players Who Received One HOF Vote

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jan 8, 2011

Players Who Received One HOF Vote

John Kruk

Every year, the 500-plus members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America vote on which players should be in the Hall of Fame. A player becomes eligible five years after retirement and a player who receives less than five percent is removed from the ballot. Every year, there are one or two players who receive a single vote, usually from a media member who covered him throughout his career. Going back to 1985, here are the 25 players who have received just one HOF vote, beginning with Kruk. Before he was an ESPN analyst, Kruk was one of the game's top hitters (.300 lifetime average). He made three All-Star teams and received one Hall of Fame vote in 2001.

Cecil Fielder

Fielder, whose son Prince is one of the game's elite sluggers, was a one-time Hall hopeful in 2004. In his 13 seasons, Fielder hit 319 home runs, including 95 in a two-year span (1990-91) when he was considered the game's premiere long-ball hitter.

Ray Knight

Knight, who received one HOF vote in 1994, made two All-Star teams in his 13 seasons in the big leagues. He'll forever be known for scoring the winning run in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series after Bill Buckner's error.

Dock Ellis

Though Ellis won a World Series and finished his career with a respectable 138-119 record and 3.46 ERA, he's best remembered for pitching a no-hitter while under the influence of LSD. Ellis claims to have accomplished the feat despite not being able to feel the ball or clearly see the batter or catcher. He received one vote in the 1985 balloting.

Lenny Dykstra

Dykstra began his career as a key member of the 1986 Mets World Series championship squad. He was traded to the Phillies in 1989 and helped the squad reach the 1993 World Series. Dykstra was denied entry in 2002 and was named in the 2007 Mitchell Report.

Jerry Remy

The popular Red Sox analyst played 10 seasons in Boston and California, finishing with a .275 average, seven home runs and 329 RBIs. He appeared on the 1990 HOF ballot.

Chuck Knoblauch

Though he may be best remembered for his late-career throwing woes, Knoblaugh made four All-Star teams in his 12-year career. The four-time World Series champion received a single vote in 2008.

Jesse Orosco

Career longevity wasn't enough to impress the Hall of Fame voters when Orosco's name came onto the ballot in 2009. The lefty pitched for 10 teams in his 26-year career and holds the major league record for career pitching appearances (1,252).

Lonnie Smith

Smith, who appeared on the 2000 ballot and received one vote, played on five pennant-winning teams and three World Series champions in 15 seasons. His best year was 1982, when he batted .307 with 120 runs scored and 68 stolen bases.

Terry Pendleton

Pendleton only made one All-Star team in his 15-year career, but he played in five World Series (winning none) and won three Gold Gloves. He received just one vote in 2004.

Bret Boone

Boone put up monster numbers toward the end of his career, highlighted by 37 home runs and 141 RBIs in 2001. His Hall of Fame chances took a hit after steroid-related speculation and his inclusion in Jose Canseco's book Juiced . He received just a single vote this past year.

Al Hrabosky

The Mad Hungarian spent 13 years in the big leagues, playing for the Cardinals, Royals and Braves. His best season was 1975, when he led the National League with 22 saves and a 1.66 ERA. He received one vote on the 1988 ballot.

Benito Santiago

Santiago started his career by winning Rookie of the Year, followed by four consecutive All-Star team appearances, beginning in 1989. His Hall of Fame chances weren't helped by his presence on the Mitchell Report. The catcher received one vote in this year's Hall of Fame voting.

Bud Harrelson

The longtime Met anchored New York's infield for 13 seasons and was named to two All-Star teams. He was hampered by a low lifetime batting average (.236) and home runs (seven). Harrelson received one HOF vote in 1986.

Burt Hooton

Hooten, who was on the ballot in 1991, won 151 games in 15 seasons with the Cubs, Dodgers and Rangers. He made only one All-Star team and finished his career with a lifetime 3.38 ERA and 1,491 strikeouts.

Jesus Alou

The youngest of the Alou brothers, Jesus played 17 seasons for the Giants, Astros, A's and Mets. He batted .274 over his career and received one vote in 1984.

Mike Hargrove

Before he was a manager, Hargrove spent 12 seasons playing first base for the Rangers, Padres and Indians. His best season may have been his first as he batted .323 with 66 RBIS in 1974 and was named Rookie of the Year. His lone year on the Hall of Fame ballot was 1991.

Mike Krukow

The Giants broadcaster received one Hall of Fame vote in 1995. He won 20 games with San Francisco in 1986 with a 3.05 ERA.

Ron Darling

The TBS analyst boasted a 136--116 record with 13 career shutouts and a 3.87 ERA. The Hawaii native received one vote in 2001.

David Justice

Justice put up decent numbers over his 14-year career, batting .279 with 305 home runs and 1017 RBIs, but his biggest achievement is making the postseason for 11 years straight between 1991-2002 (there were no playoffs in 1994). Justice, who was on the 2008 ballot, is a member of the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame.

Walt Weiss

Weiss, who received a single HOF vote in 2006, was the 1988 Rookie of the Year with Oakland and won a World Series title the following season. He finished his career with a .258 average in 14 seasons, playing for the A's, Marlins, Rockies and Braves.

David Segui

In 2010, Segui was a fringe HOF candidate whose chances were not helped by his admitting to using steroids while a member of the Mets. The slugger put up decent numbers (.291 lifetime average, 139 home runs, 684 RBIs) in his 15-year career.

Jeff Burroughs

Burroughs, who received a single vote in 1991, posted a .261 batting average with 240 home runs and 882 RBIs in 16 seasons.

Clay Carroll

Carroll compiled a 96-73 record in 15 seasons, primarily with the Reds and Braves. The righty, whose best season was 1972, when he led all of baseball with 37 saves, received one vote in 1984.

Players Who Received One HOF Vote