NEW YORK -- Chipper Jones, Jim Thome, Vladimir Guerrero and Trevor Hoffman have been elected to the baseball Hall of Fame.
Designated hitter Edgar Martinez came close after a grass-roots campaign to boost him. Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, both tainted by the steroids scandal, edged up but again fell far short.
Hoffman was chosen in his third year. He spent the final two seasons of his 18-year career with the Milwaukee Brewers, racking up 601 career saves, second all-time to Mariano Rivera's 652.
“My time in Milwaukee is looked upon as two of the most rewarding years of my career,” Hoffman said in a statement. “The passionate baseball fans of ‘The Crew’ took me in and gave me great support.”
Hoffman recorded his 600th career save in 2010, a moment former teammate and current Brewers manager Craig Counsell described as "magical."
“He made us all better people and players through laughter and preparation," Counsell said in a statement. "We were all fortunate to witness his 600th career save on a magical night at Miller Park."
Jones and Thome made it 54 players elected in their first year of eligibility by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
Jones was an eight-time All-Star third baseman for the Atlanta Braves. Thome hit 612 home runs, putting him eighth on the career list, and played mostly for the Cleveland Indians.
Guerrero was elected in his second try. The nine-time All-Star slugger played half his career with the Montreal Expos.
The Hall announced the voting results Wednesday. The four new members will be inducted on July 29 in Cooperstown, New York.
