Ken Griffey Jr. Sets the Hall of Fame Voting Record

On January 6, 2016, the Baseball Writers' Association of America elected Ken Griffey Jr. to the National Baseball Hall of Fame with 99.3 percent of the vote. Of 440 ballots cast, Griffey appeared on 437, surpassing Tom Seaver's previous record of 98.84 percent set in 1992. Three writers left Griffey off their ballots, a decision that drew immediate and widespread criticism.

Griffey earned the near-unanimous selection with a career that combined elite production, defensive excellence, and cultural influence. He hit 630 home runs across 22 seasons, primarily with the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds. His signature swing, a left-handed stroke with an effortless arc, became one of the most recognizable in the sport. He won ten Gold Glove Awards in center field and was named to thirteen All-Star teams.

Griffey arrived in Seattle as a 19-year-old in 1989 and quickly became the face of the franchise. His backward cap and joyful playing style made him the most popular player in the game during the 1990s. He drove in more than 100 runs eight times and led the American League in home runs four times during his tenure with the Mariners.

Injuries slowed Griffey significantly after his trade to Cincinnati before the 2000 season. He missed large portions of multiple seasons with hamstring, knee, and other ailments. Even so, his peak years were among the most productive in baseball history.

Mike Piazza, the greatest hitting catcher of his era, was also elected on this ballot with 83.0 percent of the vote, joining Griffey in the Class of 2016. But the day belonged to Griffey, whose percentage stood as the highest in BBWAA history until Mariano Rivera received a unanimous 100 percent in 2019.