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Montreal Expos: Could We See an All-Expos Outfield in HoF Class 2017?

By s.a. rose

Apr 2, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Fan holds a sign in support of HOF induction for Tim Raines (not pictured) and Vladimir Guerrero (not pictured) before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Fan holds a sign in support of HOF induction for Tim Raines (not pictured) and Vladimir Guerrero (not pictured) before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 1, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Former Montreal Expos player Tim Raines salutes the crowd during a ceremony before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Former Montreal Expos player Tim Raines salutes the crowd during a ceremony before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /

Tim Raines

With an assist from the Canadian government citing his on-base percentage, could this be the year Tim Raines gets in? This is his last year of eligibility to be voted in by the BBWAA and Raines needs a 5.3% increase from voters to pass the 75% threshold. While not particularly well-marketed during his playing career – his lack of an exciting nickname beyond “The Best Lead-off Hitter not named Rickey Henderson” might be part of the reason his candidacy hasn’t registered with voters for this long – the numbers during Raines’ playing career should speak for themselves.

The highlights:

  • Best stolen base percentage among career stolen base (400 or more) leaders at 84.7%
  • On-base percentage of .385,
  • 7 time top 20 MVP vote,
  • 7 time All-Star,
  • Highest WAR in the NL from 1981-1990

Where Raines’ candidacy has suffered:

  • Missing out on typical milestones like 3,000 hits that the Hall of Fame voters care about most, even though his walk rate should make up for that gap in spades.
  • Being off the radar of most Hall of Fame voters because the majority of his elite years were spent playing in a Canadian city that predominantly speaks French and hasn’t had a team to bring him back for first pitches or celebratory banners for 12 seasons.
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