Pudge, Raines, Bagwell Elected to Join Bud Selig in Cooperstown

New Kids in the Hall: Ivan Rodriguez, Jeff Bagwell and Tim Raines elected to the — MLB (@MLB)January 18, 2017

Baseball writers have elected three ballplayers to join former commissioner Bud Selig in the Hall of Fame's 2017 class.

Catcher Ivan Rodriguez made it in his first year on the ballot, outfielder Tim Raines made it in his last chance at enshrinenment, and first baseman Jeff Bagwell will finally join teammate Craig Biggio, who was elected in 2015. All three are highly deserving.

Former Padres relief pitcher Trevor Hoffman just missed the 75 percent threshold, falling five votes short of election. Here's the final rundown:

Edgar Martinez appeared on 58.7 percent of the ballots. — Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish)January 18, 2017

Hoffman's near miss can be attributed to cosmic justice for the fact that fellow closer Lee Smith somehow garnered more votes than Manny Ramirez, Sammy Sosa, Larry Walker, Jeff Kent and any number of hitters who would have been happy to face him in the ninth inning of a close ballgame. Vladimir Guerrero just missed, but looks primed to join Hoffman next year.

As for the sub-plots and mini-dramas that make Baseball Hall of Fame voting so compelling?

Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens continue to languish around the 50 percent mark despite being the most worthy candidates on the ballot every year, and despite the fact that Selig, who tacitly endorsed PED use, was selected. Edgar Martinez continued to inch closer to taking that giant leap for designated hitters everywhere. And somebody voted for Tim Wakefield.

Despite the elections of Bagwell, Rodriguez, and Raines, next year's ballot will be equally crowded. Joining the field are, among others, Chipper Jones, Jim Thome, Scott Rolen, Omar Vizquel, and Carlos Zambrano.