MLB

Chipper Jones leads way in crowded Hall of Fame class

It’s gonna be one crowded platform … but not as crowded as it could have been.

Four players have gained election into the Baseball Hall of Fame via the writers’ ballot, as the Hall announced Wednesday. Mets nemesis Chipper Jones, dynamic outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, titan slugger Jim Thome and venerable closer Trevor Hoffman will join Modern Baseball Era Committee selections Jack Morris and Alan Trammell for what will be a glorious (if long) induction day. Designated hitter deluxe Edgar Martinez, meanwhile, just fell short.

This year nearly tied the record for Hall inductees. Five men surpassed the required 75 percent threshold in 1936, the Hall’s very first vote, when Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth and Honus Wagner became the freshman class.

Jones, the Braves’ third baseman, led the way with 97.2 percent of the vote in his first year on the ballot. The 1999 National League Most Valuable Player, Jones tormented the Mets for such a long time, and enjoyed doing it so much that he named a son “Shea” after the Mets’ former home. The Florida native totaled 468 home runs.

Guerrero, the 2004 American League MVP, collected 92.9 percent in his second year of consideration after debuting with a strong 71.7 percent showing last year. The Dominican Republic native spent most of his major league time with the Expos and Angels, and he finished his career with 449 home runs and 181 stolen bases.

Thome, who slammed 612 homers over 22 years, joined Jones as a successful first-year applicant as he received 89.8 percent of the vote. The Illinois native played a crucial role in the 1990s rise of the long-dormant Indians, revitalizing Cleveland. He totaled 71 postseason games with the Indians, White Sox, Dodgers, Twins and Orioles.

Hoffman, after falling just five votes short last year at 74 percent, attained 79.9 percent in this, his third year as a candidate. A beloved Padre and California native who finished his career in Milwaukee, Hoffman ranks second all time, behind Yankees great Mariano Rivera, with 601 saves.

Martinez, a feared member of the Mariners when they gave the Yankees fits in the ’90s and early 2000s, has made a meteoric late run — though not yet gotten over the hump — with 70.4 percent of the vote in his ninth year; players get 10 chances before falling off the ballot. The Puerto Rico native just passed the 50 percent threshold last year with 58.6 percent; in 2016, he got 43.4 percent.

Notably falling short were Mike Mussina (63.5 percent), Barry Bonds (56.4) and Roger Clemens (57.3).