Third time lucky? How about tenth?
That’s what former Montreal Expos great Tim Raines is hoping for in January.
Members of the Baseball Writers Association of America will cast their ballots to pick who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
A player needs at least 75 per cent of the ballots to be elected. Last year, Raines received almost 70 per cent of the vote.
This is his tenth year on the ballot and it’s also his last. After this, Raines is no longer eligible.
READ MORE: Tim Raines on baseball HoF: ‘It matters, but it doesn’t’
Raines had a career than spanned 23 years in the major leagues, most of them with the Expos.
He was a threat on the bases, leading the major leagues for most stolen bases on two occasions and finishing fifth on the all-time stolen base list.
“He was one of our greatest players,” Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre said.
“Not only for the Expos but as a baseball player, he was one of the greatest. The guy was fast, he was a great hitter.”
Another baseball fan, city councillor Marvin Rotrand, says it should be a no-brainer to induct Raines.
“Tim Raines is one of the most exciting players of all time.
“There’s rarely been a lead-off man or a base runner who has been as good or as exciting as Tim Raines,” he said.
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If elected into baseball’s highest honour, Raines will also join former Expos Gary Carter and Andre Dawson.
The results of the vote will be announced Jan. 18 and the swearing-in ceremony will be held in Cooperstown, New York on July 30.
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