Well, too bad for these guys, but most of them will likely have to wait until 2015 before they make the MLB Hall of Fame. Living legends are currently awaiting to enter the Hall of Fame Ballot in the Class of 2014. Who are they? You might have heard of them.
Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, we should just stop right there, but wait, Frank Thomas, Jeff Kent and Mike Mussina are also awaiting their turn.
Let's look at what these guys did in their careers as major leaguers. We know the first two won't disappoint.
Greg Maddux: AKA The Professor, Mad Dog
If the nickname doesn't intimidate you, then this picture would definitely not help.
How about his total numbers? Maybe.
In 23 years, Maddux had 355 wins, a career 3.16 ERA, struckout 3,371 batters and pitched over 5,000 innings. What makes this more remarkable is that he did it without a 90 MPH fastball. He was surgical with his pitching and focused on pitching placement.
He captured 18 Gold Gloves, made eight All-Star appearances and won the Cy Young Award four times.
Tom Glavine-- Maddux's Atlanta Brave Teammate
It could be that two Atlanta Braves get into the Hall of Fame in 2014. Glavine being the second. He won 305 games and posted 20-win seasons five times in his career. You can also throw in three Silve Slugger awards, 10 All-Star Game appearances and a pair of Cy Young Awards.
Frank Thomas: The Big Hurt
A 19-year career wrapped up with 521 home runs. Thomas hit at least 40 homers in five seasons. A couple of injury plagued seasons really cut into his production. Thomas could have easily finished in the 600 Home Run Club had he not missed so much time in 2001, 2004 and 2005.
Jeff Kent: Bond's Enemy
Kent was an excellent major leaguer, even more of a dominant second baseman with a rare display of power. He played in six different teams in 17 seasons. He racked up 377 homers while averaging .290 in his career.
In 2000 he was the MVP, the only one of his career. He was also a five-time All-Star ad four-time Silver Slugger.
However, Kent will mostly be remembered for his brawl with former teammate Barry Bonds, who he will be fighting against for a spot in Cooperstown. Oh! The drama.
Mike Mussina: The Moose
Similar to Maddux, Mussina was more smarts than overpowering stuff. He tallied 270 wins over 18 years and was only part of two major league teams, the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles. Believe it or not, Mussina only had one season where he won 20 games and it was his last one.
