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Baltimore Orioles: Congrats to Guerrero and Thome on Hall of Fame nod

By Kristen Bentley

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 26: Vladimir Guerrero #27 of the Baltimore Orioles at the plate against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 26, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 26: Vladimir Guerrero #27 of the Baltimore Orioles at the plate against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 26, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Two former Baltimore Orioles designated hitters are now members of the Baseball Writers Association of America’s Hall of Fame.

Interestingly, these two men only played with the Baltimore Orioles in the final seasons of their careers.

Jim Thome and Vladimir Guerrero both were designated hitters when they played in Birdland but played first base and right field respectively in their younger years. Thome was 41 years old when he hit .257/.348/.396 with three home runs in 2012. He had only 101 at-bats with the O’s. Guerrero had a full season with the O’s in 2011 and he hit .290/.317/.416 with 13 home runs and 63 RBIs in 562 at-bats.

Deserving of the honor

BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 01: Jim Thome
BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 01: Jim Thome /

These two men are more than deserving of their new spots in the hallowed Hall. Guerrero played 16 years in the MLB and was an All-Star in nine of them, even in his 15th season with the Texas Rangers. Guerrero also won an MVP award and eight Silver Sluggers awards. The man could hit.

Thome played for 22 seasons and was a five-time All-Star. He won one Silver Slugger award, but he has several top season statistics. Thome’s career WAR is 72.9 and Guerrero’s is 59.3.

Guerrero was on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2017. According to CBSSports.com, Guerrero had 71.7% of votes in 2017. To be enshrined, players need 75%. He only needed 15 more votes to get in. And, he got them, this time. According to a different article on CBSSports.com, Guerrero earned 92.9% of the votes in 2018. Thome earned 89.9% and this was his first time on the ballot.

Where their numbers will be retired

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Despite the fact that these two men are now a part of the shrine in Cooperstown, it is highly unlikely that their numbers will be retired in Baltimore.

Thome wore #25 for the majority of his career including his short season in Birdland. He spent the majority of his career with the Cleveland Indians, so his number should be retired there. Anthony Santander currently wears #25 for the O’s.

Guerrero wore #27 in Birdland and on all of his other teams. He played eight years with the Montreal Expos and six years with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Guerrero’s number could be retired in Washington at Nationals Park. It is currently worn by Shawn Kelley. A small problem could arise in Los Angeles as Mike Trout currently wears that number. Guerrero’s MVP year was while he played with the Angels. No Orioles player wears 27 now.

Next: The best DH's in Orioles history

Congratulations to both men and the two others, Chipper Jones and Trevor Hoffman, on being selected for this honor.

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