Johnson, Martinez, Smoltz, Biggio Elected to Hall of Fame

NEW YORK (AP) — Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio have been elected to baseball's Hall of Fame.

Baseball writers elected four players for the first time since 1955, with the Big Unit, Martinez and Smoltz earning induction on the first try Tuesday.

Biggio made it on the third attempt after falling two votes shy last year.

The quartet will be inducted in Cooperstown on July 26.

The Baseball Writers' Association of America had not given four players the necessary 75 percent in a single year since selecting Joe DiMaggio, Gabby Hartnett, Ted Lyons and Dazzy Vance 60 years earlier.

Mike Piazza (69.9%) and Jeff Bagwell (55.7%) fell short of the 75% required for induction, while Roger Clemens (37.5%) and Barry Bonds (36.8%) were way below the needed numbers.

Don Mattingly was appearing on the ballot for the final time and received 50 votes.