Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Griffin
This one’s a bit of a lightning rod, to say the least. While I think he’s worthy—and I felt that way even while he was playing—it was the Today’s Era Committee, not the baseball writers, who ultimately voted him in. Here are 10 reasons why I believe his induction was justice delayed, not simply a case of a ‘Very Good’ player getting into the Hall.
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2,866 Career Hits:
None other than Brooks Robinson praised Baines for his hitting ability. Baines was born to hit. Though he began his career as an outfielder, he spent most of it as a designated hitter. The result: 2,866 career hits.
1,628 RBIs
Baines wanted to help his teams win. That meant driving in teammates when they were on base. He did it 1,628 times. That’s a lot of congratulatory handshakes, don’t you think?
Six-Time All-Star
You might not view six All-Star appearances as something too impressive given that he played 22 years. That’s still six more than most players ever receive. And since designated hitter can be a crowded position, not being voted in every year doesn’t mean he didn’t deserve it.
384 Home Runs
While Baines wasn’t quite like the Big Hurt, he still launched 384 home runs. He also had a knack for hitting them at the right moments—more on that in the next slide.
Most Walk-Off Homers in Recorded White Sox History
More than anyone in White Sox history, Baines sent fans home happy with the ultimate mic-drop: a walk-off homer. If he came to the plate with a chance to win it, he often delivered.
Top 10 in RBIs for the 1980s
In the neon-soaked ’80s, Baines ranked among the decade’s top RBI producers—pretty impressive considering the company included stars like Eddie Murray and Mike Schmidt.
Career .289 Batting Average
Baines was like a metronome, with 22 years of steady, reliable hitting. His .289 career average reflected his approach to the game—never getting too high or too low.
Three-Time Silver Slugger Winner
Baines didn’t just hit—he raked, earning three Silver Slugger awards over the course of his career. Pitchers knew better than to treat him as just a singles hitter.
Led AL in Sacrifice Flies in 1987
Sometimes, heroics mean giving yourself up for the team. Baines led the American League in sacrifice flies in 1987 and was consistently among the league leaders, proving he knew when to swing for glory and when to just get the run home.
22 Seasons Played
Some argue that his long career may have hurt his Hall of Fame case, with the final years possibly coloring the writers’ opinions. In reality, it showed how much he was valued around the game and the kind of presence he brought to the clubhouse.
Hall of Fame Induction
Finally, Baines received the call from the Today’s Era Committee. He joined both his peers and the game’s legends on the podium. After all that time, he delivered a heartfelt speech. And now, the Hall includes both Baines and Raines.