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Major League Baseball added three players into the Hall of Fame from the 2000 ballot. Pitcher Jimmy Roussel was nearly unanimous at 99.2%, while CF Janus Garcia also had an impressive debut at 86.9%. LF Xiandong He was the third inductee, getting a huge bump on his eighth ballot and receiving 78.8%. The next closest was catcher Peter Wacker at 54.4% on his eighth ballot, still a good distance from the 66% requirement. Also above 50% were second year guys in closer Alex Cantos (53.3%) and 2B Rodrigo Badillo (51.4%).



Three players were dropped after ten ballots with each of them ending in the single digits. Reliever Mike Jennings had a 17-year career mostly with Chicago, posting 218 saves and 370 shutdowns, a 2.19 ERA, 977.1 innings, 1102 strikeouts, and 31.2 WAR. For someone who was largely middle relief, he was quite effective. But he never was Reliever of the Year and the saves number was too low to get much attention. Shockingly, Jennings actually debuted on the ballot at 51.2%, but he only went down from there.

SP Wayne “Stumpy” Mitz debuted at a high of 22.5%. He notably won ten Gold Gloves in his 15 year career with five times, posting a 173-134 record, 3.42 ERA, 2923.1 innings, 2395 strikeouts, 109 ERA+, and 56.1 WAR. Firmly a “Hall of Pretty Good” type guy.

SP Brit Mooney debuted at 27.2% and ended at 3.9%. He pitched 21 years with a stint in EPB at the end. He won Pitcher of the Year in 1972 with New Orleans and was part of their dynasty run. Mooney ended up playing for 12 teams total with a 215-199 record, 3.97 ERA, 3797.2 innings, 3220 strikeouts, 1537 walks, 99 ERA+, and 52.0 WAR. He mostly had sustained averageness and as of 2037, sits eighth all-time in most walks surrendered.



Jimmy “Cabfare” Roussel – Starting Pitcher – Albuquerque Isotopes – 99.2% First Ballot

Jimmy Roussel was a 6’1’’, 195 pound right-handed pitcher from West Point, Utah; a town of around 10,000 people in the northern part of the state. Roussel was best known for incredible pinpoint control, which at one point was graded as 10/10. He also had very good stuff with solid movement. His velocity peaked in the 95-97 mph range with an arsenal of slider, screwball, changeup, and cutter. Roussel had excellent stamina and his efficient control allowed him to go deep into games regularly. He also had a great work ethic, which helped make him a very popular player of his era. Roussel was also quite durable, tossing 200+ innings every year except his last.

Roussel left Utah to play college baseball at Toledo. In three seasons with the Rockets, he had a 17-16 record, 2.88 ERA, 306.1 innings, 287 strikeouts, and 9.5 WAR. Roussel was viewed as one of the finest pitching prospects in the 1977 MLB Draft and was picked seventh overall by Albuquerque. He was a full-time starter immediately for the Isotopes and tossed 220+ innings in all 11 years he spent in New Mexico.

Roussel’s results were okay in his first two years, but he provided strong value simply by eating innings. He broke out in his third season, winning 1980 American Association Pitcher of the Year. Roussel’s great control meant he had the best K/BB in ten different seasons in his career. With Albuquerque, he would lead in wins twice, innings pitched thrice, WHIP thrice, quality starts twice, and complete games twice.

The Isotopes gave Roussel a seven-year, $10,060,000 extension after the 1982 season. He was third in Pitcher of the Year voting in 1984, then won the award for the second time in 1985. Roussel’s finest year by WAR was a 11.3 mark in 1986, his only time as the WARlord. However, he wasn’t a POTY finalist that year. Roussel would win the top honor for a third time in 1987.

Albuquerque fans loved Roussel during his run. The Isotopes would make the playoffs four times during his tenure, but they never went deeper than the second round. His playoff starts were surprisingly poor with a 5.65 ERA in 36.2 innings. Roussel would post good numbers in his few World Baseball Championship appearances for the United States. He had nine starts from 1986-88 with an 8-1 record, 1.93 ERA, 70 innings, and 96 strikeouts. Roussel was 5-0 in the 1988 WBC, helping the Americans win the world title that year.

For his time in Albuquerque, Roussel had a 197-125 record, 3003.2 innings, 2469 strikeouts, 396 walks, 234/367 quality starts, 212 complete games, 128 ERA+, and 85.8 WAR. The Isotopes would later retire his #5 uniform as well. Roussel decided to opt out of the last year of his deal after the 1988 season, becoming a free agent for the first time at age 32. He ended up inking a five-year, $8,900,000 with Chicago.

Having great control meant his game aged fairly well, putting up consistent numbers for the Cubs. He took third in 1991 Pitcher of the Year voting and helped Chicago to three straight division titles from 1989-91. The Cubs didn’t get beyond the second round these years and Roussel again stunk in the playoffs with a 5.79 ERA in his three starts. With Chicago, Roussel had a 72-63 record, 2.83 ERA, 1272.2 innings, 869 strikeouts, 125 ERA+, and 29.5 WAR.

Roussel’s contract expired after the 1993 campaign and he was now a 37-year old free agent. Vancouver signed him to a two-year, $5,280,000 deal. He looked very pedestrian in a half season with the Volcanoes, who cut him that summer. San Antonio signed him to a minor league deal, but cut him after two days without a single appearance. Washington signed him a week later and he finished the season in minor league Richmond. Roussel decided to retire that winter at age 37.

The career stats saw a 274-197 record, 3.08 ERA, 4392.1 innings, 3386 strikeouts, 569 walks, 357/552 quality starts, 271 complete games, 41 shutouts, 126 ERA+, 76 FIP-, and 116.2 WAR. Roussel wasn’t overly dominant, but was incredibly efficient. He’s the only Hall of Fame pitcher with 4000+ innings and fewer than 600 walks. Roussel was seventh in pitching WAR at induction and still sits tenth as of 2037. In present day, he’s also 15^th in complete games. His ability to paint the corners was unparalleled, making Roussel an easy choice to lead off the 2000 ballot at 99.2%.



Janus Garcia – Center Field – Chicago Cubs – 86.9% First Ballot

Janus Garcia was a 6’3’’, 200 pound center left-handed hitter center fielder from Lee’s Summit, Missouri; a city of around 100,000 people within the Kansas City metropolitan area. Garcia was an incredible contact hitter who was a master at putting the ball play while also being decent at drawing walks. He had a respectable pop in his bat as well, averaging around 40 doubles/triples per 162 games and around 20-25 home runs. Garcia had pretty good speed and was an efficient base stealer. He was a career center fielder and was consistently strong defensively. Garcia was a scrappy spark plug type, always giving full effort.

Garcia played collegiately at the University of Michigan. He was third in NCAA MVP voting his junior season and won a Gold Glove that year. With the Wolverines, he played 123 games with 130 hits, 81 runs, 23 doubles, 28 home runs, 76 RBI, a .291/.370/.540 slash, and 5.8 WAR. Chicago had the 16^th pick of the 1977 MLB Draft and used it on Garcia.

He posted one of the finest rookie seasons of all-time, winning a batting title with a .360 average and leading with .420 OBP. Garcia posted 8.6 WAR, easily winning Rookie of the Year and taking second in MVP voting. The Cubs made it to the National Association Championship Series, but lost to Louisville. Chicago made the NACS again the next two years and won the pennant in 1980, although they lost in the World Series to Dallas. Garcia took MVP honors and Silver Sluggers in both 1979 and 1980. The 1979 MVP was especially impressive since his missed a month to a rotator cuff strain.

Garcia also became a regular for the United States in the World Baseball Championship from 1979-87. He played 141 games with 149 hits, 82 runs, 23 doubles, 28 home runs, 97 RBI, 77 stolen bases, a .294/.351/.533 slash, and 6.1 WAR. Garcia was third in 1981’s WBC MVP voting and won world titles for the Americans in 1981, 82, 84, and 85.

He missed part of 1981 to injury and Chicago stunning fell off a cliff, going from 105 wins to only 61 wins. Garcia bounced back for his third MVP and Silver Slugger in 1982, posting career and NA bests in runs, hits, average, and WAR. That effort convinced the Cubs to extend him for eight years at $10,660,000. Garcia won his fourth Silver Slugger in 1983 and was second in MVP voting, although the Cubs missed the playoffs both years. During his first six years, Garcia won three batting titles, led in WAR thrice, led in slugging and OPS twice, and once led in hits, runs, total bases, and OBP.

1984 was a banner year as Garcia won his fourth MVP and fifth Silver Slugger. The Cubs returned to the playoffs and won their second-ever World Series. Garcia was a beast in the postseason, winning World Series MVP and NACS MVP. In 20 playoff starts, he had 31 hits, 17 runs, 10 extra base hits, 12 RBI, 11 walks, 9 steals, a .419/.494/.689 slash, and 1.6 WAR. For his postseason career, Garcia had 59 starts, 74 hits, 41 runs, 8 doubles, 8 triples, 7 home runs, 28 RBI, 22 stolen bases, a .310/.365/.498 slash, and 2.7 WAR.

That was Garcia’s last award-winning season. He still looked very good in the next few years, but various injuries kept him in and out of the lineup for the rest of the 1980s. The Cubs won the division in 1987 and again from 1989-91, but they went nowhere in the playoffs. Garcia only played two playoff games in that entire stretch as his body started to break down in his 30s. He was still beloved and provided value when healthy, thus Chicago extended him another five years for $9,300,000 after the 1989 campaign.

The 1990s were particularly rough for Garcia, who kept trying to power through. His injuries included sprained knees, torn quads, torn ankle ligaments, and a fractured thumb. By 1992, Garcia’s play suffered even when he was healthy, becoming an only occasional starter. He failed to meet vesting criteria in his deal, becoming a free agent after the 1993 season.

Garcia wanted badly to play, but just couldn’t hold up anymore. Kansas City gave him a deal late in the 1994 season, making six appearances off the bench for the team nearest his hometown. He finally realized it was time to call it quits, retiring that winter at age 38. Chicago would immediately retire his #5 uniform. Interestingly, he had worn #7 for his prime seasons, but switched to #25 in 1985 and then #5 after. Although the best years were #7, it would be #5 that was taken out of circulation.

Garcia’s final stats: 2314 hits, 1209 runs, 356 doubles, 112 triples, 285 home runs, 1074 RBI, 447 stolen bases, a .325/.373/.527 slash, 158 wRC+, and 98.9 WAR. At induction, he was one of only seven Hall of Famers in MLB who had a .325 or better batting average. The injuries kept Garcia from shooting higher up the leaderboards, but he was a stud in the front half of his career and a key reason the Cubs won two pennants. Garcia earned 86.9% of the vote on his debut, becoming the second of three inductees in 2000.



Xiandong He- Left Field – Albuquerque Isotopes – 78.8% Eighth Ballot

Xiandong He was a 6’0’’, 195 pound left-handed left fielder from Jilin, China; a city of around 3,600,000 in the country’s northeast. He was an excellent contract hitter with an above average eye. Xiandong had great gap power, regularly getting around 30-35 doubles/triples per year. He wasn’t a prolific home run hitter, but reliably still smacked around 25-30 most seasons. Xiandong had average speed with pretty good baserunning instincts. He was a career left fielder and firmly mediocre defensively. He had a cannon arm, but his range and general glovework were subpar. Xiandong was durable and reliable much of his career, providing consistent value.

He’s family left China when he was a teenager and he ended up in California. Xiandong picked up baseball and played collegiately at UCLA, helping the Bruins win the 1968 College World Series. In 146 games as a Bruin, He had 158 hits, 97 runs, 28 doubles, 37 home runs, 120 RBI, a .285/.348/.536 slash, and 6.3 WAR. Due to the regional restrictions of the MLB Draft, He wasn’t eligible until the fourth round. With the eighth pick of the round and 159^th overall, Albuquerque selected He in the 1970 Draft.

Xiandong took up a starting role immediately and was a full-timer in all eight seasons with the Isotopes. He had a great debut with a .304 average and 4.1 WAR, earning 1971 Rookie of the Year honors. His finest season was 1972 with career bests in WAR (9.1), hits (206), runs (110), and triple slash (.347/.402/.592). He won his first Silver Slugger and was second in MVP voting. Xiandong won additional Silver Sluggers in 1974 and 1978 and was second in 1975 MVP voting.

1972 saw Albuquerque end a 16-year playoff drought, falling in the American Association Championship Series to New Orleans. 1975 would be a special year as the Isotopes surprised many with a World Series run. Xiandong was excellent in the 1975 playoffs with 26 hits, 12 runs, 5 doubles, 5 home runs, and 12 RBI over 19 starts. These were Albuquerque’s only playoff appearances in his tenure. He would play some for China in the World Baseball Championship. From 1971-80, He had 75 games and 31 starts with 45 hits, 34 runs, 19 home runs, and 39 RBI. Xiandong earned a world title ring with the 1979 Chinese squad.

Albuquerque fell off after the World Series win and He decided to leave for free agency after the 1978 campaign. For his time with the Isotopes, Xiandong had 1472 hits, 749 runs, 251 doubles, 219 home runs, 753 RBI, a .311/.364/.531 slash, 142 wRC+, and 41.8 WAR. Now 29 years old, Boston signed him to a five-year, $3,550,000 deal. His lone time as a league-leader came in 1979 with the Red Sox, posting 38 doubles.

He had a good first season with Boston, but his run shockingly lasted one season. Xiandong was cut after 1980 spring training, making many wonder what happened behind the scenes. He hadn’t been known as a malcontent or someone who clashed with others. His quality of play didn’t warrant a straight up release either, especially after one year of a five-year deal. He quickly found a new home, scooped up nine days later by Brooklyn.

A month in, the Dodgers gave Xiandong a five-year, $4,800,000 extension. He didn’t win awards with Brooklyn, but he was a solid starter for five years. Injuries would cost him part of 1983. 1980 would be He’s final playoff chance, as Brooklyn was decidedly mid. For the Dodgers run, Xiandong had 726 hits, 330 runs, 110 doubles, 107 home runs, 343 RBI, a.287/.340/.468 slash, 141 wRC+, and 15.1 WAR.

There was one year left on his deal after the 1984 campaign, but Brooklyn traded him to Oklahoma City for three prospects. He had one okay season with the Outlaws, then was a free agent at age 36. Omaha picked him up on a three-year, $4,020,000 contract. Xiandong was still a respectable starter in two years with the Hawks, although injuries started to linger.

He failed to meet the vesting criteria for the third year in his Omaha deal, becoming a free agent after 1987. That would be his final MLB season, although Xiandong wasn’t ready to stop playing. OBA’s Perth Penguins signed him in June 1988, but a torn quad kept him out two months. He was unremarkable anyway while in Australia. Xiandong briefly played in the minors in late 1989 with Colorado Springs, playing nine games. He retired that winter at age 39.

For his MLB tenure, Xiandong had 2747 hits, 1425 runs, 454 doubles, 104 triples, 420 home runs, 1401 RBI, 808 walks, a .295/.353/.501 slash, 140 wRC+, and 69.7 WAR. A fine career, but very borderline when compared to others who had made or missed the Hall of Fame cut. He helped Albuquerque win a title, but it was easy to miss someone in a small market.

He seemed destined to the Hall of Good with a 46.6% debut ballot, hovering around that mark for his first five tries. In 1998, Xiandong got a noticeable bump to 64.1%, less than 2% short of induction. He fell back to 54.4% in 1999, but managed to win over numerous doubters in 2000. On his eighth try, Xiandong received a large jump to 78.8%, making He the third and final member of a solid 2000 MLB class.