2012 Hall of Fame Class: Barry Larkin Earns Well-Deserved Spot in Cooperstown

After being kept out of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first two years on the ballot, Barry Larkin was voted in this year with 86.4 percent of the vote.  He was the only player elected to Cooperstown in this year's class.

Larkin brings strong credentials to the Hall.  He played 19 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds from 1986 to 2004, hitting .295/.371/.444, with 12 All-Star Game appearances, three Gold Gloves and an MVP award.

In addition to those accolades, in 1996 he became the first shortstop in major league history to have a 30-30 season, hitting 33 home runs and stealing 36 bases.  Along with Cal Ripken, Larkin helped to usher in an era of shortstops known for both their defensive and offensive talents.

Pedro Gomez of ESPN posted this picture on Twitter of Larkin getting the call to the Hall. 

While the Baseball Writers' Association of America waited longer than perhaps it should have to elect him, Larkin—one of the greatest all-around shortstops in major league history—truly earned his place in the Hall of Fame.

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