The Baseball Writers Association of America on Monday announced the vote totals for the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and shortstop Barry Larkin was elected to Cooperstown in his third year on the ballot with 86.4% of the vote. There were three others to receive at least 50% of the vote (with 75% required for election): Jack Morris (66.7%), Jeff Bagwell (56.0%), and Lee Smith (50.6%).
For Smith, it was his highest vote total in 10 years on the ballot. The former all-time saves leader still has five years to make up the other 25% for election, but faces a tough competition as the ballot will become saturated with several great players, controversial or not, like Greg Maddux, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Tom Glavine, Randy Johnson, and more.
| Lee Smith Hall of Fame Voting | |
| Year | Vote% |
| 2003 | 42.3% |
| 2004 | 36.6% |
| 2005 | 38.8% |
| 2006 | 45.0% |
| 2007 | 39.8% |
| 2008 | 43.3% |
| 2009 | 44.5% |
| 2010 | 47.3% |
| 2011 | 45.3% |
| 2012 | 50.6% |
Former Angels outfielder Tim Salmon received five votes for the Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot, but that was just 0.9%, well short of the five percent needed to remain on the ballot for next year.
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