Milwaukee Brewers: Four Former Brewers on Hall of Fame Ballot

The National Baseball Hall of Fame ballots were announced today and while big names like Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza are on the list, four former Brewers, Trevor Hoffman, Gary Sheffield, Jim Edmonds and Jason Kendall are on the ballot as well. While much of their career was spent in other places, here is a look at their time in Milwaukee.

More from Reviewing the Brew

• Brewers: 4 Players Who Must Step Up for the Crew to Make the Playoffs
• Brewers: Yet Another Huge Promotion For Top Prospect Jackson Chourio
• Brewers Making Colossal Mistake With Corbin Burnes’ Contract
• Which Players May Be In The Final Month Of Their Brewers Careers?
• Brewers: Where Does Devin Williams Stand In NL Reliever Of The Year Race?

Trevor Hoffman

Of the four on the ballot, Trevor Hoffman is a sure hall of famer. With one of the best change-ups in the history of baseball, Hoffman became the first player to record over 600 saves and he is one of only two players to eclipse the mark. In his 18-years as a professional he has been an all-star seven times and he is currently second in all-time saves, trailing only the great, Mariano Rivera.

While his career is most known for his time in San Diego, he finished his time in Milwaukee. Here he not only recorded his 600th save, but he also played a big role in helping pitcher, John Axford gain confidence in the closer’s role. Hell’s Bells, kept Miller Park rocking each time he entered during these two seasons.

Gary Sheffield

Though Gary Sheffield’s time in baseball may be hall of fame worthy, he may go down as one of the most hated players ever in Milwaukee. As a player who wanted a way out, Sheffield got his career started with the Brewers. In his time here he batted .259 with 21 home runs and the biggest ego on the roster.

He finished his career 509 home runs a .292 batting averages and one of the quickest bats in baseball history.

Jim Edmonds

Though Edmonds spent time with six teams, he is most well known for his time with both the St. Louis Cardinals and the California/Anaheim Angels. As one of the better defensive outfielders in baseball, he was an eight time Gold Glover and made some of the most incredible catches of all-time in centerfield.

Edmonds spent 73 games of his final season in Milwaukee, batting .286 until he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in mid-August. He finished his career with a .284 career batting average with 393 home runs and a .901 OPS.

Jason Kendall

The best years of Jason Kendall‘s career came in his nine year’s in Pittsburgh. There he batted .306, as he often saw time atop the lineup. Though his career number’s are nothing special and he won’t ever get in, he was a “gamer” throughout his playing career and a guy that played the game the right way each time out.

Kendall spent the end of his career in Milwaukee, playing two years there before heading to Kansas City for a season. He batted .244 as a Brewer and he also played an important role on their first playoff team since 1982. In the 2008 season, he also threw out a league high 43% of runners who attempted to steal on him.