As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, we remember several African-American athletes that made their mark on professional sports in the United States.
None of it would be possible without Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, but that led to the inclusion and emergence of several more MLB stars.
On Saturday, MLB honored one of the newest members of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, Fred McGriff, also known as “The Crime Dog.”
McGriff was elected to the Hall in December, merely a month before Scott Rolen was elected.
On Twitter, MLB Network posted a video compilation of some of McGriff’s best moments.
“Fred McGriff, welcome to Cooperstown!”#BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/4Bj7dtekYQ
—MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 12, 2023
McGriff played from 1986-2004, splitting time between the Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
He was a five-time All-Star, a three-time Silver Slugger, an All-Star Game MVP, and a 1995 World Series champion with the Braves.
The 59-year-old had a career batting average of .284 and hit a total of 493 home runs.
He also had a career WAR of 52.6, an OPS of .886, and an OPS+ of 134.
He even managed to hit at least 30 home runs in a season for five different teams.
Though he didn’t get enough votes to be elected to the Hall of Fame during his time on the ballot, The Crime Dog’s accomplishments were later recognized, and he was finally given the honor in late December.
The video ended with McGriff celebrating the honor of being enshrined in Cooperstown, something he’ll get a chance to celebrate further this coming July.
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