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Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux have a message for ‘Crime Dog’ Fred McGriff after HOF election

By Rylie Smith

21 OCT 1995: FRED MCGRIFF OF THE ATLANTA BRAVES SWATS A HOME RUN IN THE SECOND INNING OF GAME ONE OF THE WORLD SERIES AT FULTON COUNTY STADIUM IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA. THE BRAVES WON THE GAME, 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule/ALLSPORT
21 OCT 1995: FRED MCGRIFF OF THE ATLANTA BRAVES SWATS A HOME RUN IN THE SECOND INNING OF GAME ONE OF THE WORLD SERIES AT FULTON COUNTY STADIUM IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA. THE BRAVES WON THE GAME, 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule/ALLSPORT /
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Former MLB first baseman Fred McGriff was selected to the Cooperstown Hall of Fame, and Chipper Jones and Greg Maddux have shared their thoughts.

Former MLB player Fred “Crime Dog” McGriff has finally made the Cooperstown Hall of Fame, a long time coming. Many are rightfully excited about the selection, including former Atlanta Braves teammates Chipper Jones and Greg Maddux.

Jones shared his admiration for McGriff in an interview with David O’Brien of The Athletic (subscription required, but an excerpt was shared by O’Brien on Twitter).

"“No disrespect to Harold Baines or someone like that, but Freddie McGriff could rake. Five hundred homers, and he was my bodyguard for my first two or three years in the league — and man, he got me a bunch of fastballs.”"

Maddux had a quite humorous congratulations message to McGriff, throwing their other former teammate John Smoltz under the bus with no mercy.

Of course, the comment was all in good fun and as both players shared, McGriff is highly deserving of his spot in the Hall of Fame.

Fred McGriff truly earned his spot in the Hall of Fame

McGriff had a truly legendary career. He finished his career with 493 home runs, tied with fellow Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig. He received 16 votes from the committee, making it a completely unanimous vote, which doesn’t happen often.

Throughout his career, he played for six different teams, played in five All-Star games and won a World Series with the Atlanta Braves. He also earned an All-Star MVP award in 1994.

He quickly emerged as one of the most powerful hitters in the league, finishing his 19-season career slashing .284/.377/.509 for an OPS of .886. He’s led the league multiple times in home runs, including in 1989 (36) with the Toronto Blue Jays and in 1992 (35) with the San Diego Padres. In 1989, he also had the best OPS in the league (.924).

So far, he’s the only one named to the Hall of Fame class of 2023, and he was evidently one of the best choices the committee could’ve made.

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