Jeter, Girardi remember Tim Raines as exceptional teammate, feared lead-off hitter

Tim Raines (AP Photo)

Tim Raines was an outfielder for the New York Yankees for three seasons, 1996-1998. Throughout his entire career, Raines made a name for himself as an exceptional leadoff hitter.

On Wednesday, Raines was elected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the 2017 class.

In three seasons with the Yankees, Raines hit .299 (237-for-793) with 154R, 43 doubles, 18HR and 118RBI in 242 games, winning two World Series championships with the club (1996 and ’98).  In 1997 ALDS Game 1 vs. Cleveland, he hit the first of back-to-back-to-back home runs with Derek Jeter and Paul O’Neill, making the trio the first teammates ever to hit three consecutive home runs in a postseason game.

Raines has always been remembered for being a great teammate in addition to his on-field accomplishments.

“Tim Raines was by far one of my favorite teammates,” said former Yankees captain Derek Jeter. “He taught me how to be a professional and more importantly to enjoy the game and have fun every day. Congratulations Rock.”

Another former teammate, and current Yankees manager, Joe Girardi had similar sentiments,  saying, “Tim Raines was one of the greatest leadoff hitters to ever play the game. Period. He was a game-changer whose numbers speak for themselves. For me personally, he was a treasured teammate and someone people always seemed to gravitate toward. Everyone loved the Rock, except opposing pitchers and catchers.”

Raines joins Jeff Bagwell and another former Yankee, Ivan Rodriguez, as well as Bud Selig and John Schuerholz in the 2017 MLB Hall of Fame class.

Raines also spent part of his career with the Montreal Expos, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, and Florida Marlins.