Tim Raines, former Expos star, eyes Hall of Fame in 2017

Tim Raines is hopeful he'll make the Baseball Hall of Fame next year when he's on the ballot for the 10th and final time.

"This is probably the first year out of the nine years that I've been on the ballot that I really, really feel like I have a chance," Raines said Friday.

Raines, who was part of an event marking 25 years for the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field, knows the numbers. The former leadoff hitter was 23 votes shy earlier this year. He knows he would have to depend on a separate committee if he doesn't make it in 2017.

"I think about it a lot more than I ever have in the past," Raines said.

Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza will be enshrined in Cooperstown, N.Y., this summer.

'I'll be grateful'

Jeff Bagwell appeared on 71.6 per cent of ballots and Raines was included on 69.8 per cent, just shy of the 75 per cent needed. But no player has ever received as much of the vote as Bagwell and Raines and never eventually gotten in.

Raines hit .294 in a 23-year career in which he walked 1,330 times and stole 808 stolen bases. He was a seven-time MLB all-star with the Montreal Expos and was being honoured Friday for helping the White Sox reach the post-season in 1993.

The former outfielder hopes voters will find room for two leadoff hitters from his era in the Hall of Fame, as he would join Rickey Henderson in the illustrious group.

"I don't know the reason [why] you can't have two guys being great leadoff guys," Raines said. "Things have gotten better over the nine years I've been on the ballot.

"For those 23 that want to vote for me next year, please. I'll be grateful," he added, smiling. "It would be something I never dreamed of and never really thought. But it would be something I'd be very appreciative of."