A Hall of Fame Call Could Go to Boggs

Wade Boggs might have to get used to a new routine today: life as a Hall of Famer.

The five-time American League batting champion, known for his array of pre- and postgame rituals, is the top newcomer on the Baseball Writers’ Assn. of America ballot, joining holdovers Ryne Sandberg and Bruce Sutter.

During an 18-year, Boggs won five batting titles for the Boston Red Sox, made the All-Star team 12 times and finished with 3,010 hits.

Paul Molitor and Dennis Eckersley were elected to the Hall last year, when Sandberg fell 71 votes shy of the 380 (75%) needed. Bruce Sutter (301) was next.

Boggs, 46, won batting titles in 1983 and from 1985 to ‘88, becoming the first player to win the AL batting championship in four straight years since Rod Carew from 1972 to ’75. Boggs, who hit .300 or higher 15 times, finished with a .328 average and was the only player in the 20th century with seven straight 200-hit seasons. He also became the first player to get 200 hits and 100 walks in four consecutive seasons.

A two-time Gold Glove winner at third base, Boggs played for the Red Sox from 1982-92, then spent five seasons with the New York Yankees, helping the team win the 1996 World Series.

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Four Met executives traveled to Puerto Rico and met for four hours with Carlos Beltran, a major step in New York’s push to sign another prized free agent.

General Manager Omar Minaya and owner Fred Wilpon were among those who flew to San Juan to visit with Beltran, agent Scott Boras, and Boras’ associate, Mike Fiore. Senior vice president of baseball operations Jim Duquette and special assistant Tony Bernazard also made the trip.

“We had a very productive meeting,” Boras said after the session at a San Juan hotel.

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Tanyon Sturtze and the Yankees agreed to a one-year contract that guarantees the right-hander $1 million. Sturtze was 6-2 with a 5.47 earned-run average in three starts and 25 relief appearances.