Crawford joins Holliday in AFL Hall of Fame

ST. LOUIS -- Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford has accrued numerous accolades during his baseball career, and he can now add Arizona Fall League Hall of Famer to the list.

The AFL announced Sunday the election of two members to its Hall of Fame, Crawford and Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday. Crawford, a four-time All-Star, is the youngest player in Major League history to reach 100 career home runs, 100 triples and 400 stolen bases. He is the fourth player since 1900 with 1,500 hits and 400 stolen bases before turning 30.

Those numbers helped the speedster join a list that will soon total 36 AFL Hall of Famers. The AFL Hall of Fame was created in 2001 to honor the top Major League players and managers who developed through the league, which was founded in 1992.

"I think it's special," Crawford said. "Any time you can get inducted into any type of Hall of Fame is good. I'm just glad they recognized me and decided to add me on. I'm definitely honored to be on the list."

Playing for the Maryvale Saguaros in 2001, Crawford was leading the AFL in hitting (.386) when he left to join Team USA for the 2001 World Cup in Chinese Taipei. During his stint in the AFL, Crawford appeared in 17 games, stealing nine bases.

Crawford's time and success against baseball's top prospects in the AFL launched him into a Major League career that began in 2002 with Tampa Bay and has continued in this 13th season with the Dodgers.

"It gives you confidence," Crawford said of his experience in the AFL. "You're playing against the top players. If you had any uncertainty about your ability, you come in and play against the top guys and see where you're at. It's kind of a measuring tool to see where your skills are."

Crawford and Holliday will be inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in November.