Barry Larkin, who was planning to spend his morning on the golf course trying to calm his nerves, will be spending the rest of his day celebrating his entrance into baseball's Hall of Fame.

Larkin, who spent his entire 19-year career with the Cincinnati Reds, was the lone player inducted into the Hall of Fame on his third year of the ballot. Larkin received 86.4% of the vote of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, eclipsing the 75% needed for induction.

"I'm at a loss of words for this time," said Larkin. "I'm incredibly, incredibly moved by this experience, so humbled by being newest member of the Hall of Fame.

"I don't know how things changed, but I am so pleased and happy with everything. I was really surprised by the 86%, but I am so thankful for everyone who voted for me and supported me."

BREAK DOWN: Bagwell, Morris make strides

The only other players other than Larkiin to gain more than 50% of the vote were Jack Morris (66.7%), Jeff Bagwell (56.0%) and Lee Smith (50.6%). Morris, who was on the ballot for the 13th time, fell short again but improved from last years total (53.5%). Smith was followed by Tim Raines (48.7%) and Edgar Martinez (36.5%). Bernie Williams had the most votes (9.6%) of the first-timers on the ballot.

PHOTO: Hall of Fame gallery

"The Cincinnati Reds organization and our entire city are thrilled with Barry's election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame," said Reds president and CEO Bob Castellini. "His extraordinary talent has earned him a permanent place in Cooperstown."

He becomes just the 48th Hall of Famer to spend his entire career with one organization. He is just the third Hall of Famer to spend his whole career with the Reds, joining Johnny Bench and Bid McPhee.

"It's a shot of immortality, the best in the history of the game," he said last week. "To be emblazoned into that history of the game is a tremendous honor."

Larkin, the 1995 National League MVP, a 12-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, represents perhaps the final Hall of Fame induction class -- at least for a generation -- not soiled by steroid or human-growth hormone use.

Next year Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa are on the ballot for the first time, all who have been convicted or linked to steroid/HGH use. The ballot also will include second baseman Craig Biggio, catcher Mike Piazza and pitcher Curt Schilling. The ballot will only get stronger in future years with Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Frank Thomas, Jeff Kent and Mike Mussina eligible in 2014; Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz and Gary Sheffield in 2015; and Ken Griffey Jr. and Trevor Hoffman in 2016.

Larkin was the first shortstop in history, in 1996, to join the 30-homer, 30-stolen bases club. He hit at least .300 in nine of his 19 seasons, and wound up with a .295 batting average, 2,340 hits, 198 homers and 379 stolen bases.

"(Barry) was the best shortstop of his era, and if not for Ozzie Smith, he would have had a lot more Gold Glove awards, too," said Jim Bowden, former Reds general manager from 1992-3003.

"It certainly is a deserving honor for the Cincinnati native and Reds shortstop," said Hall of Famer Johnny Bench. "Barry distinguished himself as a tremendous leader and a dominating player."

Larkin, who works for ESPN, is also a spring training instructor for the Reds. He has gone to South Korea and Brazil as an envoy for Major League Baseball and the State Department. He also is a member of the Capital One Cup Advisory Board team, honoring the finest Division 1 college athletic programs.

Larkin, who will appear at a Hall of Fame press conference Tuesday in New York, ironically was already planning to be in Manhattan. He is helping his 16-year-old daughter, Cymcole, put together a music video. They plan to get footage at Times Square and the Empire State Building.

Larkin will be inducted July 22 at Cooperstown, N.Y., along with the late Ron Santo, elected last month by the Veterans Committee. Santo will be represented by his widow.

Holdovers that will remain on the ballot in addition to Morris, Bagwell, Smith and Williams are first basemen Mark McGwire, Fred McGriff, Don Mattingly and Rafael Palmeiro; outfielders Tim Raines, Dale Murphy and Larry Walker; designated hitter-third baseman Edgar Martinez and shortstop Alan Trammell.

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Complete vote:

Barry Larkin 495 (86.4%), Jack Morris 382 (66.7%), Jeff Bagwell 321 (56.0%), Lee Smith 290 (50.6%), Tim Raines 279 (48.7%), Edgar Martinez 209 (36.5%), Alan Trammell 211 (36.8%), Fred McGriff 137 (23.9%), Larry Walker 131 (22.9%), Mark McGwire 112 (19.5%), Don Mattingly 102 (17.8%), Dale Murphy 83 (14.5%), Rafael Palmeiro 72 (12.6%), Bernie Williams 55 (9.6%), Juan Gonzalez 23 (4.0%), Vinny Castilla 6 (1.0%), Tim Salmon 5 (0.9%), Bill Mueller 4 (0.7%), Brad Radke 2 (0.3%), Javy Lopez 1 (0.2%), Eric Young 1 (0.2%), Jeromy Burnitz 0, Brian Jordan 0, Terry Mulholland 0, Phil Nevin 0, Ruben Sierra 0, Tony Womack 0.