Yesterday, the BBWAA released their ballot for the Hall of Fame class of 2023. The results of the vote are due to be revealed on January 24th, with induction taking place July 23rd. David Ortiz was elected in last year’s voting and notable PED suspects Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Sammy Sosa fell off the ballot after reaching their ten-year limit, the new ballot contains fourteen holdovers along with another fourteen newcomers. For the first time in a decade, the logjam caused by a combination of BBWAA rules limiting the number of votes on one ballot to ten and the ongoing refusal by some writers to vote for players tainted by PEDs has come to an end.
Let’s take a look at the returning candidates today before moving on to the newcomers tomorrow.
Bobby Abreu
Years on ballot: 3
2022 Percentage: 8.6
A miniscule decrease for Abreu last year means he is trending in the wrong direction.
Mark Buehrle
Years on ballot: 2
2022 Percentage: 5.8
A big drop left the former White Sox hurler on the precipice of getting dropped off the ballot. With the logjam removed and spaces open on ballots that were full last year, we’ll see if he regains some support.
Todd Helton
Years on ballot: 4
2022 Percentage: 52.0
Helton seems to be moving on the right track, getting over 50% for the first time, but I don’t think this will be his year. He should make it eventually though.
Torii Hunter
Years on ballot: 2
2022 Percentage: 5.3
Hunter had the lowest percentage of the vote while remaining on the ballot from last year’s election. Things do not look good for the long time Twin and Angel.
Andruw Jones
Years on ballot: 5
2022 Percentage: 41.4
If voters were to stick to his first 11 seasons, Jones looks like a shoe-in for the Hall. His last 7 seasons, though, were so bad that it makes it hard to consider him. Despite another big increase in votes, those final seasons seem to be holding sway.
Jeff Kent
Years on ballot: 9
2022 Percentage: 32.7
In the final go-around for the 2000 NL MVP, things do not look all that promising.
Andy Pettitte
Years on ballot: 4
2022 Percentage: 10.7
The stain of PEDs looks to be keeping Andy Pettitte on the outside looking in.
Manny Ramirez
Years on ballot: 6
2022 Percentage: 28.2
The numerous PED suspensions at the end of Ramirez’s career are certainly holding him back, as his unchanged vote percentage shows.
Alex Rodriguez
Years on ballot: 1
2022 Percentage: 34.3
Barring some big change in the voting bloc of the BBWAA, Redriguez’s numerous PED suspensions will keep him out.
Scott Rolen
Years on ballot: 5
2022 Percentage: 63.2
The highest vote getter from last year’s election left on the ballot, Rolen may be primed to be the sole electee this year.
Jimmy Rollins
Years on ballot: 1
2022 Percentage: 9.4
Rollins had a great career, but not great enough to be enshrined in Cooperstown.
Gary Sheffield
Years on ballot: 8
2022 Percentage: 40.6
With just two elections to go, Sheffield looks to be out of luck thanks to PED use which has derailed what would otherwise be considered a sure-fire HOF career.
Omar Vizquel
Years on ballot: 5
2022 Percentage: 23.9
Vizquel saw his numbers in freefall last year following allegations of abuse by an ex-wife and an autistic boy.
Billy Wagner
Years on ballot: 7
2022 Percentage: 51.0
The former Astro and Phillie closer saw another small increase last year, though he still has a long way to go and only a few more tries to get there if he’s going to make it.