Monday, the BBWAA released their ballot for the Hall of Fame class of 2024. The results of the vote are due to be revealed on January 24th, with induction taking place July 21st. Scott Rolen was elected in last year’s voting and Jeff Kent fell off the ballot after reaching the ten-year limit, leaving fourteen holdovers along with twelve newcomers.
Let’s take a look at the returning candidates today before moving on to the newcomers tomorrow.
Bobby Abreu
Years on ballot: 4
2023 Percentage: 15.4
After falling off the year before, Abreu starts moving in the right direction again, but has a long way to go.
Carlos Beltran
Years on ballot: 1
2023 Percentage: 46.5
A decent debut for Beltran, which may have been even better had he not been tainted by the Astros cheating scandal.
Mark Buehrle
Years on ballot: 3
2023 Percentage: 10.8
After nearly falling off the ballot in his second go-around, Buehrle bounced back last year but faces an uphill climb if he is to make it to Cooperstown.
Todd Helton
Years on ballot: 5
2023 Percentage: 72.2
After falling just a few votes short last year, Helton should be a lock for election this year.
Torii Hunter
Years on ballot: 3
2023 Percentage: 6.9
Despite a small increase from the previous year, Hunter once again had the lowest percentage of the vote while remaining on the ballot. Things do not look good for the long-term prospects of the former Twin and Angel.
Andruw Jones
Years on ballot: 6
2023 Percentage: 58.1
If voters were to stick to his first eleven seasons, Jones looks like a shoo-in for the Hall. His last seven seasons, though, were so bad that it makes it hard to consider him. After crossing the 50% plateau last year, he is trending in the right direction, but doesn’t have all that much time left.
Andy Pettitte
Years on ballot: 5
2023 Percentage: 17.0
The stain of PEDs looks to be keeping Andy Pettitte on the outside looking in.
Manny Ramirez
Years on ballot: 7
2023 Percentage: 33.2
Despite a small jump in voting percentage, the numerous PED suspensions at the end of Ramirez’s career are certainly holding him back and there isn’t much time left for him to recover.
Alex Rodriguez
Years on ballot: 2
2023 Percentage: 35.7
Barring some big change in the voting bloc of the BBWAA, Redriguez’s numerous PED suspensions will keep him out.
Francisco Rodriguez
Years on ballot: 1
2023 Percentage: 10.8
The single season saves leader, Rodriguez saw a healthy debut last year, but has a long way to go for enshrinement.
Jimmy Rollins
Years on ballot: 2
2023 Percentage: 12.9
Rollins had a great career, but not great enough to be enshrined in Cooperstown.
Gary Sheffield
Years on ballot: 9
2022 Percentage: 55.0
In his last election, 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: 6
2023 Percentage: 19.5
Another drop for Vizquel, who has seen allegations of abuse by an ex-wife and an autistic boy destroy any chance he had of making the Hall.
Billy Wagner
Years on ballot: 8
2023 Percentage: 68.1
A big jump for the former Astro and Phillie closer put him on the cusp of election, but he only has two more shots to get across the finish line.