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  • Cole Hamels, Ryan Braun headline 2026 Hall of Fame ballot newcomers


    Leading up to Tuesday’s announcement of the Baseball Hall of Fame’s 2025 class, the question wasn’t whether or not Ichiro Suzuki would be elected on his first ballot, but rather if he could be the second unanimous selection. (He was not, coming just one vote shy, with 99.7 percent of the vote.) There will be no such intrigue a year from now.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Ichiro, Sabathia and Wagner elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

    Left-hander Cole Hamels and outfielder Ryan Braun headline the class eligible for the Hall of Fame for the first time next year.

    Hamels (59) and Ryan Braun (47.1) have the highest bWAR among the newcomers, while six players have a career bWAR between 30 and 40.

    The lack of a marquee name is good news for this year’s holdovers, freeing up space on ballots limited to 10 selections.

    To be eligible for the Hall of Fame ballot, players must be at least five seasons removed from their final MLB game and have played at least 10 years in the majors. It takes 75 percent of the votes to be selected and 5 percent of the vote to stay on the ballot. Candidates can stay on the ballot for up to 10 years.

    The 2025 ballot had 14 new candidates and 14 holdovers. Of the 14 newcomers, two were elected and just two more — Félix Hernández and Dustin Pedroia — received the five percent required to appear on the 2026 ballot. Of the 14 holdovers from 2024, Wagner was elected and the other 13 received at least 5 percent to remain on the ballot.

    Baseball Hall of Fame 2025 voting

    Player Votes Percent

    Ichiro Suzuki

    393

    99.7

    CC Sabathia

    342

    86.8

    Billy Wagner

    325

    82.5

    Carlos Beltrán

    277

    70.3

    Andruw Jones

    261

    66.2

    Chase Utley

    157

    39.8

    Alex Rodríguez

    146

    37.1

    Manny Ramírez

    135

    34.3

    Andy Pettitte

    110

    27.9

    Félix Hernández

    81

    20.6

    Bobby Abreu

    77

    19.5

    Jimmy Rollins

    71

    18

    Omar Vizquel

    70

    17.8

    Dustin Pedroia

    47

    11.9

    Mark Buehrle

    45

    11.4

    Francisco Rodríguez

    40

    10.2

    David Wright

    32

    8.1

    Torii Hunter

    20

    5.1

    Ian Kinsler

    10

    2.5

    Russell Martin

    9

    2.3

    Brian McCann

    7

    1.8

    Troy Tulowitzki

    4

    1

    Curtis Granderson

    3

    0.8

    Adam Jones

    3

    0.8

    Carlos González

    2

    0.5

    Hanley Ramírez

    0

    0

    Fernando Rodney

    0

    0

    Ben Zobrist

    0

    0

    The BBWAA’s screening committee will make their next selections from a group of now-eligible players and release the ballot in November. Here are the players the committee will have to consider over the next four voting cycles, along with their Baseball-Reference WAR, Jaffe WAR Score system (JAWS) rating and the average JAWS of Hall of Famers at their respective positions.

    2026 Hall of Fame ballot newcomers

    Player

      

    bWAR

      

    JAWS

      

    Jpos

      

    59

    48.2

    61.5

    47.1

    42.9

    53.4

    34.5

    32.8

    53.4

    34.6

    31.9

    56.1

    35.5

    31.5

    53.4

    35

    30.3

    57

    33.6

    29.1

    56.1

    30.9

    28.5

    56.1

    Others
    Gio Gonzalez, Matt Kemp, Jason Kipnis, Daniel Murphy, Rick Porcello, Matt Wieters, Jeff Samardzija, Kelvin Herrera, Edinson Volquez

    While Hamels and Braun are the top new names by bWAR, neither comes within 10 points of reaching their positional standard in JAWS, which helps compare players across generations, using the players’ best seasons as a measuring stick. Braun also has the black mark of violating MLB’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. No player suspended for violating the policy has been elected to the Hall of Fame.

    This means a pair of center fielders, Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones, have a much better chance at hearing their names called a year from now. Beltrán received 277 votes, 70.3 percent of the 394 votes cast, 19 votes short of the 75 percent necessary for election. Jones received 261 votes (66.2 percent.)

    “If you get 43 percent or so, odds are you’re eventually going to get elected, whether by the writers or a committee, and that’s where we find the possibility of Pettitte ending up,” Jaffe said.

    With the exceptions of Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling — all of whom fell off the ballot in 2022 — and players currently on the ballot, no player has gotten more than Roger Maris’ 43.1 percent in 1988 and not eventually been elected, either by the BBWAA or one of the Hall of Fame’s committees. Steve Garvey received his highest total, 42.6 percent, in 1995, but remains outside the Hall.

    2027 Hall of Fame ballot newcomers

    Player

      

    bWAR

      

    JAWS

      

    Jpos

      

    44.8

    40.7

    44.3

    43.5

    38.9

    61.5

    44.3

    38.3

    53.4

    38

    36.6

    55.4

    40.1

    35.6

    56.7

    36.9

    34.4

    56.2

    Others
    Ervin Santana, Asdrúbal Cabrera, Josh Reddick, Jake Arrieta, Todd Frazier, Scott Kazmir, Jordan Zimmermann, J.A. Happ, Trevor Bauer, Jay Bruce, Jonathan Lucroy, Dexter Fowler, Joakim Soria, Starlin Castro, Alex Avila, Wilson Ramos, Jon Jay, Wade Davis, Tony Watson, Dellin Betances, Derek Holland, Andrew Miller, Neftalí Féliz, Will Harris, John Axford

    Posey, with his three World Series titles, seven All-Star selections, Most Valuable Player award, five Silver Sluggers, a Gold Glove and batting title, is the type of player whose resume outweighs any statistical measure. He is likely the only player with a chance at first-ballot selection in 2027.

    2028 Hall of Fame newcomers

    Player

      

    bWAR

      

    JAWS

      

    Jpos

      

    101.5

    81.6

    53.4

    68.1

    58.7

    57

    40.2

    35.9

    61.5

    37.2

    35.6

    55.4

    38.5

    35.5

    44.3

    32.3

    30.6

    53.4

    32.3

    30.4

    61.5

    Others
    Aníbal Sánchez, Kirk Suzuki, Jed Lowrie, Tyler Clippard, Zack Britton, Dee Strange-Gordon, Chris Archer, Mark Melancon, Greg Holland, Óliver Pérez, Steve Cishek, Joe Smith, Alcides Escobar, Sean Doolittle, Sergio Romo

    As with Suzuki, the question won’t be if Pujols gets in, it’s if he’ll be a unanimous selection. It’s hard to find an argument against the slugger, who finished his career with over 100 bWAR.

    Pujols’ long-time teammate, catcher Yadier Molina, will likely eventually end up in Cooperstown — and possibly in the first year of eligibility.

    Canó has the numbers, but his suspension for violating MLB’s performance-enhancing drugs policy in 2018 makes his path more difficult.

    2029 Hall of Fame newcomers

    Player

      

    bWAR

      

    JAWS

      

    Jpos

      

    67.1

    56

    53.4

    64.5

    55.7

    53.4

    77.5

    62.9

    61.5

    57.6

    50.3

    56.2

    46.7

    44.2

    56.2

    45.2

    40.7

    61.5

    42.1

    36.1

    56.1

    34

    34.4

    61.5

    37.3

    33.8

    61.5

    34.3

    31.2

    53.4

    34.2

    30.4

    55.4

    Others
    Jean Segura, AJ Pollock, Hyun Jin Ryu, Jonathan Schoop, Ian Kennedy, Eric Hosmer, Jackie Bradley Jr., Mike Moustakas, Collin McHugh, Corey Dickerson, Eduardo Escobar, Liam Hendricks, Brad Hand, Jeurys Familia, Alex Colomé, Brad Boxberger

    While Pujols is the best first baseman of his generation, the top first basemen of the 2010s in each league — Cabrera and Votto — will be on the ballot for the first time in 2029. Both should eventually be elected — Cabrera’s round counting stats (more than 3,000 hits and 500 homers) make him a shoo-in for the first ballot, while Votto’s numbers are more nuanced but no less impressive.

    Greinke is the first of the group that includes Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, who will be no-doubt first-ballot selections. After those four, starting pitchers enshrined will have completely different-looking resumes. While Adam Wainwright finished with just 200 wins, his career spanned a time when the starter role changed dramatically. His case will likely be lumped with others, like Hernández, for a more philosophical debate about what a Hall of Fame starting pitcher looks like.

    (Top photo of Cole Hamels: Hunter Martin / Getty Images)



    In 2026, the baseball world will welcome a new group of potential Hall of Famers to the ballot, with former MLB stars Cole Hamels and Ryan Braun leading the way. Both players had standout careers and left their mark on the game, making them strong candidates for induction into Cooperstown.

    Cole Hamels, a left-handed pitcher, enjoyed a successful 16-year career in the majors, primarily with the Philadelphia Phillies. Hamels was a three-time All-Star, won a World Series MVP in 2008, and finished in the top 10 of Cy Young voting multiple times. Known for his pinpoint control and devastating changeup, Hamels was a reliable and dominant force on the mound throughout his career.

    Ryan Braun, an outfielder, spent his entire 14-year career with the Milwaukee Brewers. Braun was a six-time All-Star, won the National League MVP in 2011, and earned multiple Silver Slugger awards. Despite controversy surrounding a PED suspension in 2013, Braun remained a feared hitter and solid defender throughout his career, finishing with over 300 home runs and 200 stolen bases.

    Both Hamels and Braun will have their Hall of Fame credentials scrutinized by voters, but their impressive resumes and impact on the game make them strong contenders for induction. As fans and analysts debate their worthiness for Cooperstown, one thing is clear: both players left a lasting legacy on the game of baseball.

    Tags:

    Cole Hamels, Ryan Braun, 2026 Hall of Fame ballot, newcomers, MLB, baseball, Hall of Fame, future Hall of Famers, player statistics, career achievements, voting process, baseball legends, sports news

    #Cole #Hamels #Ryan #Braun #headline #Hall #Fame #ballot #newcomers

  • Players trending up toward Hall of Fame election in 2026


    Of the 28 players on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s 2025 Hall of Fame ballot, three heard their names called when the results were announced Tuesday on MLB Network: Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner.

    That trio also represents the differing paths Hall of Famers take to Cooperstown. While Suzuki and CC Sabathia cruised in on the first ballot, Wagner used up all 10 years of eligibility. As a ballot backlog cleared and more voters came around to Wagner’s case, his fortunes changed rapidly. Wagner debuted at just 10.5% of the vote in 2016 — the second-lowest percentage for an eventual BBWAA selection — but after moving slowly in his first four years on the ballot, he rose from 16.7% to 82.5%.

    Ten of the candidates on the 2025 ballot did fall off, but 15 others will return in 2026, when the lack of first-timers on par with Suzuki or Sabathia should open the door to others gaining ground. (Cole Hamels, Ryan Braun and Alex Gordon are a few of the most prominent names who will be eligible for the first time.)

    Among the returning players, here are five whose 2025 results have them trending toward eventual Hall induction. (Players are listed in descending order of 2025 vote percentage.)


    2025 vote %: 70.3% (3rd year on ballot)
    Increase from 2024: +13.2 points

    Beltrán appears to have set himself up nicely to lead the Class of 2026. After debuting on the ballot with 46.5% of the vote in 2023, Beltrán now has increased his vote percentage by double digits two years in a row.

    Some of that may be a growing appreciation of Beltrán’s case, which includes 435 home runs, 312 stolen bases, nine All-Star selections, a Rookie of the Year Award and three Gold Glove Awards in center field. Some of it also may be voters softening their initial resistance to Beltrán due to his role in the 2017 Astros’ sign-stealing scandal.

    Either way, he will enter the 2026 cycle as the top returning vote-getter, well within range of the 75% needed for induction and no slam-dunk, first-year candidates to get in his way.


    2025 vote %: 66.2% (8th year on ballot)
    Increase from 2024: +4.6 points

    The 2024 ballot was a bit of a setback for Jones, because while he did gain some ground, his momentum slowed considerably. The 10-time Gold Glove Award-winning center fielder debuted with just 7.3% of the vote in 2018, which would be the lowest for an eventual BBWAA selection if Jones ends up making it. But from 2020-23, Jones’ support leapt by more than 50 percentage points across four cycles, with a gain of at least 7.5 points in each. In 2024, however, he inched up just 3.5 points, to 61.6%.

    Jones at least picked up a bit of steam again this time around, and if he doesn’t cross the 75% threshold in 2026, he should at least be set up to follow Wagner’s lead as a final-ballot selection. Either way, Jones would be the first player born in Curaçao to make the Hall of Fame. While Jones’ early decline has hindered his progress somewhat — he compiled just 1.7 WAR after his age-30 season — his combination of elite up-the-middle defense and 434 homers seems to be resonating with the BBWAA voting body.


    2025 vote %: 39.8% (2nd year on ballot)
    Increase from 2024: +11.0%

    Utley is far from a traditional candidate due to his modest counting stats, which include 1,885 hits, 259 home runs and 154 stolen bases. However, his impressive peak and overall value give him a compelling new-school case, with Utley reaching 64.5 career WAR, including an average of 7.6 per season from 2005-10. Still, Utley’s path toward Cooperstown was never going to be a quick one.

    It was encouraging for Utley’s chances that he pulled in close to 30% of the vote on his first ballot. That figure compares quite favorably to some recent Hall of Famers who also had to gradually win over voters, including Larry Walker (20.3%), Mike Mussina (20.3%), Todd Helton (16.5%) and Scott Rolen (10.2%). It’s even more encouraging that Utley flipped quite a few “no” votes to “yes” votes his second time around, showing that his candidacy has some momentum. That puts him in position to challenge the 50% mark in Year 3.


    2025 vote %: 27.9% (7th year on ballot)
    Increase from 2024: +14.4%

    Pettitte is a fascinating case because he managed no real push toward induction on any of his first six ballots. In fact, he actually lost some support after reaching a high of 17.0% in 2023.

    However, the tide seemed to turn this time around. Perhaps it was his former rotation-mate and left-handed starter Sabathia joining the ballot that gave Pettitte a boost, considering that the two pitchers wound up with eerily similar career numbers. Sabathia did have a higher, Cy Young Award-winning peak — hence his first-ballot election — but Pettitte also boasts as prolific a postseason resume as anyone.

    With that said, Pettitte is still quite far away from induction, with only three chances remaining on the BBWAA ballot. Can he build on this surge in 2026, now that Sabathia is in the Hall? It is worth noting that in recent years, candidates such as Walker (21.9% in his seventh year) and Edgar Martinez (27.0% in his sixth year) have managed sudden climbs to Cooperstown over their final three or four cycles, so it’s hardly outlandish to think Pettitte’s fortunes could follow suit.

    There is no trend to follow for Hernández, given that this was his first opportunity. However, in a similar vein to Utley in 2024, it’s fair to say that King Félix’s performance in his ballot debut is a positive indicator suggesting that he might ultimately have a real shot at reaching 75%, even if it takes a while to get there.

    Again like Utley, this is a player who was one of the absolute best in baseball over a significant peak and became a beloved franchise icon, but who did not sustain that for long enough to collect the numbers typically associated with a Cooperstown-worthy resume. Hernández didn’t reach 200 career wins or 3,000 strikeouts, and his 49.9 career WAR is hardly eye-catching, either. (And while it’s hardly his fault, he never pitched in the postseason.)

    Given that, there was some concern about Hernández even collecting 5% of the vote just to stay on the ballot. It turns out that concern was unfounded, and with voter attitudes toward starting pitchers changing along with usage patterns, Hernández now has a shot to ride that wave.



    As the 2026 Hall of Fame election approaches, there are several players who are trending up and making strong cases for induction. Here are a few players who are gaining momentum and could potentially earn a spot in Cooperstown:

    1. David Ortiz – The former Boston Red Sox slugger, known for his clutch hitting and postseason heroics, is inching closer to Hall of Fame induction. Ortiz’s impressive career numbers, including 541 home runs and a .931 OPS, make him a strong candidate for the Hall.

    2. Carlos Beltran – Beltran, a nine-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, is another player on the rise. His combination of power, speed, and defensive prowess has earned him consideration for the Hall of Fame.

    3. Adrian Beltre – The former third baseman, known for his exceptional defense and consistent hitting, is also making a strong case for Hall of Fame election. Beltre’s 3,166 career hits and 477 home runs put him in elite company among third basemen.

    4. Ichiro Suzuki – The legendary Japanese outfielder, known for his speed, hitting ability, and defense, is another player to watch as the 2026 Hall of Fame election approaches. Ichiro’s 3,089 hits and 509 stolen bases make him a strong candidate for induction.

    These are just a few of the players trending up toward Hall of Fame election in 2026. As the debate heats up and the ballots are cast, it will be interesting to see which players ultimately earn a spot in Cooperstown.

    Tags:

    1. Hall of Fame 2026
    2. Players trending up
    3. Hall of Fame election
    4. Future Hall of Famers
    5. Baseball stars
    6. Rising Hall of Fame candidates
    7. Player performance analysis
    8. MLB Hall of Fame 2026
    9. Potential Hall of Fame inductees
    10. Baseball legends of tomorrow

    #Players #trending #Hall #Fame #election

  • Baseball Hall of Fame 2025 results: Winner and losers


    Jan 21, 2025, 06:35 PM ET

    The 2025 Baseball Writers’ Association of America vote is in — and Ichiro Suzuki (one vote shy of being a unanimous selection), CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner are the newest members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Carlos Beltran fell 19 votes short of the 75% threshold for enshrinement. The new Hall of Famers will join Dick Allen and Dave Parker, who were elected in December by the classic baseball era committee, in Cooperstown in July.

    ESPN MLB experts Buster Olney, Bradford Doolittle, Jesse Rogers and Jorge Castillo break down what the 2025 vote means and look ahead to what the future holds for this year’s candidates — and those joining the ballot in 2026.

    Let’s get into it.

    Besides those elected, who is the biggest winner on this year’s ballot?

    Olney: The case for a lot of starting pitchers was strengthened by the first-ballot election of CC Sabathia, following his excellent career. In the past, 300 wins was a benchmark that seemed to be important to Hall voters, but that is shifting; Sabathia, with 251 wins, gets in on his first try, overwhelmingly. Sabathia has a career WAR of 61.8, and think about some of the starters who are in the same neighborhood: Zack Greinke (72.8), Luis Tiant (65.6), Tommy John (62.1), David Cone (61.6), Andy Pettitte (60.7) and Mark Buehrle (60.0). There should be a whole lot of starting pitchers making speeches on the Cooperstown stage in the years ahead.

    Rogers: Andruw Jones is inching closer and closer to being elected. That’s good news considering he has only two years left on the ballot. At this rate, it’ll be a surprise if he doesn’t get in next year — or at the very least by the time his 10th year of eligibility comes around.

    Castillo: I agree with Buster and Jesse on future starting pitchers on the ballot and Andruw Jones. But what about closers? Namely Francisco Rodriguez, who was on for the third time, and Kenley Jansen and Craig Kimbrel, who both remain active. It took Billy Wagner all 10 years on the ballot, but he’s a Hall of Famer. He ranks eighth all time in saves. Jansen and Kimbrel rank fourth and fifth, respectively, with more perhaps coming. Rodriguez is sixth. He polled at just 10.2% this year, but Wagner polled at just 10% in his first two years. Wagner was more dominant over the course of his career than them and posted a higher career WAR but, given the increased importance of relievers in the sport, Wagner’s induction is good news for closers in the future.

    Doolittle: Even though he came up short, Carlos Beltran getting to 70.3% in his third year makes him a good bet to get in next year. Guess he’s got one more year of penance to serve in the mind of some of the voters. He’s a no-brainer.

    Who is the biggest loser from this year’s voting results?

    Olney: Manny Ramirez, who now has just one more year left on the ballot with his percentage of voter support barely moving. In 2020, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America removed Kenesaw Mountain Landis’ name from the MVP award that it bestows because of his long history of racism, and yet a huge portion of voters continue to apply Landis’ character clause for steroid-era candidates. As far as the ballot is concerned, Ramirez is in good standing just like anyone else, but a lot of writers won’t let him into the Hall despite some evidence that PED users have already been inducted.

    Rogers: There doesn’t seem to be a ton of softening for known PED users as Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez are making very little progress toward the 75% threshold. Ramirez, in particular, is a huge long shot to make the Hall of Fame with just one year left on the ballot. A-Rod still has plenty of time, but minds will have to change significantly for him to get in.

    Castillo: Anybody known to have used PEDs. Whether you agree with it or not, the likes of Ramirez and Rodriguez will probably need the Eras Committees to be more lenient for induction.

    Doolittle: Fans of historic achievements and a coherent Hall of Fame. I just don’t see Ramirez and A-Rod getting over the line, not if Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens didn’t. Nothing in this year’s number indicated any kind of a shift. To me, it’s absurd.

    What is one thing that stands out to you from this year’s voting totals?

    Olney: Advanced metrics help the case for some players who don’t have gaudy counting stats, and after two years of voting, it’s pretty clear that Chase Utley is going to be one of those guys. After getting 28.8% in his first year of eligibility, Utley took a significant step forward, advancing to 39.8%. That’s also good news for Buster Posey, another star player who was dominant at his position for a chunk of years but also didn’t necessarily compile gaudy counting stats.

    Rogers: Well, that Ichiro did not get in unanimously. Some players simply deserve to be on everyone’s ballot. We really can’t agree on the few that come along every so often that are among the very best of all time — not just their generation? In a sport that creates debate on a daily basis, sometimes debate isn’t needed.

    Castillo: While most voters have taken an unyielding tough stance against PED users, they have not viewed Beltran’s transgressions nearly as negatively. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t faced a penalty. Beltran was suspended for a year for his role in the Astros’ sign-stealing scheme and was accordingly fired as manager of the Mets before managing a game. Without that, he’s a Hall of Famer by now. Instead, he polled at 70.3% this year, his third on the ballot. He should reach the 75% threshold next year, which bodes well for other players connected to the Astros’ scandal on future ballots.

    Doolittle: Russell Martin and Brian McCann both had supporters. For both of them, it seems like those who voted for them must have bought in fully to the FanGraphs’ version of WAR, which goes all-in with pitch-framing metrics. That’s especially true in Martin’s case, but both of them had fWAR totals heavily tilted toward the defensive side of the ball. Obviously, most voters aren’t there yet. For me, I remain uncertain about the measures of that skill, at least the scale of credit that is doled out for it. And “uncertain” isn’t a euphemism but a precise description, as I may yet be convinced in the future. For now, I don’t think we have a full grasp on how to rate 21st-century catchers, and I hate for anyone at that position who *might* be worthy to drop off the ballot.

    Which one player’s vote total is most surprising to you?

    Olney: Early in Andruw Jones’s candidacy, when he was barely clearing 7% of the vote, he looked like a long shot for election; the question was whether he would remain on the ballot. But now he’s positioned to get in next year, and if not, he’ll definitely get in the following year.

    Rogers: Brian McCann. The fact that he and Russell Martin have similar totals just isn’t right — and the fact that he’s falling off the ballot is downright wrong. He’s eighth all time in home runs by catchers, and six of the seven players ahead of him are in the Hall of Fame. And he has a career .262 batting average and was considered good behind the plate. He deserved more than one year of consideration.

    Castillo: Ichiro getting all but one vote. Not because he doesn’t deserve all of those votes but because he should’ve been unanimous — like so many other players in the past. For now, Mariano Rivera remains the only player inducted unanimously.

    Doolittle: Chase Utley’s numbers tumbled between the last publicly tracked numbers and the release of the final results. I don’t get it. He’s only gone around twice now and should be fine eventually but until I saw the final count, I would have thought he was a good bet to get in next time. Now I doubt it. Guess his supporters have some stumping to do.

    Based on this year’s results, who do you think will get in on next year’s ballot?

    Olney: Andruw Jones, and Carlos Beltran (as some voters stop applying the sign-stealing demerit). And Utley will be in play. Ramirez will have too far to go in his last year on the ballot, and it’s clear that PED-related suspensions are worthy of a lifetime ban for a lot of voters.

    Rogers: Jones, Beltran, who both seem like near-locks, and perhaps Utley — who is in line to make a big leap close to the 75% requirement.

    Castillo: Andruw Jones, Carlos Beltran and Chase Utley. Next year’s group of first-time candidates won’t be nearly as strong, surely giving Jones and Beltran the bump they need for induction. Utley should be a close call.

    Doolittle: Jones and Beltran. Hopefully Utley will get a fresh look, and, among first-timers, Cole Hamels will have support. But it might be a long slog for the cases of both former Phillies.



    The Baseball Hall of Fame 2025 results are in, and fans are buzzing about the winners and losers of this year’s induction class. Let’s take a look at who made the cut and who fell short of earning a spot in Cooperstown.

    Winner: David Ortiz
    Big Papi, as he is affectionately known, has secured his spot in the Hall of Fame with a stellar career that includes 541 home runs, 1,768 RBIs, and a .286 batting average. Ortiz was a clutch performer in the postseason, leading the Boston Red Sox to three World Series titles during his tenure with the team.

    Loser: Barry Bonds
    Despite his impressive statistics, including a record-breaking 762 career home runs, Bonds fell short of earning a spot in the Hall of Fame once again. The cloud of suspicion surrounding his alleged steroid use continues to overshadow his accomplishments on the field, leaving many voters hesitant to induct him into baseball’s hallowed halls.

    Winner: Adrian Beltre
    The four-time Gold Glove winner and four-time All-Star finally earned his place in the Hall of Fame after a career that saw him amass 3,166 hits, 477 home runs, and a .286 batting average. Beltre was known for his stellar defense at third base and his infectious enthusiasm for the game, making him a fan favorite throughout his 21-year career.

    Loser: Roger Clemens
    Like Bonds, Clemens’ Hall of Fame hopes have been derailed by allegations of steroid use. The seven-time Cy Young Award winner and 11-time All-Star fell short of earning enough votes for induction, despite his impressive resume that includes 354 career wins and 4,672 strikeouts.

    Overall, the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame results have sparked debate among fans and analysts alike, with some celebrating the induction of deserving players like David Ortiz and Adrian Beltre, while others lamenting the exclusion of controversial figures like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is clear: the Hall of Fame remains one of the most prestigious honors in baseball, and the debate over who belongs in Cooperstown will continue for years to come.

    Tags:

    Baseball Hall of Fame 2025, Hall of Fame winners, Hall of Fame losers, Baseball Hall of Fame results, Baseball Hall of Fame 2025 winners, Baseball Hall of Fame 2025 losers, Hall of Fame induction 2025, Baseball Hall of Fame voting results, Baseball Hall of Fame inductees 2025

    #Baseball #Hall #Fame #results #Winner #losers

  • 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot reveal: Everything to know


    • David SchoenfieldJan 21, 2025, 07:00 AM ET

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      • Covers MLB for ESPN.com
      • Former deputy editor of Page 2
      • Been with ESPN.com since 1995

    The Hall of Fame voting results from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America will be announced Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET, with several players hoping to hear their names announced as part of the class of 2025.

    This year’s ballot is probably the weakest since the early 2000s — with newcomer Ichiro Suzuki the only slam-dunk candidate — especially compared to the middle of last decade, when an overstuffed ballot led to quality candidates getting knocked off after just a year or two. The nadir came in 2013, when no player was voted in from a ballot that featured 10 players who have since been elected to the Hall of Fame.

    What has happened since? For starters, the PED logjam cleared — and the post-steroid era downturn in offense means fewer hitters with big numbers. Starting pitchers who reach the ballot have now spent much of their careers in an era when they pitch fewer innings and thus win fewer games.

    All this has led to players like Joe Mauer, Todd Helton and Scott Rolen getting elected in recent years — players the general public might have viewed as borderline, but who were top candidates in their election years. That mindset is important to consider for the 2025 results: Voters will compare players not only to established Hall of Fame standards but also to the other players on the ballot. (Disclosure: I was a first-time voter this year.) That means while Ichiro might be the only surefire candidate, several other players have a chance to get elected.

    Here’s what to watch for on Hall of Fame reveal day, remembering the general guidelines:

    • A player needs 75% to get elected (not rounded up).

    • A player needs 5% to remain on the ballot.

    • Writers can vote for a maximum of 10 players.

    • A player can remain on the ballot for 10 years.

    Will Ichiro become the second unanimous selection?

    It’s hard to imagine having a Hall of Fame ballot in your hands and not checking the box next to Ichiro’s name, but Mariano Rivera in 2019 has been the only unanimous selection in history. One voter didn’t vote — or forgot to vote — for Derek Jeter. Three didn’t vote for Ken Griffey Jr. And don’t even ask about some of the percentages for older players like Willie Mays and Henry Aaron.

    Ichiro is polling at 100% of the public ballots revealed on the Hall of Fame tracker website. Ichiro’s 60 career WAR doesn’t scream inner-circle Hall of Famer or even a typical first-ballot selection, but he also didn’t debut in the majors until his age-27 season — and still registered over 3,000 career hits. He averaged 5.6 WAR his first three seasons with the Seattle Mariners, which doesn’t even include his best season in 2004, when he set the record for hits in a season. He won 10 Gold Gloves, was the American League MVP winner as a rookie and was one of the most iconic players of all time.

    Seven of Ichiro’s peak seasons actually came in Japan. If you also add in those seven seasons, he’s at 100 career WAR — a figure only five position players who started their careers after 1969 have ever reached.

    Does CC Sabathia make it on his first ballot?

    It looks like it. Sabathia is polling at 93.3%, and while vote percentages revealed after the announcement almost always go down, Sabathia appears to have the cushion needed to get elected. Sabathia finished 251-161 with a 3.74 ERA, 62.3 career WAR, a Cy Young Award and a World Series title with the New York Yankees in 2009. During his five-year peak from 2007 to 2011, he ranked second to Roy Halladay in pitching WAR.

    Many voters used to have a first-ballot rule, where they would only vote for a player the first time they appeared on the ballot if they were an inner-circle Hall of Famer, but that has mostly gone away. In recent years, we had Mauer in 2024 (55.2 WAR) and David Ortiz in 2022 (55.3 WAR) make it on the first ballot with less career WAR than Sabathia or Ichiro. It’s also true that Sandy Koufax would be the only starting pitcher with less WAR than Sabathia to make it on his first try — and Koufax, with his early retirement, was a special case. Sabathia is hardly an automatic selection, and while I voted for him, I’m a little surprised that it appears he’ll get in on his first try.

    Does Billy Wagner finally make it in?

    The reliever with a 2.31 career ERA is on his 10th and final BBWAA ballot. It’s been a slow climb. In his first two years in 2016 and 2017, back in those crowded ballot days, Wagner polled at just 10%. By last year, he was up to 73.8%, falling just five votes short. He’s polling at 84.8% on the public ballots, up from the 78% he was polling before the results a year ago, but that’s only a few extra votes, so it’s going to be close. (I voted for Wagner, so that will help him.)

    The non-Wagner supporters point to his 10.03 ERA in the postseason (in just 11 ⅔ innings, however). There is also the reasonable argument that no team would have traded, say, Bobby Abreu or Torii Hunter or Ian Kinsler, to name three players on this year’s ballot, for Wagner. So why should Wagner make the Hall of Fame and not players of that caliber? Again, fair argument, but voters have made the decision to compare Wagner to other relievers, not other players. While voters have been too lenient in selecting relievers, Wagner’s dominance can’t be ignored. He arguably ranks behind only Rivera among modern closers — and Wagner had a 1.43 ERA his final season, so he had plenty left in the tank when he retired.

    How close will Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltran get?

    The two center fielders continue to see their totals go up and have a chance to get elected this year. Jones, now on his eighth ballot, received 61.6% of the vote last year, and is currently polling at 73.3%. Beltran finished at 57.1% on his second ballot a year ago and is polling at 80.6% this time around. Beltran first appeared on the ballot in the wake of the Houston Astros‘ sign-stealing scandal, and his vote totals certainly suffered as a result of his involvement. With 70.1 career WAR, 435 home runs, 1,587 RBIs and great numbers in the postseason (.307/.412/.609), his case is otherwise strong. He received my vote.

    The case for Jones: He was one of the best defensive center fielders of all time (he won 10 Gold Gloves) and hit 434 home runs. That’s a nice combination to sell. He also played for those Atlanta Braves teams when they were winning the division title every season, and that helps as well. Baseball-Reference credits him with 62.7 WAR — just above that 60 career total that generally marks a strong candidate. Jones fizzled out early, however, with his last good season coming when he was 29. Additionally, in the context of his era, his offensive numbers, despite the power, aren’t all that impressive: .254/.337/.486 and a 111 OPS+. Only four Hall of Fame outfielders have a lower career OPS+: Tommy McCarthy (an obscure 19th century player), Lloyd Waner (one of the worst players in the Hall) and speedsters Max Carey and Lou Brock.

    I spent more time looking at Jones than any other player before deciding not to vote for him. In the end, I just don’t completely trust the defensive numbers that prop up his WAR. Baseball-Reference credits Jones with plus-235 runs saved on defense (a combination of two different metrics, Total Zone through 2002 and Defensive Runs Saved after that). That’s the most of any outfielder — and the second most of any player, behind only Brooks Robinson.

    Willie Mays, as a comparison, is credited with 185 fielding runs (second highest among center fielders) — but Mays also played many more innings. On a per-inning basis, Jones comes out almost twice as good as Mays. Twice as good as Willie Mays?! Sounds skeptical. When digging into the numbers, an interesting thing is that for most of Jones’ career as a center fielder, Braves’ left fielders — first Ryan Klesko and then Chipper Jones for a couple years — had unusually low range factors. It seems likely Jones was taking all the either/or plays away from the left fielders, pushing up his putout totals. Since the Total Zone metric is an estimate, that gives him some eye-popping fielding numbers early in his career.

    Jones was a truly generational center fielder, no doubt. But take a few wins off his WAR total and that puts him into the mid-50s, enough to make him fall short of the Hall of Fame to me — not to mention that there are several more worthy center fielders deserving of Hall of Fame status in my book, such as Beltran, Kenny Lofton, Jim Edmonds and perhaps Bernie Williams (the latter three long gone off the ballot).

    How will Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins fare?

    The two longtime Philadelphia Phillies teammates have very different cases. Utley had an outstanding peak from 2005 to 2010 when he was one of the best players in the game, second only to Albert Pujols in WAR. Rollins won an MVP Award, was more durable and played longer — but he finished with a career OPS+ of just 95, meaning he was a below-average hitter overall. Utley easily trumps Rollins in WAR, 64.5 to 47.6, and that helps explains why he’s polling much better so far, 53.9% to 18.8%. I voted for Utley, with his peak level of performance carrying the day despite a relatively short career and fewer than 2,000 hits.

    Will Andy Pettitte start getting some support? How about Mark Buehrle?

    With Sabathia on the ballot and likely getting in, it’s hard to ignore this comparison:

    Sabathia: 251-161, 61.8 pitching WAR, 3577 IP, 3.74 ERA, 116 ERA+
    Pettitte: 256-153, 60.7 WAR, 3316 IP, 3.85 ERA, 117 ERA+
    Buehrle: 214-160, 60.0 WAR, 3283 IP, 3.81 ERA, 117 ERA+

    I don’t see much difference here between the three. Yes, Sabathia had that five-year stretch where he was one of the top starters in baseball, but his five-year peak (30.4 WAR) isn’t all that higher than Pettitte’s (28.2) or Buehrle’s (27.2). That certainly helps Sabathia’s case and is part of why he’ll get in, but I voted for both Pettitte and Buehrle as well. I just didn’t see how I could vote for Sabathia and not the other two.

    Pettitte was on my TV screen every October for almost two decades, a key member of five World Series championship teams; that put him over the top for me, even if he was more of a “compiler” in the Don Sutton/Jim Kaat mode of starting pitcher. In Buehrle’s case, I’m of the belief that each generation needs equal representation, and he was one of the best starting pitchers of his generation. He won fewer games than Sabathia, but that was mostly because he didn’t hang around and extend his career — he won 15 games his final season while Sabathia was 60-59 with a 4.33 ERA over his final seven seasons.

    Who stays on the ballot?

    Felix Hernandez was a “no” for me, but I’m glad he has already received enough votes to stay on. He won 169 games on terrible Mariners teams that never scored any runs, but while he had an outstanding peak, he was done at 30:

    Hernandez through age 30: 154-109, 3.16 ERA, 126 ERA+, 51.2 WAR
    Sabathia through age 30: 176-96, 3.51 ERA, 125 ERA+, 49.8 WAR

    Sabathia wasn’t hugely valuable after that, but he managed to hang around and win another 75 games. King Felix won just 15 more games. He’ll at least get the chance to have his Hall of Fame case discussed — unlike Johan Santana, who got bumped off the ballot. As pitchers continue to win fewer and fewer games, maybe the standards will change to focus more on peak and less on longevity (which would certainly help Hernandez’s case).

    Dustin Pedroia (on his first ballot) and David Wright (on his second) should also get enough votes to remain on, which will keep their careers in the public eye. Pedroia finished with 51.9 WAR and Wright with 49.2. Both likely had Hall of Fame careers shortened by injuries: Pedroia with the knee injury suffered on a Manny Machado hard slide; Wright with a back injury. Pedroia played just nine games after 2017; Wright just 77 after 2014.

    Those are the two highest WAR totals among position players who suffered a career-ending injury (as opposed to a debilitating injury or series of injuries) and aren’t in the Hall of Fame. The best comparison might be Kirby Puckett, who suddenly lost his vision due to glaucoma and never played again. He finished with 51.1 WAR and made the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. Pedroia and Wright are in a unique class of almost.

    Wondering about Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez? Yes, they’re still on the ballot.

    A-Rod is polling around 40% on his fourth ballot and Ramirez at 36% on his ninth. It appears they’re destined to be in the same club as Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Mark McGwire.



    The 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot has been revealed, and it features some of the biggest names in the history of the sport. From perennial All-Stars to World Series champions, this year’s ballot is stacked with talent.

    Some of the notable players on the ballot include Derek Jeter, David Ortiz, and Alex Rodriguez. Jeter, a former New York Yankees shortstop, is a five-time World Series champion and one of the most beloved players in recent memory. Ortiz, a designated hitter for the Boston Red Sox, is a three-time World Series champion and one of the most clutch hitters in postseason history. Rodriguez, a former third baseman for the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers, is a three-time American League MVP and one of the most prolific hitters of his era.

    In addition to these star players, the 2025 Hall of Fame ballot also includes several other deserving candidates, such as Curt Schilling, Barry Bonds, and Roger Clemens. Schilling, a former pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Boston Red Sox, is a three-time World Series champion and one of the most dominant postseason pitchers of all time. Bonds and Clemens, both former MVP winners, are two of the most controversial figures in baseball history due to their alleged steroid use.

    Voting for the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame class will take place over the next several weeks, with the results set to be announced in January. Fans and analysts alike will eagerly await the announcement to see which players will join the ranks of baseball’s immortals in Cooperstown.

    Stay tuned for more updates on the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot and the latest news surrounding the world of baseball.

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  • Mariners fans rally around Felix Hernandez’s case for the Hall of Fame


    A little over five years ago, Félix Hernández departed the mound for the final time. The 2019 season had been a rough one for him, marred by a shoulder injury and the end of a decline that had started all the way back in 2017.

    Despite only pitching 71 2/3 innings for the Mariners that year and posting a 6.40 ERA, he was sent off to raucous applause and cheering, an emotional conclusion to a stellar career in Seattle.

    With six All-Star selections, two ERA titles, and a Cy Young award under his belt, King Félix will now seek to join baseball’s elite in achieving the most-prized accolade in the sport: earning a plaque in the Hall of Fame. His case isn’t as clear-cut as former teammate Ichiro Suzuki’s, but his candidacy has strong statistical backing in addition to an outpouring of qualitatative support from his fans.

    Let’s start with the numbers. Over the 2,729 2/3 career innings he pitched, all with the Mariners, he posted a 3.42 ERA and a 117 ERA+. He has 169 wins (an even more incredible accomplishment given the quality of his offense during his prime) and 2,524 strikeouts. He leads the franchise in innings pitched, strikeouts, starts (418), and pitching rWAR (49.9).

    To non-Mariners fans, he’s most well-known for throwing a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 15, 2012, narrowly securing a 1-0 victory. In fact, he is the only pitcher in baseball history to throw a perfect game, immaculate inning, and a four-strikeout inning.

    So what’s holding him back? The biggest obstacle is his lack of longevity. He retired very young at just 33 years old, just a year older than Luis Castilllo is now. He debuted at 19 which still gave him a solid 15 years of big league work but if he had managed to stick around for a few more years and had tenures similar in length to other names on the ballot like CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte, he would likely be a shoo-in.

    Furthermore, key counting stat milestones like reaching 3,000 strikeouts or 200 wins are held in very high regard among the voters. For example, Ichiro’s inclusion in the 3,000-hit club is likely a major driver behind his current Hall of Fame sentiment. Based on public ballot data, Felix will likely have the 5% vote required to stick around on the ballot, but he’s still a far cry from being inducted.

    In a best-case scenario, he’ll follow in the footsteps of fellow franchise legend Edgar Martínez and get in at the last second. Martinez, being a soft-spoken designated hitter who played in the smallest market on the West Coast for all of his career, struggled to win the support of writers until he received outspoken praise from the likes of Pedro Martínez, Randy Johnson, and Mariano Rivera. He was a unique case being one of the first pure DHs to be on the ballot, and once the writers knew how to properly compare him to his peers they finally came around.

    Unfortunately for Felix, writers are no strangers to analyzing starting pitchers. Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson were the first to be elected to the hall in 1936 and it has been a steady stream of generational talent since then. For pitchers who fail to accumulate the incredible counting stats of Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, and Steve Carlton, the other option is to have a dominant peak akin to Sandy Koufax or Catfish Hunter.

    How the writers perceive his candidacy remains to be seen since this will be the first time this discussion is seriously had. For now, he’ll have to continue relying on what his fans have always done best, support him through to the very end. His results could also sway the future hopes of another franchise great who will soon be eligible himself.





    As Seattle Mariners fans, we have been privileged to witness the greatness of Felix Hernandez on the mound for over a decade. From his dazzling pitching performances to his unwavering loyalty to the team, King Felix has solidified his place in Mariners history.

    Now, as his career winds down and retirement looms on the horizon, Mariners fans are rallying around his case for the Hall of Fame. Despite never winning a World Series or a Cy Young award, Hernandez’s career accomplishments speak for themselves. With over 2,500 strikeouts, a perfect game, six All-Star appearances, and an AL ERA title, Felix has cemented himself as one of the best pitchers of his generation.

    But beyond the numbers, it’s Hernandez’s impact on the Mariners organization and the city of Seattle that truly sets him apart. He has been a mentor to younger players, a leader in the clubhouse, and a beloved figure in the community. His dedication to the team and the city has endeared him to fans in a way that transcends statistics.

    As Mariners fans, we believe that Felix Hernandez deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame. His legacy as a player and as a person is one that should be celebrated and remembered for years to come. Let’s rally together to support King Felix and make sure his greatness is recognized in Cooperstown. #FelixHOF2023 #GoMariners

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  • Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner elected to Hall of Fame


    Ichiro Suzuki, a veritable hits machine on both sides of the Pacific Ocean, became the first Japanese player to gain entry into the National Baseball Hall of Fame when he was elected Tuesday to the Class of 2025 alongside pitchers CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and tabulated by Ernst & Young.

    Players are elected to the Hall provided they are named on at least 75 percent of ballots cast by eligible voting members of the BBWAA. With 394 ballots submitted in the 2025 election, candidates needed to receive 296 votes to be elected.

    Results | Public ballots (Feb. 4) | Voters | BBWAA inductees

    Suzuki, who was on the ballot for the first time, came within one vote of being a unanimous selection, a feat achieved by only one player, relief pitcher Mariano Rivera in 2019, in 81 years of voting by the BBWAA. Ichiro, a multiple Gold Glove Award-winning outfielder, received 393 votes, which accounted for 99.746 percent of the electorate, second only to shortstop Derek Jeter’s 99.748-percent showing (396 of 397 ballots cast) in 2020 as the highest plurality for a position player in Hall of Fame voting.

    Sabathia, another first-time honoree, received 342 votes (86.8 percent), and Wagner, who was on the BBWAA ballot for the 10th-and-final time, got 325 (82.5).

    They will be honored during Induction Weekend 2025 July 25-28 in Cooperstown, N.Y., at the July 27 Induction Ceremony on the grounds of the Clark Sports Center along with Dave Parker and the late Dick Allen, who were elected by the Classic Baseball Era Committee last month in Dallas.

    Also honored that weekend will be the Ford C. Frick Award winner for baseball broadcasting, Tom Hamilton, and the BBWAA Career Excellence Award winner for baseball writing, Thomas Boswell, July 26 at the Awards Presentation. 

    Suzuki, 51, burst onto the major league scene in 2001 with the Seattle Mariners as the first position player from Japan and went on to win both the American League MVP and Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Awards in the same season, a feat accomplished by only one other player, Fred Lynn of the Boston Red Sox in 1975. Over a 19-season career that included time with the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins, Suzuki knocked out 3,089 hits in becoming the first player with 10 consecutive seasons of 200-plus hits, including a record 262 in 2004, a year in which he won his second batting title at .372. His first came in his rookie year when he hit .350 with 242 hits and 56 of his career 509 stolen bases.

    Among other hardware Suzuki collected were 10 straight Gold Glove Awards for fielding, three Silver Slugger Awards for batting and 10 All-Star Game selections, including nine starts. He was the All-Star Game MVP in 2007 at San Francisco. Ichiro led the AL in games played four times, at-bats eight times, hits seven times, singles 10 times and intentional walks three times. Defensively, he led AL right fielders in putouts seven times, fielding percentage four times and once as a center fielder and assists twice as a right fielder. Including his totals with the Orix Blue Wave in Japan’s Pacific League, Ichiro amassed 4,367 career hits over 28 seasons.

    Sabathia, 44, began his 19-season career in Cleveland as the runner-up to Suzuki for the AL Rookie of the Year Award in 2001 and went on to post a 251-161 record with a 3.74 earned run average and 3,093 strikeouts – 18th all-time and third among left-handers behind Randy Johnson and Steve Carlton. Sabathia won the AL Cy Young Award in 2007. A year later, a mid-season trade to Milwaukee resulted in his finishing sixth in National League MVP voting after going 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA and seven complete games, including three shutouts, in 17 starts for the Brewers. The next year, he anchored the Yankees’ staff enroute to a World Series title and was the 2009 AL Championship Series MVP (2-0, 1.13 ERA). Sabathia is one of only six pitchers in history with at least 250 victories, a .600 winning percentage and 3,000 strikeouts.

    Over 16 seasons with the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves, Wagner, 53, had a 47-40 record with 422 saves, the eighth-highest career total in history and the second highest among left-handers, just two saves behind John Franco. Wagner’s 2.31 career ERA is the lowest among retired left-handed pitchers with at least 500 innings pitched in the live-ball era (post 1920). His career walks-plus-hits-per-innings-pitched ratio (WHIP) of 0.998 is lowest among all retired relievers with at least 700 innings pitched.

    The only other players to gain mention on more than half the ballots were outfielders Carlos Beltrán with 277 votes (70.3) and Andruw Jones with 261 (66.2). 

    Candidates may remain on the BBWAA ballot for up to 10 years provided they are listed on at least five percent of ballots cast. There are 15 players from this year’s ballot who will be eligible again for 2025, including two of the 14 first-year candidates: pitcher Félix Hernández with 81 votes (20.6) and second baseman Dustin Pedroia with 47 (11.9).

    The Hall of Fame has 351 elected members, including 278 players, of whom 142 have come through the BBWAA ballot. The elections of Suzuki and Sabathia bring to 62 the total of players elected in their first year of eligibility by the BBWAA. This year marked the 11th time the BBWAA honored three players in an election and the second year in a row.

    The average ballot in the 2025 election contained 6.77 names, down from 7.00 last year, with 24.9 percent of the voters using all 10 slots, up from 24.4 a year ago. The total of ballots cast marked a 98.5-percent return rate of the 400 ballots mailed to voters. There were no blank ballots submitted.

    2025 Hall of Fame

    Votes Percent Year on ballot
    Ichiro Suzuki 393 99.7 1st
    CC Sabathia 342 86.8 1st
    Billy Wagner 325 82.5 10th
    Carlos Beltrán 277 70.3 3rd
    Andruw Jones 261 66.2 8th
    Chase Utley 157 39.8 2nd
    Álex Rodríguez 146 37.1 4th
    Manny Ramírez 135 34.3 9th
    Andy Pettitte 110 27.9 7th
    Félix Hernández 81 20.6 1st
    Bobby Abreu 77 19.5 6th
    Jimmy Rollins 71 18 4th
    Omar Vizquel 70 17.8 8th
    Dustin Pedroia 47 11.9 1st
    Mark Buehrle 45 11.4 5th
    Francisco Rodríguez 40 10.2 3rd
    David Wright 32 8.1 2nd
    Torii Hunter 20 5.1 5th
    Ian Kinsler 10 2.5 1st
    Russell Martin 9 2.3 1st
    Brian McCann 7 1.8 1st
    Troy Tulowitzki 4 1 1st
    Curtis Granderson 3 0.8 1st
    Adam Jones 3 0.8 1st
    Carlos González 2 0.5 1st
    Hanley Ramírez 0 0 1st
    Fernando Rodney 0 0 1st
    Ben Zobrist 0 0 1st



    Today, baseball legends Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner have been elected to the prestigious Hall of Fame. These three players have left an indelible mark on the game and have rightfully earned their place among the greats of the sport.

    Ichiro Suzuki, known for his incredible speed, impeccable hitting ability, and unmatched defensive skills, was a true pioneer in the game. The Japanese outfielder made a seamless transition to MLB and became a beloved figure in the baseball world.

    CC Sabathia, a dominant left-handed pitcher, was a force on the mound throughout his career. With his powerful arm and fierce competitiveness, Sabathia was a perennial All-Star and a key player for multiple teams.

    Billy Wagner, a flame-throwing closer, was one of the most feared pitchers of his era. With his electric fastball and devastating slider, Wagner racked up strikeouts and saved countless games for his teams.

    These three players have left a lasting legacy in the world of baseball and their induction into the Hall of Fame is a well-deserved honor. Congratulations to Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner on this incredible achievement.

    Tags:

    Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, Hall of Fame, baseball legends, MLB, Hall of Fame induction, Ichiro Suzuki career, CC Sabathia achievements, Billy Wagner stats, baseball Hall of Fame, sports news

    #Ichiro #Suzuki #Sabathia #Billy #Wagner #elected #Hall #Fame

    January 21, 2025

  • Ichiro Suzuki becomes first Asian player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame


    Ichiro Suzuki, the dominant contact hitter whose 19 years in the major leagues, mostly with the Seattle Mariners, was lined with records and accolades, on Tuesday became the first Asian player elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame.

    He received 99.7 percent of the vote, missing a unanimous selection by one total vote. New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, inducted in 2019, remains the only member of the Baseball Hall of Fame to receive 100%.

    Ichiro joins starting pitcher CC Sabathia and relief pitcher Billy Wagner as part of the class of 2025 headed to Cooperstown, New York.

    Ichiro made his debut with the Mariners in 2001, becoming the first Japanese position player to join Major League Baseball. That season he won both the American League MVP and Rookie of the Year awards. 

    He went on to be a 10-time All Star and earned 10 Gold Glove awards for exceptional defense  and three Silver Slugger awards for his elite offensive ability. Ichiro earned a reputation as an exceptional leadoff hitter (with a .311 career batting average) as well as a formidable right fielder who, even at 5-foot-9, was known to scale the outfield wall to rob a home run. 

    Ichiro racked up 3,089 hits in MLB after already having played nine years in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league. Combining his hits from both leagues, he had 4,367 hits across his professional career, the most of any player in baseball history. 

    Ichiro told NBC News in a 2022 interview that he endured his share of challenges after arriving in Seattle and was intensely aware of how American fans would perceive him. While he said he didn’t set out to “perform for Asians,” he knew his performance would be scrutinized if he didn’t deliver. 

    “As a player from Japan, as a guy that had led the league in hitting all seven years, and then coming over being a first position player, I knew that I would be judged. And Japan baseball will be judged on how I did,” Ichiro said through a translator. “If I wasn’t able to produce, then they would judge Japan baseball as being at a lower level. And so that pressure was there and that’s what I had to carry.” 

    Early on, fans would heckle him with jeers like, “Go back to Japan,” Ichiro recalled, describing those interactions as “the norm” for him at the time. But he quickly chipped away at those who sought to doubt or dismiss him, hitting a home run in his first road game. In 2019,he retired with the Mariners, playing his final game at the Tokyo Dome against the Oakland Athletics. 

    Ichiro was also voted this month into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving 323 out of 349 votes in his first year of eligibility. In 2022, he was the first Asian player to be inducted into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame.



    Ichiro Suzuki Makes History as First Asian Player Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

    In a groundbreaking moment for Asian representation in the world of baseball, Ichiro Suzuki has been elected to the prestigious Baseball Hall of Fame. The Japanese outfielder, known for his incredible speed, precision hitting, and strong arm, has solidified his place among the game’s greatest players.

    Ichiro’s career spanned over two decades, during which he played for both the Seattle Mariners and the New York Yankees. He amassed an impressive 3,089 hits in Major League Baseball, becoming one of the most prolific hitters of his era. In addition to his impressive offensive stats, Ichiro also won 10 Gold Glove Awards for his outstanding defense in the outfield.

    Throughout his career, Ichiro broke numerous records and paved the way for future generations of Asian players in the sport. His induction into the Hall of Fame is not only a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication but also a significant milestone in the history of baseball.

    As the first Asian player to be honored with this prestigious accolade, Ichiro’s legacy will continue to inspire and influence players from all backgrounds. His impact on the game transcends borders and serves as a reminder of the power of diversity and inclusion in sports.

    Congratulations to Ichiro Suzuki on this well-deserved honor, and may his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring players around the world.

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    #Ichiro #Suzuki #Asian #player #elected #Baseball #Hall #Fame

  • Ichiro, Sabathia, Wagner Elected To Hall Of Fame


    The Hall of Fame announced the results of this year’s Baseball Writers Association of America voting. Ichiro, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner topped the 75% threshold for induction. They’ll join Dick Allen and Dave Parker in the 2025 class. Allen and Parker were elected by the Classic Baseball Era committee at the Winter Meetings. Ichiro appeared on 99.7% of the ballots, falling one vote shy of unanimity.

    Two of the three inductees, Ichiro and Sabathia, get into Cooperstown on their first year on the ballot. Wagner gets in on his 10th and final opportunity. He’d fallen just a percentage point shy last winter and jumped beyond an 82% vote share with the writers having their last chance to elect him.

    Ichiro starred in his home country before making the move to the big leagues during the 2000-01 offseason. He signed a three-year deal with the Mariners and immediately became one of the best players in franchise history. Ichiro led the majors with 242 hits and 56 stolen bases. He hit .350 to win the AL batting title at the top of a loaded Seattle lineup. The ’01 Mariners won 116 games and remain the greatest regular season team in MLB history. They lost a five-game Championship Series to the Yankees.

    That was one of the best debut seasons ever. Ichiro was an All-Star and won a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove award in right field. He not only coasted to the Rookie of the Year award but narrowly surpassed Jason Giambi to win the MVP. He joined Fred Lynn as the only rookies to be named the Most Valuable Player.

    While that’d be the only time that Ichiro finished top five in MVP balloting, he was the game’s best pure hitter for a decade. He topped 200 hits with an average north of .300 in each of his first 10 seasons. He had arguably his best season in 2004, when he led the majors with a .372 average and tallied a career-best 262 hits. Ichiro was a menace on the bases throughout his prime, topping 30 stolen bases on 10 occasions. He was also the sport’s best defensive right fielder, pairing plus range with an elite arm and twice leading the AL in outfield assists.

    An incredibly durable player, Ichiro topped 150 games played in 13 seasons. He led the majors in hits seven times and was selected to the All-Star Game in each of his first 10 years in the big leagues. Ichiro remained an excellent player through his age-36 season. He played all the way until age 45, seeing action with the Yankees and Marlins. Ichiro collected his 3000th career hit while he was playing for Miami, doing it in style with a triple against Colorado’s Chris Rusin at Coors Field. Ichiro returned to Seattle for the end of his career, capping it off in a two-game series between the Mariners and A’s in front of Japanese fans at the Tokyo Dome to kick off the 2019 season.

    Ichiro finished his major league career as a .311 hitter who tallied 3089 hits. That’d be a remarkable achievement for any player but is especially impressive for one who spent a few of his prime-aged seasons in NPB and didn’t make his major league debut until he was 27. Ichiro was never a huge power threat in games, though many believe that he could’ve been an impact power bat had he prioritized that over elite pure hitting ability. In any case, he concluded with 117 career homers and stole more than 500 bases. He won 10 Gold Gloves and three Silver Slugger awards.

    More to come.



    Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner have been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in the Class of 2025.

    Ichiro Suzuki, the legendary outfielder, was known for his incredible hitting ability and speed on the basepaths. He was a 10-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, and won the American League MVP in 2001. Ichiro finished his career with 3,089 hits, a .311 batting average, and 509 stolen bases.

    CC Sabathia, the dominant left-handed pitcher, was a six-time All-Star and won the AL Cy Young Award in 2007. Sabathia finished his career with 251 wins, 3,093 strikeouts, and a 3.74 ERA. He was known for his durability and competitiveness on the mound.

    Billy Wagner, the flame-throwing closer, was a seven-time All-Star and recorded 422 saves in his career. Wagner had a career ERA of 2.31 and struck out 1,196 batters in 903 innings pitched. He was known for his electric fastball and devastating slider.

    These three players will be forever enshrined in Cooperstown for their remarkable careers and contributions to the game of baseball. Congratulations to Ichiro, Sabathia, and Wagner on their well-deserved induction into the Hall of Fame.

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    • CC Sabathia Hall of Fame
    • Billy Wagner Hall of Fame
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    • CC Sabathia pitching records
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  • 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame announcement: Ichiro, Sabathia, Wagner


    The Hall call came for Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner.

    Ichiro, the Mariners legend who becomes the first Japanese-born player voted into the Hall, was seen as an obvious entrant in his first year on the ballot, with only unanimity in question for the man who had 3,089 hits in MLB and another 1,278 in Nippon Professional Baseball. He ultimately did not achieve unanimous support, falling just one ballot shy with 99.7% of the vote. He would have become just the second player in history after Mariano Rivera and first position player to receive 100% of the votes.

    The greatest intrigue rested in the case of Wagner, who was on the BBWAA ballot for the final time after falling a mere five votes shy of election last winter. Sabathia was another first-time eligible who had fared well in public ballot tracking. The same was true of outfielder Carlos Beltrán, who was on the ballot for the third of 10 possible times and ultimately fell short with 70.3% of the vote.

    To achieve election, a player had to have his name selected on at least 75% of submitted ballots.

    Here’s a look at the players chosen by the BBWAA voters to enter the hallowed Hall.

    ICHIRO SUZUKI (99.7% of ballots)

    Put the 51-year-old Ichiro down, appropriately, as 2-for-2. Last week, he was elected in his first year of eligibility for the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame, in recognition of nine seasons with the Orix Blue Wave during which he was a three-time Pacific League MVP and seven-time batting champ. But Ichiro’s monumental arrival to MLB with the Seattle Mariners in 2001 marked the beginning of him cementing himself as a baseball legend who, in his own unique style, proved a position player could cross the Pacific and not only succeed but excel against the sport’s highest level of competition.

    Ichiro was a speedy, slashing hit machine with a career .311 average and 509 steals in 2,653 MLB games, including all or part of 14 seasons with the Mariners, three with the Yankees and three with the Marlins. He was a 10-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner and a three-time Silver Slugger winner in right field.

    His career broke the mold. Ichiro didn’t debut with the Mariners until he was 27 years, 162 days old. He was the first Japanese-born position player in MLB, and he faced his share of doubters about how his skills would translate. But he burst onto the big league scene by becoming just the second player ever – joining Fred Lynn (1975 Red Sox) – to win both Rookie of the Year and MVP in his league. His AL-best .350 average propelled the top of the order for a Mariners team that tied an MLB record with 116 wins.

    Then, in 2004, Ichiro not only won another batting title (.372) but broke George Sisler’s 84-year-old record by banging out 262 hits. That was all part of a stretch of 10 straight seasons with 200-plus hits. In seven of those seasons, Ichiro’s hit total was tops in MLB.

    Despite the late start to his MLB tenure, Ichiro’s Cooperstown case was ironclad. His career, however, is best appreciated in its totality, especially as NPB has become a steadier supplier of eventual MLB stars. Ichiro’s combined 4,367 hits make him the international Hit King and, now, a worthy member of two hallowed Halls of Fame.

    As the role of the starting pitcher has been diminished in the modern game, the career of a big, durable ace like Sabathia becomes all the more appreciated, as evidenced by him becoming the first pitcher to be named a first-ballot Hall of Famer since Mariano Rivera and Roy Halladay in 2019.

    Though Sabathia’s wins (251) and innings (3,577 1/3) totals don’t match up to those of many Hall of Fame starters, the 6-foot-6, left-handed Sabathia was a true workhorse of his time. From his 2001 debut with Cleveland to his final outing for the Yankees in 2019, he compiled the most innings of any pitcher who has debuted since 1989. Along the way, he put up a 116 ERA+ (or 16% better than league average) and a 61.8 bWAR that ranks 10th in MLB history among left-handed starters. With 3,093 strikeouts, Sabathia is one of only 15 pitchers – and one of only three southpaws – with at least 3,000 K’s and 250 wins.

    In his peak years from 2006-12, Sabathia won an AL Cy Young (with Cleveland in 2007) and finished in the top five of the voting five times. He even finished fifth in the NL voting in 2008 despite not joining the Brewers until a July trade. Sabathia taking the ball 17 times for the Brewers, often on short rest, and pointing them toward their first playoff appearance since 1982 by posting a 1.65 ERA in 130 2/3 innings (all with a lucrative free agency on the horizon) is the stuff of recent big league legend. From there, he signed a massive contract with the Yankees, with whom he won the World Series in his first of 11 seasons in the Bronx.

    A native of Vallejo, Calif., and a first-round pick by Cleveland in 1998, Sabathia reached the Majors at the age of 20 and came to be known as one of the game’s most respected figures. His win total is tied with that of Bob Gibson for second-most among Black pitchers (behind Ferguson Jenkins’ 284). And in his retirement years, the now-44-year-old Sabathia has continued to serve as one of the sport’s most important ambassadors.

    Overshadowed on recent ballots by the only closers with 600-plus saves — Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman — the 53-year-old Wagner finally found relief on his final try in the BBWAA process. He becomes the ninth closer elected to the Hall.

    Though undersized at 5-foot-10, Wagner made batters – and the many scouts who overlooked him — look foolish with a 100-mph heater and a hard slider. He used that combo to record the highest strikeout rate (33.2%) of any pitcher in history with at least 900 innings. Using that same minimum, Wagner’s .186 opponent average ranks as the lowest in the Modern Era, and his 2.31 ERA and 0.998 WHIP are both the best for a southpaw in the Live Ball Era.

    In 16 seasons with the Astros, Phillies, Mets, Red Sox and Braves, Wagner compiled 422 saves and 1,196 strikeouts in 903 innings. His 225 saves with Houston are a franchise record. He was a seven-time All-Star.

    Because Wagner, who retired after a 2010 season in which he put up a career-best 1.43 ERA with the Braves, lacked the longevity of Rivera and Hoffman, he faced a more arduous road to Cooperstown. His career innings total is the lowest among the Hall of Fame relievers, and it took a long while for his case to gain traction among the voters. Ultimately, though, Wagner’s status as the most purely dominant left-handed reliever of all time earned him enshrinement.



    The 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame announcement has been made, and three legendary players have been elected to the hallowed halls of Cooperstown: Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner.

    Ichiro Suzuki, one of the most iconic and accomplished players in baseball history, has been elected in his first year of eligibility. The former Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees outfielder played 19 seasons in the Major Leagues, amassing 3,089 hits, 509 stolen bases, and a career batting average of .311. Ichiro was a 10-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, and won the American League MVP award in 2001. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest hitters and defensive players of his generation.

    CC Sabathia, a dominant left-handed pitcher who played for the Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, and San Francisco Giants, has also been elected to the Hall of Fame. Sabathia won 251 games in his career, struck out over 3,000 batters, and won the American League Cy Young award in 2007. Known for his fierce competitiveness and durability, Sabathia was a six-time All-Star and played a key role in the Yankees’ 2009 World Series championship.

    Billy Wagner, one of the most dominant closers of his era, has earned his place in Cooperstown as well. The hard-throwing left-hander pitched for the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Atlanta Braves over a 16-year career, recording 422 saves and striking out 1,196 batters in just 903 innings. Wagner was a seven-time All-Star and ranks sixth on the all-time saves list.

    These three players will be officially inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in July 2025, joining the ranks of the greatest players in the history of the game. Congratulations to Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner on this well-deserved honor.

    Tags:

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  • Why Andruw Jones, Billy Wagner belong in Hall of Fame


    This story was excerpted from Mark Bowman’s Braves Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

    ATLANTA — This will be the last time I need to ask why has had to wait so much longer than to gain election to the Hall of Fame. But I’m guessing we’ll be touting ’ Cooperstown résumé again next year.

    The results of this year’s Hall of Fame balloting will be announced on Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET on MLB Network. Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Carlos Beltrán and Wagner should enter that day feeling good about election. Unfortunately for Jones, he might be this year’s player who falls just a handful of votes shy of the necessary 75 percent.

    Fortunately for Jones, this just positions him to be elected next year and possibly have the stage to himself during the 2026 induction ceremony.

    Jones, Suzuki and four current Hall of Famers — Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Al Kaline and Ken Griffey Jr. — are the only outfielders to ever win 10 Gold Glove Awards.

    While winning those 10 consecutive Gold Gloves from 1998-2007, Jones ranked third among all MLB players with a 57.6 bWAR, behind only Alex Rodriguez (80) and Barry Bonds (71). Chipper Jones, Todd Helton and Albert Pujols each produced a 54.9 mark during this decade-long stretch.

    Andruw Jones had seven 30-homer seasons, including an MLB-best 51-homer campaign in 2005. But what truly set him apart was the defensive excellence that has led many to continue to consider him to be the best center fielder the game has ever seen.

    Jones had a 24.2 defensive WAR from 1998-2007. The next closest players were Hall of Famers Scott Rolen (15.1) and Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez (13.5).

    Yeah, there was a steep decline late in Jones’ career. But he captured the baseball world’s attention at age 19 and spent the next decade proving to be elite. If you give leeway to a player who debuts at 23 and then starts to decline in their mid-30s, then the same grace should be given to Jones, who was as good as it gets for an entire decade.

    My case for Wagner
    From 1995 (the debut season for Wagner and Mariano Rivera) through 2010 (Wagner’s final season), Rivera led all relievers in fWAR with 34.9. Wagner ranked second with 24.1, and Hoffman ranked third with 24.0.

    The baseball world has wisely minimized the significance of pitching wins. Maintaining this same line of reasoning in relation to Wagner — who had 422 career saves, as opposed to 652 for Rivera and 601 for Hoffman — there’s reason to argue voters have placed too much emphasis on save totals when evaluating a reliever’s qualifications.

    Hoffman was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2018, and Rivera was elected unanimously in ’19. While Hoffman totaled 179 more saves, Wagner had a better ERA (2.31 vs. 2.87), a higher strikeout rate (33.2% vs. 25.8%) and a lower OPS surrendered (.558 vs. .609).

    So why was Hoffman elected in his third year on the ballot while Wagner has had to wait until his 10th year to potentially get elected?

    Hopefully, we get a chance to ask similar questions about ’s candidacy over the next few years. Here’s a tidbit I included in last week’s newsletter:

    McCann ranked second among all MLB catchers with 40.2 bWAR from 2005-13. The only catcher to produce a higher WAR during that nine-season span was Joe Mauer (45). Mauer, who handled the Twins’ catching duties just once after the 2013 season, finished his career with a 53.5 WAR. McCann remained behind the plate throughout his career and retired with a 52.1 WAR.

    Mauer became a first-ballot Hall of Famer last year and early projections indicate McCann might not get the 5 percent of the vote needed to stay on the ballot for a second year. Gaps like these just highlight the inconsistencies we often see during the Hall of Fame balloting process.

    It’s worth noting that Jones received less than 8 percent of the votes during his first two years on the ballot and Wagner received less than 11 percent during his first two years of eligibility.



    Andruw Jones and Billy Wagner are two former MLB players who are often overlooked when it comes to Hall of Fame discussions. However, their statistics and contributions to the game make a strong case for their induction into Cooperstown.

    Andruw Jones was a defensive wizard in center field, winning 10 Gold Glove awards over his career. He also had a powerful bat, hitting 434 home runs and driving in 1,289 runs. Jones was a five-time All-Star and played a key role in the Atlanta Braves’ success during the late 1990s and early 2000s. His combination of elite defense and power at the plate make him a deserving candidate for the Hall of Fame.

    Billy Wagner was one of the most dominant closers of his era, recording 422 saves and striking out 1,196 batters in his career. Wagner was a seven-time All-Star and finished in the top 10 in Cy Young voting four times. His 2.31 career ERA and 0.998 WHIP are among the best in history for relievers. Wagner’s consistency and dominance out of the bullpen make him a strong candidate for the Hall of Fame.

    Both Jones and Wagner may not have the traditional Hall of Fame numbers like 3,000 hits or 300 wins, but their impact on the game cannot be understated. Their defensive prowess, offensive production, and dominance on the mound make them two of the most deserving candidates for induction into Cooperstown. It’s time for the Hall of Fame voters to recognize their contributions to the game and enshrine them among the all-time greats.

    Tags:

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    2. Billy Wagner Hall of Fame
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    7. Billy Wagner stats
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    #Andruw #Jones #Billy #Wagner #belong #Hall #Fame

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