On Tuesday night, Major League Baseball announced the results of the Baseball Hall of Fame voting and the Philadelphia Phillies/St. Louis Cardinals legend Scott Rolen was the only player to receive 76.3% of the vote.
A few former New York Yankees were not so lucky, such as Andrew Jones (58.1%), Gary Sheffield (55%), Carlos Beltran (46.5%), Alex Rodriguez (35.7%), Andy Pettitte (17%) ) and Bobby Abreu. (15.4%) was well below the 75% threshold. Fortunately, Bombers fans saw Derek Jeter locked up in 2021 (picked up in 2020), but it may be a few years before they see another former Yankee earn that honor.
At this rate, we can assume A-Rod will never get in. Not only was he associated with the steroid era, but he failed two performance-enhancing drug tests. And if Barry Bonds, the greatest offensive player we’ve ever seen, doesn’t get in, neither does Rodriguez.
And what about the other realistic possibilities on this ballot and those joining in 2024? Next year is Sheffield’s last year of eligibility, but he needs a big hit as he was 20% off this time.
As for Jones, he has four years left on the ballot and has seen his chances increase each year, from 7.3% in 2018 to 58.1% in 2023. Jones finished his career with the Yankees after spending 2011 and 2012 with the team. .
Then we have Beltran, who is probably the most likely option (he played for the Yankees from 2014-2016). 2023 was his first year on the ballot, and encouragingly, he came close to 50% of the vote. We can probably expect Beltran to be involved in 2025 or 2026, given that Todd Helton is likely next year and Adrian Beltre is likely in 2025 (unless he’s a first-ballot pick in 2024).
Several former Yankees (and unlikely options) will also appear on the ballot in 2024. Matt Holliday, Bartolo Colon, Chase Headley and Phil Hughes will take part in the action. If we were to rank the most likely options, it would be Beltran, Jones, Sheffield and Rodriguez, who could also join the 2024 rookie lineup.
1. Scott Rolen (76.3%)
2. Todd Helton (72.2%)
3. Billy Wagner (68.1%)
4. Andrew Jones (58.1%)
5. Gary Sheffield (55%)
6. Carlos Beltran (46.5%).
7. Jeff Kent (46.5%)
8. Alex Rodriguez (35.7%).
9. Manny Ramirez (33.2%)
10. Omar Vizkel (19.5%).
11. Andy Pettit (17%)
12. Bobby Abreu (15.4%)
13. Jimmy Rollins (12.9%)
14. Mark Buhrle (10.8%).
15. Francisco Rodriguez (10.8%).
16. Torii Hunter (6.9%)
Here’s a preview of the 2024 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot.
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