“The big trouble is not really who isn’t in the Hall of Fame, but who is. It was established for a select few.” ~ Rogers Hornsby, Hall of Fame Second Baseman (Elected in 1942 on his 5th Ballot)
Tomorrow, Saturday, December 31, 2022, is the last day of voting for the 2023 Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot. All eligible Members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America should have analyzed and voted on the listed 28 players by then. Their selections will be announced on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 6 p.m. E.T. The event will be covered live by the MLB Network. The induction will take place during the Hall of Fame Weekend on Sunday, the 23rd of July 2023.
As with all elections, there are rules:
An elector will vote for no more than ten (10) eligible candidates deemed worthy of election. Write-in votes are not permitted. Any candidate receiving votes of seventy-five percent (75%) of the ballots cast shall be elected to membership in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, located in Cooperstown, N.Y. There are other rules to be followed for both electors and for the candidates; the one that is the most controversial is Rule 5: Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which he played.
Candidates remain on the ballot for 10 years. If they receive less than 5% of the votes cast each year, they are dropped. Obviously if they receive the needed 75%, they are inducted and removed from the ballot.
It is only fair to tell you up front, I am NOT in the BBWAA and therefore I do not have a vote in this process, but as a blogger, I again felt compelled to write. Here is this year’s list and my humble comments on each:
Bobby Abreu - Received 8.7% in 2021, 8.6% last year, this is his 4th on the ballot. Solid career, but not HoF worthy.
Bronson Arroyo - His first year on the ballot. I don’t feel he had the numbers or career to be elected. Probably a “one and done” on the ballot. But I do give him props for hitting Alex Rodriguez on July 24, 2004, which resulted in a benching clearing brawl. Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek protected his pitcher, exchanges words with Rodriguez and the benches came out. CLICK HERE to see the video. Also, I give Arroyo a tip of the cap for admitting to using Androstenedione and Amphetamines the day after the Mitchell Report came out which claimed that David Ortiz, his teammate was among 104 players that had failed a drug test. Arroyo’s name was not included in the report.
Carlos Beltran – His first year on the ballot. Beltran put up some very good numbers in his 20-year career; 435 home runs, 312 stolen bases, .279 batting average, 2,725 total hits with 1,587 RBIs. He will get a good number of votes. But I would not vote for him. He was identified as the alleged mastermind of the Houston Astro’s illegal sign stealing scheme of 2017. He had been named New York Mets manager but stepped down prior to managing a game. MLB handled the scandal poorly in my opinion. I hope the writers hold him more accountable.
Mark Buehrle – Received 11% his first year and 5.8% last year, this will be his 3rd year on the ballot. As I said last year, “He was one of the best left-handed pitchers of his era. Not over-powering, but he knew how to pitch. I’d like to see him get in at some point, he’s right there. He gets my vote. Can’t have too many stand up guys in the Hall.” I stick with that statement. Please CLICK HERE to read my son’s assessment in his guest blog. One perfect game, a no-hitter, 14 200-plus inning seasons (all consecutive 2001-14), 4-Gold Gloves, 5-All-Star Teams and 2-0 in the 2005 World Series Championship over 4 games. He gets my vote again this year.
Matt Cain - His first year on the ballot. Cain pitched his whole career for the San Francisco Giants. Pitched a perfect game, appeared in two World Series and was votes to three All-Star teams. I just don’t see his numbers being enough, I could be wrong.
R.A. Dickey - His first year on the ballot. I doubt if he’ll be on the ballot long. Until he had success with his knuckleball, he was an average pitcher. He had solid seasons, but I don’t see him as a HoFer. He is a good human being that has successfully dealt with many trials in his life, he was good for the game, but I couldn’t give him my vote.
Jacoby Ellsbury - His first year on the ballot. Ellsbury was a good player, .284 batting average, 343 stolen bases, very dependable outfielder, AL stolen base champs three times, one All-Star selection, two World Series and a Silver Slugger Award, but in my opinion not a Hall of Fame career.
Andre Ethier - His first year on the ballot. Ethier played for 12 seasons posting a career .285 batting average, 162 home runs, 687 RBIs and a .986 fielding percentage in the outfield. I believe injuries shortened his career. Playing with the Dodgers limited his playing time with some of the free agents they had as well. A very good player, but in my opinion not Hall of Fame caliber. He may stay on the ballot for a couple of years though.
J.J. Hardy - His first year on the ballot. Hardy had an injury plagued career. He was selected to two All-Star games, won three Gold Glove Awards, a Silver Slugger Award and played solid defense, but his numbers don’t add up to the Hall of Fame. I’d be surprised if he wasn’t a “one and done” on the ballot.
Todd Helton - Received 44.9% in 2021, 52% in 2022, this is his 5th year on the ballot. He was a great hitter but playing in Colorado probably hurts his chances. I still go back and forth with his worthiness, but probably wouldn’t vote for him.
Torii Hunter - Received 9.5% his first year and 5.3% last years. This is his 3rd year on the ballot. Solid career, but not HoF worthy. This may be his last ballot appearance.
Andruw Jones - Received 19.4% in 2020, went up to 33.9% in 2021, and 41.4 last year. This will be his 6th year on the ballot. He surprised me by getting his vote percentage up again, but I personally couldn’t vote for him.
Jeff Kent - Received 27.5% in 2020, went up to 32.4% in 2021 and had 32.7% last year. This is his 10th and final year on the ballot. I just don’t see him doubling his percentage to even get close to the votes needed, so he won’t make it. Another solid player, but not quite HoF.
John Lackey - His first year on the ballot. Lackey had a solid career. 2,294 career strike outs, one All-Star appearance, three World Series appearance with three different teams winning the title game in two of those, AL ERA leader in 2007. John was a fierce competitor and from all accounts a good teammate. In my mind though, he wouldn’t get my vote, but he’s right there. The BBWAA may choose otherwise.
Mike Napoli - His first year on the ballot. I feel he’s probably another “one and done” on the ballot. Mike played catcher and first base as well as a DH at times but was not known for a stellar glove. His offense numbers weren’t outstanding, either with a career .246 batting average, 267 home runs and 744 RBIs.
Jhonny Peralta - His first year on the ballot. Absolutely not, PEDs.
Andy Pettitte - Absolutely not, PEDs. Received 13.7% in 2021 and 10.7% last year. This will be his 5th year on the ballot.
Manny Ramírez - Absolutely not, PEDs. Received 28.2% two years in a row and 28.9% last year. This is his 7th year on the ballot.
Alex Rodriguez – Received 34.3% last year. This will be his second year on the ballot. Absolutely not, multiple PEDs.
Francisco Rodriguez - His first year on the ballot. While having 437 career saves should be enough to garner enough votes, his integrity and character traits come into play. Rodriguez had some minor disputes, one in a 2009 blow up on the field after a dropped pop-up cost him a save. The next day he had to be physically separated from an opposing relief pitcher Brian Bruney who made a statement that his antics were getting old. In 2010 he was in a heated argument with his own bullpen coach prior to entering a game. Then in August 2011, the issues became more serios, he was arrested for allegedly assaulting the father of his then girlfriend. He was suspended initially by the NY Mets for two games without pay and the courts told him to stay away from both the father and his girlfriend. He did end up on the disabled list due to a torn ligament in this right (pitching hand) thumb, which probably occurred during the altercation. He was suspended by the Mets indefinitely without pay until he was able to physically play again. He then violated the order of protection and faced seven counts of criminal contempt by texting his girlfriend and wound up back in court. In September of 2012 he was charged with domestic violence for allegedly hitting and kicking the mother of his child. Charges were dropped when the woman and a housekeeper, who was the only witness went back to Venezuela. Again, I don’t know how the writers will vote, but he wouldn’t get my vote.
Scott Rolen - Received 35.3% in 2020, gained more support as he posted 52.9% in 2021 and 63.2% last year. This is his 6th on the ballot. He may eventually make it if this trend continues, but again, not quite a HoF player in my book.
Jimmy Rollins – Received 9.4% last year. This is his second year on the ballot. Played 17 seasons with solid career numbers and a Roberto Clemente Award winner. A shortstop with a solid glove, is the only player that played over half their career at SS with at least 500 doubles, 200 home runs and 400 stolen bases. Jimmy gets my vote, but he sure didn’t get a lot of support from the writers.
Gary Sheffield - Received 40.6% 2021, which was up from the previous year, but stayed at 40.6% in 2022. This is his 9th on the ballot. Another who had a long career, with solid numbers, but in my mind falls short.
Hudson Street - His first year on the ballot. In a 12-year career, Street had 324 saves, 665 strikes and an ERA of 2.95. He won the Rookie of the Year Award in 2005 and was selected for the All-Star game twice. He was not a power reliever, his fastball top around 90mph, he relied more on his fastball’s movement and control, a slider and occasionally a changeup. Again, I’d say no, but we will have to see what the writers feel.
Omar Vizquel - Received 52.6% 2020, 49.1% in 2021 and 23.9% last year. This is his 6th year on the ballot. As I mentioned last year, I believe his percentage has dropped due to the domestic abuse allegations made by his wife in December of 2020 which MLB was investigating, and an August 2021 civil action which alleges sexual harassment of a Birmingham Barons, Class AA team’s bat boy with a disability which was filed in a federal district court in Alabama. If I am not mistaken their divorce was finalized on December 22nd of this year, but I know of no new updates from MLB on the abuse or the sexual harassment suit. Between these two issues, I would imagine his support would continue to drop. While I said a few years ago, he had my vote, my mind changed with these allegations and I’m still of that mindset.
Billy Wagner - Received 46.4% in 2021, 51% in 2022, this is his 8th year on the ballot. Numbers aren’t quite there in my opinion, but he was a good one. Perhaps with the log jam that left the ballot after last year, the writers will give him more support.
Jared Weaver - His first year on the ballot. Weaver has a fine Win-Loss Record of 150-98, 3.63 ERA and Career Strikeouts of 1,621. He pitched one No Hitter, was a 3 time All-Star, twice lead the AL in wins and one lead MLB in Strike Outs. He had a variety of pitches including a four and a two-seam faster ball but neither over 88mph, an average slider, and occasionally mixed in a curve, changeup, and cutter. He had some good years, but never took his team to a World Series. I think he’ll hang around the ballot for a few years, but he wouldn’t get my vote.
Jayson Werth - His first year on the ballot. Werth played for four teams over a 15-year career. His batting average was .267, he had 229 career home runs, and 799 RBIs. He was an All-Star one year and played on one World Series Champion. Solid player, but in my opinion, he’s not Hall of Fame caliber.
I know I will take criticism for excluding some of these players for their PEDs usage. ‘It doesn’t help you hit the ball”, “there wasn’t a rule concerning it when some of the usage occurred”, “there are probably players in the HoF that used and never got caught”, “what about other generations that relied on amphetamines?” and “they were HoF players prior to their PED usage”. I’ve heard all these and so many more, but that’s my line in the sand, they used, no Hall. I stick with “integrity and character” as attributes that need to be present, my feeling is that their kind of cheating shows their lack in those categories. Also, Bud Selig never should have been elected as I have always felt he knew of the usage and turned a blind eye. Another time, another post perhaps.
So, I only voted for two and both “underdogs”. I included some stats this year, but again having seen all these players I gave my honest evaluation. Of course, I’d enjoy hearing from you and who would get your votes.
I’d like to offer my congrats again to Fred McGriff who was unanimously, with all 16 votes elected by the Contemporary Baseball Era on December 4th. Also, to John Lowe, winner of the BBWAA Career Excellence Award and Pat Hughes who won the Ford C. Frick Award this year.
An aside; if you haven’t, get yourself out to Cooperstown and visit the Hall. Allow at least two days. It is a magical place where history comes alive.
Have a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year. Thanks for all your support!
~ Coach Mike
Author’s Shoutout to Sandy Koufax, “the Left Arm of god” who was born on December 30, 1935. Happy 87th birthday sir.
Additional Author’s Shoutout to Joe (a dedicated reader of “Comments”) and his wife Karen on the birth of their third child, Emily Marie. She’s adorable. Congrats!
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This is such a wonderful article🤩 Love your thoughts and feedback on these players‼️ I’m really taken aback that men like Francisco Hernandez and Omar Velquiz would even be considered 🤷🏻♀️ They don’t come close to rule #5. I agree with you on the use of PEDs. It should be part of the selection process. HoF stands for character and the players own ability and merit. Just my 2 cents from what I’ve learned from you🤗 Thank you for sharing😃
Another great article Mike!