Baseball Hall of Fame 2025 Ballot

Dec 31, 2024

“How can you not be romantic about baseball?” ~ Billy Beane

Today, Tuesday, December 31, 2024, is the last day of voting for the 2025 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 now. Their selections will be announced on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 7 p.m. E.T. by Hall of Fame president Josh Rawitch. The event will be covered live by the MLB Network. The induction will take place during the Hall of Fame Weekend on Sunday, the 27th of July 2025 at the Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown, NY 13326

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 Baseball Writers’ Association of America (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% 2022, had 60 votes / 15.4% in 2023, and 57 votes / 14.8% last year. This is his 6th year on the ballot. My opinion hasn’t changed, he had a solid career, but not HoF worthy.

Carlos Beltran – Received 181 votes / 46.5% in 2023, and 220 votes / 57.1% last year. This is his 3rd 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. 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 the New York Mets manager but stepped down prior to managing a game. MLB handled the scandal poorly in my opinion. His support went up, but I still hope the writers hold him more accountable than MLB did.

Mark Buehrle – Received 11% his first year, 2021 and 5.8% in 2022, he did better with 42 votes / 10.8% in 2023 but went down a bit last year with 32 votes / 8.3%. This will be his 5th year on the ballot. As I’ve said in the past, “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 still stick with that statement. Please CLICK HERE to read my son’s assessment in his guest blog. He is indeed a unique case in many ways as Mike pointed out. 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 (1 win / 1 Save) over 4 games. He gets my vote again this year, I truly hope he gets more support, he deserves it.

Carlos Gonzalez - His first year on the ballot. Gonzalez was a solid player, but over his 12-year career he wasn’t outstanding. Career .285 hitter with 234 home runs and 785 runs batted in. 3 Gold Gloves, 3 All Star appearances, 2 Silver Slugger Awards and the NL batting champion once. Just not a Hall of Famer in my opinion.

Curtis Granderson - His first year on the ballot. Granderson had a solid 16-year career. A career .249 hitter with 344 home runs and 937 runs batted in. He appeared in 3 All Star games, had one Silver Slugger Award and led the AL in RBIs one year. He received the Roberto Clemente Award in 2016. He has been active in charitable, civic and health organizations. He’s also active in the Major League Baseball Players Association. From all aspects he was a great teammate, player and human being. Unfortunately, I just don’t see him as having the overall career to be in the Hall.

Felix Hernandez - His first year on the ballot. “King Felix” who spent his whole 15-year career as a pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. He had a career record of 169-136, an ERA of 3.42 and 2,524 strikeouts. He was a 6-time All Star, won one Cy Young Award, led MLB in wins once, AL ERA leader twice and pitched a perfect game. He is in the Mariners Hall of Fame. He makes a good case for the hall, and I think the voters will give him support, but he won’t get in this year. We’ll see. He a “coin-flip” for me, so I wouldn’t vote for him.

Torii Hunter - Received 9.5% in his first year and 5.3% in 2022, he went up slightly in 2023 with 27 votes / 6.9%, and again last year with 28 votes / 7.3%. This is his 5th year on the ballot. Solid career, but not HoF worthy. I don’t see him gaining much momentum.

Adam Jones - His first year on the ballot. Adams had a solid 14-year career, with a .277 career batting average, hit 282 home runs with 945 runs batted in. He was a 5-time all-star, a four-time Gold Glove Award winner, and had one Silver Slugger Award. His case for enshrinement will have support from the voters, but not enough to hit 75%. He would not get my vote.

Andruw Jones - Received 19.4% in 2020, went up to 33.9% in 2021, 41.4 in 2022, 226 voted / 58.1% in 2023, and 237 votes / 61.6% last year. This will be his 8th year on the ballot. He surprised me by getting his voting percentage up again, but I still can’t vote for him as I don’t see him as a Hall of Fame Player.

Ian Kinsler - His first year on the ballot. Kinsler had a good 14-year career. He had a career .269 batting average with 257 homers and 909 runs batted in. He had 1,999 career hits. A four-time all-star, one World Series championship (2018) and two Gold Gloves. He is in the Rangers Hall of Fame. As far as the voters go, I don’t believe he will get abundant support as he doesn’t have over 2,000 hits, it seems to be a benchmark. I can’t see him as a Hall of Famer.

Russell Martin - His first year on the ballot. Martin played for 14 years. A good defensive catcher with a career .248 batting average, 191 home runs with 771 runs batted in. He was a four-time All-Star; he won a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove Award. I doubt he will have much support from the writers. Probably a “one and done”. He doesn’t get my vote.

Brian McCann - His first year on the ballot. McCann had a 15-year career. His early catching numbers were not stellar. He had a .262 batting average, 282 home runs and 1,018 runs batted in. He was a 7-time All-Star, 6 Silver Slugger Awards and one World Series championship (2017). In my mind his defining moment was when he blocked the plate after Brewers Carlos Gomez (who was a Class A “idiot”) hit a home run and pimped around the bases while yelling at pitcher Paul Haholm, Freddie Freeman and others. Gomez never touched home plate. (CLICK HERE to view). Great moment that I whole-heartedly applaud him for, but not enough to get into the Hall and I feel the voters will agree.

Dustin Pedroia - His first year on the ballot. Pedroia had a 14-year career, all with the Boston Red Sox. He had a career batting average of .299 with 140 home runs and 725 runs batted in. Add 624 walks, 922 runs, 394 doubles and 15 triples as well. Defensively he had a .991 fielding percentage. A 4-time All-Star, won two World Series championships (2007 and 2013), was the AL MPV one, AL Rookie of the Year (2007), had four Gold Glove Awards, a Silver Slugger Award and is in the Red Sox Hall of Fame. His career was cut short due to a knee injury from which he never really recovered, so there is the “what if” question. He had a 10-year stretch where he shined, but was he dominant? This is a hard choice, and I think he will get voter support, but I’m going to take a pass on voting for him. A good, over-achieving player, but not a Hall of Famer.

Andy Pettitte - Absolutely not, PEDs. Received 13.7% in 2021 and 10.7% in 2022 and 66 votes / 17% in 2023 and 52 votes / 13.5% last year. This will be his 7^th year on the ballot.

Hanley Ramirez - His first year on the ballot. Ramirez spent 15 years on MLB rosters. He played shortstop, left field and first base. He was not known as a good defensive shortstop, an even worse outfielder, but was better at first. His career batting average was .289 with 271 home runs and 917 runs batted in. He was a 3-time All-Star, NL Rookie of the Year (2006), won the NL batting title (2009) and had two Silver Slugger awards. Offensively a good player, defensively, mostly a liability. He will get support, but I wouldn’t vote him in.

Manny Ramírez - Absolutely not, PEDs. Received 28.2% two years in a row, then 28.9% in 2022, he went up again with 129 / 33.2% in 2023 but dropped slightly last year with 125 votes / 32.5%. This is his 9th year on the ballot.

Fernando Rodney - His first year on the ballot. Rodney’s career spanned 17-MLB seasons with various clubs. He was both a setup man and closer. His won / loss record is 48-71, ERA 3.80, 327 Saves, and 943 Strikeouts. He was a 3-Time All-Star, had one World Series championship (2019), was Delivery Man of the Year (2012), AL Saves Leader (2014) and AL Comeback Player of the Year (2012). His numbers aren’t up there with Trevor Hoffman (601 saves, 2.87 ERA) and Mariano Rivera (652 saves, 2.31 ERA), and even Billy Wagner (422, 2.31) who I’ve always considered a “borderline” guy is higher, so I won’t be voting for him. But because of his longevity and “flair” (the tilted hat and the bow and arrow routine) he was popular and will get support. An aside, although his last season in the majors was 2019, he is still pitching at 47, being signed for the 2025 with the Hamilton Cardinals of Ontario’s Intercounty Baseball League. Have a great season there Rodney.

Alex Rodriguez – Absolutely not, multiple PEDs. Received 34.3% in 2022, had 139 votes / 35.7% in 2023, and 134 votes / 34.8%. This will be his fourth year on the ballot. I don’t see him garnering much more support.

Francisco Rodriguez – He received 42 votes / 10.8% in first year on the ballot, 30 votes / 7.8% last year. As I stated the last two years, while having 437 career saves should be enough to obtain enough votes, his integrity and character traits come into play. Rodriguez had some minor disputes, one in 2009 there was a 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. This is his 3rd year, the writers didn’t give him much support, and it’s dwindling. He wouldn’t get my vote.

Jimmy Rollins – Received 9.4% his first year and 50 votes / 12.9% in 2023, last year he went up slightly with 57 votes / 14.8%. This is his fourth 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 still gets my vote, but he sure hasn’t gotten a lot of support from the writers and unfortunately, I don’t see that changing this year.

CC Sabathia - His first year on the ballot. He’s got my vote and I’m sure at least 75% of the voters.

Ichiro Suzuki – His first year on the ballot. He’s definitely got my vote and probably upwards of 98% of the voters. The definition of a first ballot Hall of Famer.

Troy Tulowitzki - His first year on the ballot. Tulowitzki had a 13-year career mostly with the Colorado Rockies (3 with the Blue Jays, 1 with the Yankees). He had a career .290 batting average, 225 home runs and 780 runs batted in. He was a 5-time All-Star, won 2 Silver Slugger and 2 Gold Glove Awards. Nice guy, solid player. I think he’ll be a “one and done”. He wouldn’t get my vote.

Chase Utley – On his first year on the ballot he received 111 votes / 28.8%. It wasn’t a terrible showing, but he has a long climb ahead of him in his 2^nd year. Utley played 16 seasons for two teams, mostly the Phillies. His career numbers, a .275 batting average, 259 home runs and 1,025 runs batted in along with 154 stolen bases are a bit low for a second baseman. He was great over a five-year period (2005-09) winning 4 Silver Slugger Awards and carried a career .982 fielding percentage as a second baseman. Tough call. The writers showed him some love, but I’m a still coin-flip, which means I wouldn’t vote for him.

Omar Vizquel - Received 52.6% 2020, 49.1% in 2021 and 23.9% in 2022, 76 votes / 19.5% in 2023, and had 68 votes / 17.7% last year. This is his 8^th 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; a confidential settlement was reached in 2022. If I am not mistaken their divorce was finalized on December 22^nd of last year, but I know of no new updates from MLB on the abuse or the sexual harassment suit. Between these two issues, I imagine his support will 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, no Hall for him.

Billy Wagner - Received 46.4% in 2021, 51% in 2022, in 2023 with 265 votes / 68.1%, and he gained votes again last year with 284 votes / 73.8%, just missing the needed 75%. This is his 10th and final year on the ballot. His numbers aren’t quite there in my opinion, but he was a good one. He has moved up consistently and is within striking distance. But as I said, not in my mind. Since this is his last year, I have the feeling the voters will put him in though.

David Wright – Last year he received 24 votes / 6.2%, it was his first year on the ballot. He played for 14 years, but due to injury and spinal stenosis diagnosis he played in only 77 games in his last three years. His early retirement will probably be reflected in the voting process. Wright had some solid years. But I didn’t see him getting in and I wouldn’t vote for him. I imagine he won’t get the 5% this year needed to stay on the ballot, but I could be wrong.

Ben Zobrist - His first year on the ballot. Zobrist played 14 seasons. He had a .266 career batting average, 167 home runs with 768 runs batted in. He was a 3-time All-Star, 2-Time Worlds Series champion (2015 and 2016) and the World Series MVP (2016). He played a variety of defensive positions, primarily a second baseman, he played over 2,200 innings in right field and over 1,700 at shortstop; he also played in center and left. He was always a popular teammate and seemed like a decent guy, but in my mind, he’s another “one and done”. He wouldn’t get my vote.

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 excuses 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.

So, I only voted for four. I included some stats this year, but again having seen all these players I gave my honest evaluation. The Hall enshrinement is meant for elite players, not everybody should get in. It should be difficult. Of course, I ‘d enjoy hearing from you and who would get your votes.

I’d like to offer my congratulations to Dick Allen and Dave Parker who were elected as players earlier this month by The Hall of Fame Classic Era Committee. Also, congrats, to Thomas Boswell (who had a 52-year career at the Washington Post) the winner of the BBWAA Career Excellence Award and Tom Hamilton (who called Cleveland Guardian games on the radio for 35 years) is the recipient of 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.

Author’s Shoutout: Sandy Koufax, “the Left Arm of god” who was born on December 30, 1935. Happy 89^th birthday, sir.

Author’s Note: Rest In Peace sportscaster Greg Gumbel who passed away on December 27^th. Also Rest In Peace Jimmy Carter, the 39^th president and a Nobel Peace Prize winner who passed away at the age of 100 on December 29^th.

Thanks, and Happy New Year!

~ Coach Mike

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