We are in December, which we at Notinhalloffame call “Hall of Fame Season,” and one of its premier events is the announcement of the 2026 Baseball Writers of America Ballot.  Announced today is that Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones have received the necessrry 75% of the vote to enter the hallowed halls of Cooperstown.

Let’s take a deep dive into the results:

INDUCTED:

Carlos Beltran: 84.2 %, enters on his fourth ballot.   Beltran had the resume that should have put him close to the borderline of a first-ballot Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, but his significant role in the Houston Astros cheating scandal led many voters (we believe) to make him pay penance.  That wait is now over.   Beltran blasted 435 Home Runs, 1,587 RBI, and holds distinguished accolades such as nine All-Stars, two Silver Sluggers, and three Gold Gloves, along with the 2017 World Series, the 1999 Rookie of the Year, and the 2013 Clemente.  Notinhalloffame.com congratulates Carlos Beltran for earning this honor. 

Andruw Jones:  78.4%, enters his ninth ballot.  Jones progressed nicely, especially after he had a lower than 8% in his first two years.  The five-time All-Star won ten Gold Gloves, smacked 434 Home Runs, 1,289 RBIs, and was the 2005 NL MVP runner-up.  Jones’ induction marks the first time a player from Curacao has entered the Hall.  Notinhalloffame.com congratulates Andruw Jones for earning this honor. 

Beltran and Jones will join Veterans Inductee Jeff Kent in the Class of 2026.

Failing to make the 75%.

Chase Utley:  59.1% on his third ballot.  This was a huge jump for Utley, who had 39.8% last year and, based on his trajectory, could enter next year.  Utley is a six-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger at Second Base who owns a World Series Ring (Philadelphia 2008).  He has 259 Home Runs, 1,885 Hits, and a bWAR over 60.  

Andy Pettitte:  48.5% on his eighth ballot.  We said in our preview that Pettitte would need a significant jump to find himself in the Hall of Fame hunt, and he got it with a colossal jump from 27.9% last year.  Remember that Pitcher never had more than 17% in his first six seasons, and for the first time since he debuted on the ballot in 2019, he now has a puncher’s chance.  He had a 256-153 record, 2,448 SO, a 60.2 bWA, and has World Series Rings.  Is Pettitte the one that Hall of Fame voters have forgiven for PED use?  Perhaps, as though he admitted use, he was not suspended as his use predated the 2005 MLB ban of HGH.   Nobody handled an admission of PED use better, and thus no admitted (or positively tested post 2004) player has a better shot.

Felix Hernandez:  46.1% on his second ballot.  The support of “King Felix” has exploded with a jump of over 25% on his sophomore year on the ballot, and this bodes well for the former Cy Young winner.  The lifetime Mariner had a lifetime record of 169-136 with 2,524 Strikeouts.  Hernandez was also a five-time All-Star and twice led the AL in ERA.  It should only be a matter of time for Felix, and we have to wonder if that could revert back to helping players like Johan Santana.

Alex Rodriguez:  40% on his fifth ballot.  No player on the ballot has a better resume than A-Rod, but he has two PED suspensions on a resume with three MVPs, 10 Silver Sluggers, and two Gold Gloves.  Boasting 3,115 Hits, 696 Home Runs, and 2,086 RBIs, Rodriguez can make a claim as one of the ten best players ever, but his Hall of Fame voting has no momentum from year to year.  Sure, he made it to 40%, but it was a minimal jump from his 37.1% from last year.  

Manny Ramirez:  38.3% on his tenth and final ballot.  Ramirez is in the same expensive boat as Rodriguez, as he also has the stats (555 Home Runs, 1,831 RBIs) and the awards (12 All-Stars, nine Silver Sluggers, and two World Series rings) that eclipse many Hall of Famers.  However, again, like A-Rod, Ramirez also has two PED suspensions and has treaded water on the ballot since he debuted.  He now joins the Veterans’ pool, and if Bonds and Clemens can’t sniff the Hall on that ballot, what chance does Manny have?  Manny will continue to be Manny, but it will take place outside of Cooperstown.

Bobby Abreu:   30.8% on his seventh ballot.  This was the jump that Abreu needed, as he had 19.5% last year, and considering he barely made it to survival on year one (5.5% in 2020), this breathes life into what looked like a dormant HOF campaign.  He is a two-time All-Star with 2,470 Hits, 288 Home Runs, and a bWAR of just over 60.  

Jimmy Rollins:  25.4% on his fifth ballot.  Rollins jumped from 18% last year, but at the halfway mark of his eligibiltiy there is still a long way to go.  The three-time All-Star is a former World Series winner with the Phillies, won four Gold Gloves and one Silver Slugger, and has 231 Home Runs and 2,455 Hits.  

Cole Hamels:  23.8% on his first ballot.  Posting a record of 163-122, Hamels was the NLCS MVP and World Series MVP in the Phillies' 2008 Title.   He is a four-time All-Star and boasts 2,560 Strikeouts, and this is a very good debut on the ballot for the Pitcher.

Dustin Pedroia:   20.7% on his second ballot.  Pedroia needed to climb over 20% to put forth a decent HOF path, and he just scraped over that in this ballot.  Pedroia helped the Red Sox win two World Series Championships and, individually, was an MVP with four Gold Gloves, four All-Stars, and a Silver Slugger, and compiled 1,805 Hits.  We have seen players with far less vote support in year two make the Hall, and they don’t have the rings and MVP that Pedroia has.

Mark Buehrle:  20.0% on his sixth ballot.  Beuhrle finally made some progress on the ballot, reaching 20% after bobbing up and down from the 10% spot.  Buehrle had a career record of 214-160 with 1,870 Strikeouts and was a five-time All-Star who won a World Series with the Chicago White Sox.  

Omar Vizquel:  18.4% on his ninth ballot.  Vizquel looked to be headed toward the Baseball Hall of Fame, but the defensively gifted Shortstop was accused of domestic violence, and his support plummeted to his lowest mark last year (17.7) from 52.6% in 2020.  11 Gold Gloves and over 2,800 Hits won’t matter.  This case is dead as dead can be.

David Wright:  14.8% on his second ballot.  Wright did climb six percent from his Hall of Fame debut, but there is a lot more work to do.  Playing for the New York Mets for his entire career, Wright played at Third Base, where he was a seven-time All-Star and won two Silver Sluggers and two Gold Gloves.  

Francisco Rodriguez:  11.8% on his fourth ballot.  Despite Rodriguez having similar numbers to Billy Wagner, he is treading water on the ballot.  K-Rod was a World Series Champion with the Angels, and recorded 457 Saves with six All-Star Games and two Rolaids Relief Awards.  

Torii Hunter:  8.7% on his sixth ballot.  Hunter remains in jeopardy of falling off the ballot, having never made double digits in the vote.  Hunter collected 2,452 Hits, smacked 353 Home Runs, and went to five All-Stars, winning nine Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers.  

Failed to make 5%, and were eliminated from contention.

Ryan Braun:  3.5% on his first ballot.  Playing his entire career with the Milwaukee Brewers, Braun won the 2007 NL Rookie of the Year and 2011 NL MVP, was also a six-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger winner.  Braun, who had 1,963 Hits and 352 Home Runs, has a candidacy marred by a 2013 PED suspension and his even worse initial attempt to frame the tester.  

Edwin Encarnacion:  1.4% on his first ballot.  Encarnacion blasted 424 Home Runs over his career with three All-Star selections in tow.  

Shin-Soo Choo:  0.7% on his first ballot.  A one-time All-Star, Choo had 1,671 Hits with 218 Home Runs.  

Matt Kemp:  0.5% on his first ballot.  The NL MVP runner-up in 2011, when he won the Home Run Title, Kemp won two Gold Gloves, two Silver Sluggers, and went to three All-Star Games.  He belted 287 Home Runs with 1,808 Hits. 

Hunter Pence:  0.5% on his first ballot.   Pence won two World Series rings with the San Francisco Giants and was selected to four All-Star games.  He compiled 1,791 Hits with 244 dingers.

Rick Porcello:  0.5% on his first ballot.   Porcello won the 2016 AL Cy Young and two years later helped the Red Sox win the World Series.  He had a 150-125 record with 1,561 Strikeouts.  

Alex Gordon:  0.2% on his first ballot.   Gordon won a World Series Championship with Kansas City in 2015, and he earned three All-Star and eight Gold Glove Awards.  He had 1,643 Hits and 190 Home Runs. 

Nick Markakis:  0.5% on his first ballot.   Markakis accumulated 2,388 Hits with 189 Home Runs and was also a one-time All-Star, who won a Silver Slugger and three Gold Gloves.  

Howie Kendrick:  0% on the first ballot. An All-Star once, Kendrick had 1,747 Hits with a lifetime .294 Batting Average.  Late in his career, he won a World Series with Washington in 2019.  

Gio Gonzalez:  0% on the first ballot.  A two-time All-Star, Gonzalez went 131-101 with 1,860 Strikeouts.  

Daniel Murphy:  0% on the first ballot.  An All-Star three times, Murphy won two Silver Sluggers, the 2019 NLCS MVP, and had 1,572 Hits with a .296 Batting Average. 

Next month, we will revise our Notinhalloffame Baseball list, incorporating your votes and including those eligible in 2027.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate those who have made the 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot.

The Baseball Hall of Fame Contemporary Era Veterans Committee has announced tht Jeff Kent is the lone man to have obtained the necessarry 75% to join the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

Kent received 14 of the 18 votes, and the man with the most Home Runs among any Second Baseman (351 of his career 377).   A five-time All-Star, Kent won the 2000 NL MVP and earned four Silver Sluggers.  Kent also had 2,461 Hits and 1,518 RBIs.

Three other players will be eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame on the next Contemporary Ballot.

Carlos Delgado received nine votes and Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy earned six.

As a new wrinkle, players who received five or fewer votes will not be on the next Contemporary Ballot in 2029.  This means that Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Gary Sheffield and Fernando Valenzuela will not be considered for that ballot.

Notably, this year’s committee consisted of Hall of Fame Fergie Jenkins, Jim Kaat, Juan Marichal, Tony Perez, Ozzie Smith, Alan Trammell and Robin Yount; major league executives Mark Attanasio, Doug Melvin, Arte Moreno, Kim Ng, Tony Reagins and Terry Ryan; and veteran media members/historians Steve Hirdt, Tyler Kepner and Jayson Stark.

Over the next five years, the respective committees will be voting for:

2027-Contemporary Baseball Managers/Executives/Umpires; 2028-Classic Baseball; 2029-Contemporary Baseball Players; 2030-Contemporary Baseball Managers/Executives/Umpires; 2031-Classic Baseball.

Please note that we will be revising our Notinhalloffame Baseball List once we know the Writers' elect for the Class of 2026.

We here at notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Jeff Kent for his impending induction.

P

Ah, November. 

Let’s first begin with what Notinhalloffame.com is thankful for…

Hall of Fame Season amps up every time this year!

Today, the Baseball Hall of Fame has announced the 2026 Ballot, which will be sent to the Baseball Writers of America.  Each committee member will return their ballot, which may include up to 10 names from a list of 27 players.  This contains 15 returning names and 12 new candidates.

To enter the Baseball Hall of Fame, a candidate must receive at least 75% of the vote.

Here are the 2026 candidates:

The Returning Candidates:

Carlos Beltran:  70.3% last year and is now on his fourth ballot.  Have the voters punished Beltran for his role in the 2017 Houston Astros cheating scandal?  Probably.  Beltran has the stats for the Hall (435 HR, 1,587 RBI) and the accolades (nine All-Stars, two Silver Sluggers, and three Gold Gloves), and it is a matter of time for a player who looked like a fringe first-ballot entry.  This could be the year.  Ranked #13 on notinhalloffame.com.

Andruw Jones:  66.2% last year and is now on his ninth ballot.  Jones has progressed well, especially given that he had a lower than 8% in his first two years.  The five-time All-Star won ten Gold Gloves, smacked 434 Home Runs, 1,289 RBIs, and was the 2005 NL MVP runner-up.  There may only be two years left, but we would bet on an induction in one of them.  Ranked #22 on notinhalloffame.com.

Chase Utley.  39.8% last year and is now on his third ballot.  Utley is a six-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger at Second Base who owns a World Series Ring (Philadelphia 2008).  He has 259 Home Runs, 1,885 Hits, and a bWAR over 60.  Ranked #31 on notinhalloffame.com.

Alex Rodriguez:  37.1% last year and is now on his fifth ballot.  No player on the ballot has a better resume than A-Rod, but he has two PED suspensions on a resume with three MVPs, 10 Silver Sluggers, and two Gold Gloves.  Boasting 3,115 Hits, 696 Home Runs, and 2,086 RBIs, Rodriguez can make a claim as one of the ten best players ever, but his Hall of Fame voting has no momentum from year to year.  This is not a Hall of Fame path.  Ranked #4 on notinhalloffame.com.

Manny Ramirez:  34.3% last year and is now on his tenth and final ballot.  Ramirez is in the same expensive boat as Rodriguez, as he also has the stats (555 Home Runs, 1,831 RBIs) and the awards (12 All-Stars, nine Silver Sluggers, and two World Series rings) that eclipse many Hall of Famers.  However, again, like A-Rod, Ramirez also has two PED suspensions and has treaded water on the ballot since he debuted.  Nothing will change in his last year on the Modern ballot.  Ranked #11 on notinhalloffame.com.

Andy Pettitte:  27.9% last year and is now on his eighth ballot.  Pettitte looks like he will miss Cooperstown, and despite the solid metrics (256-153, 2,448 SO & 60.2 bWAR) and five World Series rings, he was also popped for PEDs.   However, last year Pettitte had his highest percentage by ten percent, so if there is a run to be had for the Hall, he needs an even bigger jump on this ballot.  Ranked #39 on notinhalloffame.com.

Felix Hernandez:  20.6% last year and is now on his second ballot.  “King Felix” won a Cy Young Award with the Mariners, where he had a lifetime record of 169-136 with 2,524 Strikeouts.  He was also a five-time All-Star and twice led the AL in ERA.  Hernandez’s 20.6 debut on the ballot is a promising start for eventual induction.  Ranked #66 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bobby Abreu:   19.5% last year and is now on his seventh ballot.  Abreu’s percentage is growing, with last year’s total his highest to date.  He is a two-time All-Star with 2,470 Hits, 288 Home Runs, and a bWAR of just over 60.  Ranked #72 on notinhalloffame.com.

Jimmy Rollins:  18.0% last year and is now on his fifth ballot.  Rollins’s 18.0% from last year was his best result, and the three-time All-Star needs a significant jump this year.  He is a former World Series winner with the Phillies, won four Gold Gloves and one Silver Slugger, and has 231 Home Runs and 2,455 Hits.  Ranked #108 on notinhalloffame.com.

Omar Vizquel:  17.8% last year and is now on his ninth ballot.  Vizquel looked to be headed toward the Baseball Hall of Fame, but the defensively gifted Shortstop was accused of domestic violence, and his support plummeted to his lowest mark last year (17.7) from 52.6% in 2020.  11 Gold Gloves and over 2,800 Hits won’t matter.  This case is dead.  Ranked #55 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dustin Pedroia:   11.9% last year and is now on his second ballot.  Pedroia helped the Red Sox win two World Series Championships and, individually, was an MVP with four Gold Gloves, four All-Stars, and a Silver Slugger.  He compiled 1,805 Hits.  While 11.9% may not seem like much, we have seen players with weaker debuts make the Hall of Fame.  Ranked #73 on notinhalloffame.com.

Mark Buehrle:  11.4% last year and is now on his sixth ballot.  Beuhrle is going nowhere on the ballot, having debuted at 11% and only breaking that for the first time last year.  Buehrle had a career record of 214-160 with 1,870 Strikeouts and was a five-time All-Star who won a World Series with the Chicago White Sox.  Ranked #68 on notinhalloffame.com.

Francisco Rodriguez:  10.2% last year and is now on his fourth ballot.  Despite Rodriguez having similar numbers to Wagner, he has fallen since his 10.8% debut, though last year was his second-best result.  K-Rod was a World Series Champion with the Angels, and recorded 457 Saves with six All-Star Games and two Rolaids Relief Awards.  Ranked #105 on notinhalloffame.com.

David Wright:  8.1% last year and is now on his second ballot.  Playing for the New York Mets for his entire career, Wright played at Third Base, where he was a seven-time All-Star and won two Silver Sluggers and two Gold Gloves.  Ranked #90 on notinhalloffame.com.

Torii Hunter:  5.1% last year and is now on his sixth ballot.  Hunter remains in jeopardy of falling off the ballot, having never made double digits in the vote.  Hunter collected 2,452 Hits, smacked 353 Home Runs, and went to five All-Stars, winning nine Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers.  Ranked #93 on notinhalloffame.com.

The following are making their debut on the ballot:

Cole Hamels:   Posting a record of 163-122, Hamels was the NLCS MVP and World Series MVP in the Phillies' 2008 Title.   He is a four-time All-Star and boasts 2,560 Strikeouts.  Ranked #70 on notinhalloffame.com. 

Ryan Braun:  Playing his entire career with the Milwaukee Brewers, Braun won the 2007 NL Rookie of the Year and 2011 NL MVP, was also a six-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger winner.  Braun, who had 1,963 Hits and 352 Home Runs, has a candidacy marred by a 2013 PED suspension and his even worse initial attempt to frame the tester.  Ranked #101 on notinhalloffame.com

Alex Gordon: Gordon won a World Series Championship with Kansas City in 2015, and he earned three All-Star and eight Gold Glove Awards.  He had 1,643 Hits and 190 Home Runs.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Shin-Soo Choo:  A one-time All-Star, Choo had 1,671 Hits with 218 Home Runs.  Unranked on Nothinhalloffame.com.

Edwin Encarnacion:  Encarnacion blasted 424 Home Runs over his career with three All-Star selections in tow.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Howie Kendrick:  An All-Star once, Kendrick had 1,747 Hits with a lifetime .294 Batting Average.  Late in his career, he won a World Series with Washington in 2019.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Nick Markakis:  Markakis accumulated 2,388 Hits with 189 Home Runs and was also a one-time All-Star, who won a Silver Slugger and three Gold Gloves.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Hunter Pence:  Pence won two World Series rings with the San Francisco Giants and was selected to four All-Star games.  He compiled 1,791 Hits with 244 dingers. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Gio Gonzalez:  A two-time All-Star, Gonzalez went 131-101 with 1,860 Strikeouts.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Matt Kemp:  The NL MVP runner-up in 2011, when he won the Home Run Title, Kemp won two Gold Gloves, two Silver Sluggers, and went to three All-Star Games.  He belted 287 Home Runs with 1,808 Hits.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Daniel Murphy:   An All-Star three times, Murphy won two Silver Sluggers, the 2019 NLCS MVP, and had 1,572 Hits with a .296 Batting Average.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Rick Porcello:   Porcello won the 2016 AL Cy Young and two years later helped the Red Sox win the World Series.  He had a 150-125 record with 1,561 Strikeouts.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jason Kipnis, Matt Wieters, Jeff Samardzija, Chris Davis, Kelvin Herrera, and Edinson Volquez all played enough seasons to qualify for the ballot but were left off.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate those who have made the 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot.

This year yielded a bumper crop of five players inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, three elected by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) and two by the Classic Baseball Era iteration of the veterans committee (VC). Don't expect that for next year.

Among the first-time eligibles, and for the first time in years, there are no clear Hall of Famers on the 2026 BBWAA ballot, performance-enhancing drug (PED) taint or not. Among the returnees, it is a mop-up operation as one, maybe two, may get the call to the Hall, one will fall off the ballot while a few may do so, a few will continue to build gradual support, and the rest will discover, or continue to realize, that they've been friendzoned by the voters: I like you but not in that way.

When the veterans committee (VC), officially convening as the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee for players, meets December 7 at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida, the only burning question is whether it will elect Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, or both to the National Baseball Hall of Fame since this ballot repeats the VC's 2023 charade of gaming that ballot to ensure that Fred McGriff was elected to Cooperstown.

Joining this anointed pair are Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, who had joined the M & M boys on the 2023 VC ballot, along with first-timers Carlos Delgado, Jeff Kent, Gary Sheffield, and Fernando Valenzuela. Kent and Sheffield recently exited the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) ballot after ten fruitless years, with Delgado a one-and-done in 2015 and Valenzuela, who died in 2024 at age 63, gone in 2004 after two marginal appearances.

The Baseball Hall of Fame has announced the eight names who will be on the Contemporary Baseball Era ballot.  This Era focuses on players whose primary contributions occurred after 1980.

To gain induction, the candidate must receive 75% of the ballots cast among the 16-member committee.  That committee has yet to be announced.

The candidates are:

Barry Bonds, PIT 1986-92 & SF 1993-2007, Outfield.  Bonds is one of the greatest position players the game has ever seen.  The all-time leader in Home Runs (762) also boasts the single-season mark with 73.  The longtime Outfielder is also the all-time leader in bWAR (162.8), Walks (2,558), and MVPs (7), and he won two Batting Titles, 10 OBP Titles, seven Slugging Titles, and nine OPS Titles.  His trophy case also boasts 12 Silver Sluggers and eight Gold Gloves.  Bonds peaked on the regular ballot with 66% in his final year in 2022, and was on the Veterans ballot the year after, though did not receive enough support for his tally to be announced.  His issue, like many, is his suspected PED use, which has kept him out of Cooperstown.

Roger Clemens, BOS, 1984-96, TOR 1997-98, NYY 1999-2003 & 2007, & HOU 2004-06, Pitcher.  Clemens is the Pitching equivalent of Bonds regarding the Hall of Fame, as they joined the modern ballot together, left the modern vote together, and were also on the 2023 Senior Ballot, where, like Bonds, he did not receive enough votes for his tally to be revealed.  Clemens won an MVP, seven Cy Youngs, seven ERA Titles, five Strikeout Titles, and compiled a record of 354-184 with 4,672 Strikeouts.  There is no way anyone on this committee should vote for Bonds without Clemens or vice versa.

Carlos Delgado,  TOR 1993-2004, FLA 2004 & NYM 2006-09, First Base.  Delgado was a two-time All-Star who powered 473 Home Runs with 1,502 RBIs while also securing three Silver Sluggers.  While Delgado did not win an MVP, the Sporting News named him the 2003 Major League Player of the Year.  On the Modern ballot, Delgado lasted only one year (3.8% in 2015), but that ballot included 13 players who made the Hall, including Bonds, Clemens, Kent, Sheffield, Curt Schilling, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa.

Jeff Kent, TOR 1992, NYM 1992-96, CLE 1996, SFG 1997-2002, HOU 2003-04 & LAD 2005-08, Second Base.  A five-time All-Star, Kent won the 2000 NL MVP and earned four Silver Sluggers.  Kent smacked 377 Home Runs with 2,461 Hits and 1,518 RBIs.  On the Modern ballot, Kent finished as high as 46.5% (his last time on the ballot), and this is his Senior ballot debut.

Don Mattingly, NYY, 1982-95, First Base.  Mattingly was one of the best hitters in the 1980s, batting over .300 for six consecutive seasons (1984-89) and winning the 1984 AL Batting Title.  A six-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger recipient, Mattingly also won nine Gold Gloves.  Injuries derailed him by 1990, and his Hall of Fame candidacy went off the track with it.  Mattingly still had 2,153 Hits and 222 Home Runs, and he later became a Coach and Manager, and won the 2020 NL Manager of the Year.  The highest he finished on the Modern ballot was his first attempt (28.2% in 2001), but in 2023, on his third Veteran’s ballot, he had 50% of the votes.

Dale Murphy, ATL 1976-87, PHI 1990-92 & COL 1993, Outfield.  Murphy won back-to-back National League MVPs (1982 & 1983), was a two-time Home Run champion, and went yard 398 times.  The seven-time All-Star won four Silver Sluggers, five Gold Gloves, but never made it to 30%.  He has, however, been in the Senior vote three times, and in 2023, he had 37.5% of the tally.

Gary Sheffield, MIL 1988-91, SDP 1992-93, FLA 1993-98, LAD 1998-2001, ATL 2002-03, NYY 2004-05, DET 2007-08, & NYM 2009 Outfield.  A member of the 500 Home Run club (509), Sheffield went to the All-Star game nine times, won five Silver Sluggers, and a Batting Title.  A World Series Champion with the Marlins, Sheffield finished with 63.9% in his final year on the ballot (2024), and is on his first Senior ballot.

Fernando Valenzuela, LAD 1980-90, CAL 1991, BAL 1993, PHI 1994, SDP, 1995-97 & STL 1998, Pitcher,  Fernandomania took over the sports world in 1981, when Valenzuela won the Rookie of the Year, the Cy Young, and led the Dodgers to a World Series win.  He was also a six-time All-Star and had a record of 173-153 with 2,074 Strikeouts.  Previously, he was on the ballot for only two years and had never been on a Senior Ballot.

The results will be announced on December 7 at 7:30 EST on the MLB Network. 

The best of the best stand in the Hall of Fame so that the generations to come can learn from them and others can admire. It's the pinnacle of someone's career, and a true honor to stand among the stars. But not all stories have a happy or fair ending. Sometimes, for whatever reason, those truly deserving are left out.

Dwight Evans — The Kind Of Career You Have To Look Twice At

Evans wasn’t a sensation out of the gate. For his first handful of seasons, he was good, not great. Then, something clicked. From his late 20s into his 30s, he became one of the American League’s most valuable players—though you wouldn’t have guessed that from his All-Star totals or media coverage at the time. 385 home runs, nearly 70 WAR, and defensive value that stood out even in an era of strong arms in right field. But voters tend to prefer players who shine early and often.

Evans built his case slowly, methodically. We can take solace that, if he had been playing in current times, he would probably not be ignored, where fans and the biggest and most popular sports betting sites would surely recognize his incredible performance. Today, the odds of both the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles would be favorable if Dewey were on the field, but as that is not the case, we can only wonder and fantasize about what could have been. You can, however, use these sites for the very latest odds offered on everything sports-related, in the hope of getting lucky.

Kenny Lofton — Always Moving, Rarely Noticed

Lofton could turn a single into a double with a head start. Over 600 stolen bases. A glove that changed games in center field. Six All-Star appearances. Maybe it was the lack of a signature team. Eleven franchises in seventeen years tends to scatter the narrative. And he played in an era crowded with bigger bats, louder names. But take away the noise, and you see it. A player who combined speed, discipline, and defense in ways most never could. That just didn’t translate to headlines or Hall votes.

Bobby Grich — Ahead Of The Metrics

Here’s someone whose career makes more sense now than it did when he retired. Grich didn’t chase batting titles or RBI records. He walked. Played elite defense at second base. Posted strong on-base numbers when few cared to measure them. By Baseball Reference WAR, he clocks in at 71. That’s not just good — that’s Hall-level good. And he may be even stealthily Hall of Fame worthy, as the case is still open for him.

But his style didn’t align with the expectations of the era. Second basemen were supposed to hit for average, maybe drop bunts, and steal bases. Grich drew walks and hit for power. Subtle things, easy to miss at the time. If he played today, he’d probably be seen in a very different light. That’s the strange part: sometimes, a player’s era works against them in hindsight.

Dale Murphy — A Story Of Peaks And Drops

Murphy’s rise was hard to ignore. But the second act never really came. His numbers fell off. His swing lost something. And voters remembered the ending more than the start. He still hit 398 homers. Still won five Gold Gloves and made seven All-Star teams. He’s part of the 30/30 club, if nothing else. He had the kind of peak stretch that defines stars. But that peak was brief compared to others who made it in. And Hall voters often weigh consistency just as heavily as dominance. Murphy gave them one, not both, and that wasn’t quite enough.

Closing Thoughts

The Hall of Fame isn’t just about stats. It’s about stories. And some players, for reasons that don’t always make sense, never get the full telling of theirs. Lofton, Evans, Grich, Murphy — they each built careers worthy of reflection. Maybe someday, they’ll get more than that.

The modern era of the National Baseball Hall of Fame has been shaped by the question of whether or not Pete Rose, the all-time hits leader in baseball, should be honoured in Cooperstown. For decades, Major League Baseball has said no, and they have stuck to that answer because he was banned for life from betting on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds. But in a shocking move that has rocked the baseball world, Commissioner Rob Manfred, with the help of a new committee, has lifted the permanent ban on Rose after his death, making him eligible for Hall of Fame consideration.

This choice is a huge change in baseball's attitude towards a player who has been an outcast for a long time. Rose's gambling, which got him banned for life, is very different from the modern game, where every major league stadium now has an official betting partner. The same league that kicked out its best hitter for gambling is now publicly supporting and making money off of it. For the average fan looking for a site for online betting, this change has been smooth. But for baseball purists, it goes against the sport's most important moral code. People who have watched this drama play out for decades know how hypocritical it is.

The New Era and a Historical Injustice

The return of Rose is part of a larger effort to look at old policies and wrongs that have happened in the past. The committee's report, which came out late last week, said that we need to look at players' contributions and character in a more complete way. It said that Rose's on-field excellence should be looked at separately from his off-field mistakes, especially since the league has recently embraced gambling.

The committee's decision included the following important points:

• Recognizing the historical context: Understanding that the strict anti-Jua laws in the 1980s were understood that the legal game was from the current situation to bet.
• Be aware of successes in the field: Rose's unique status as a HIT leader for all times in baseball and his role as a major player in the Big Red Machine Dynasty.
• This decision also allows for the consideration of other dead players who were banned for life, the most famous of whom is "Shoeless" Joe Jackson.

The move has started a new round of discussion. Are the baseball writers going to vote for Rose now? It's not just about his gambling; it's also about whether the Hall of Fame can balance its historical purpose with the way the sport is run today.

Cooperstown’s Crossroads

The Hall of Fame's goal is to honour baseball's greats, but many people have always thought that Rose's absence was a big mistake. He broke the trust of others, but the punishment seemed too harsh, especially since the league is now working with every major online betting site. The league's decision puts the Hall of Fame in a tough spot. Rose can now be named now, but they will need their own vote from one of the baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) or experienced selection.

This historical statement is a significant twist for the game, no matter what happens to peat rose induction in formulated. Major League baseball is ready to go beyond its most painful problems and go into the new era of sports and entertainment.

For our website, this news is as big as it gets.

In a shocking announcement, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred removed Pete Rose, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, and the rest of the banned 1919 Chicago White Sox players from the permanently ineligible list.  This would presumably mean that Rose and Jackson could find their way into Cooperstown one day.

First, let’s recall how we arrived at this point.

In 1921, Commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis banned Chick Gandil, Eddie Cicotte, Happy Felsh, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, Fred McMullin, Swede Risberg, Buck Weaver, and Lefty Williams for their alleged participation in throwing the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds.  Among the eight players, Jackson was considered the best and had already amassed a career that was Hall of Fame worthy.  He professed his innocence until he died in 1951, and to support that, Jackson had a .956 OPS in the Series.

Rose was banned by Commissioner Bart Giamatti in 1989 following the finding that he bet on MLB games, including those of the team he managed, the Cincinnati Reds.  Rose pleaded his innocence for years, until he eventually came clean, though that coincided with the release of his autobiography.  The Hall then proceeded to ban him, though he did receive write-in ballots for the first three years, which was also banned afterward.

The Baseball Hall of Fame operates separately from Major League Baseball.  Jackson was on the inaugural 1936 ballot and again in 1946, but the Hall decided not to induct him after that.  Jackson’s enemies are long dead, but the detractors of Rose could be part of a Veteran’s Ballot.  Both could appear as early as 2027 as one or two names in the Classic Baseball Era Committee.

Joe Gedeon, Gene Paulette, Benny Kauff, Lee Magee, Phil Douglas, Cozy Dolan, Jimmy O’Connell, and William Cox were also reinstated.  All those impacted are deceased.

Both Rose and Jackson are top ten candidates in our Notinhalloffame Baseball list, and with hell freezing over, Cooperstown might see some early climate change.

Baseball's Hall of Fame is a prestigious honor that many players aspire to, yet not all deserving athletes receive this recognition. This article explores the implications of these exclusions on the sport and its history.

The Hall of Fame serves as a testament to the achievements of baseball's greatest players, but the selection process often leaves out individuals who have made significant contributions to the game. As the sport evolves, so do the criteria for induction, leading to debates over who truly deserves a place in Cooperstown. Modern trends in sports culture, such as the rise of digital platforms, highlight how the game continues to engage new audiences, ensuring its legacy endures. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for appreciating the broader impact of Hall of Fame exclusions. Additionally, platforms like vegasslotsonline no deposit bonus offer fans new ways to interact with the sport, further enriching the experience.

Notable players who remain unrecognized

Several baseball legends have yet to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, despite their impressive careers. Lou Whitaker, for example, is often cited as a player whose contributions have been overlooked. His consistent performance and leadership on the field are comparable to those of many inducted players, yet he remains outside the Hall. This exclusion raises questions about the criteria used for selection and whether they adequately reflect a player's impact on the sport.

Examining the careers of these overlooked players reveals a pattern of undervaluing certain achievements. While statistics play a significant role in the selection process, intangible qualities such as leadership and clutch performance are often harder to quantify. These elements, however, are crucial to a player's legacy and should be considered alongside traditional metrics. Recognizing these players would enrich the narrative of baseball history, ensuring a more comprehensive representation of the sport's diverse talents.

The debate over these exclusions underscores the need for a more inclusive approach to Hall of Fame selections. By acknowledging the varied paths to greatness, the Hall can honor a broader spectrum of contributions, enhancing its role as a custodian of baseball's rich history.

Complexities of the Hall of Fame voting process

The Hall of Fame voting process is complex and often criticized for its lack of transparency. Voters weigh factors such as career longevity, peak performance, and personal accolades differently, leading to inconsistencies in selections. While statistical achievements are crucial, other elements like character and sportsmanship also influence decisions, adding layers of complexity to the process.

Understanding the intricacies of this process is essential for appreciating the challenges faced by voters. Eligibility criteria, including waiting periods post-retirement and vote thresholds, are just the beginning. A player's induction can hinge on broader narratives shaped by media and public sentiment, which can vary over time. Critics argue for more standardized metrics to ensure fairness and transparency, allowing for a more equitable evaluation of candidates.

Reforming the voting process could provide a clearer pathway for deserving athletes, acknowledging the evolving nature of baseball analytics and appreciation. Until then, the debate over who deserves a place in the Hall of Fame continues to engage fans and experts alike, highlighting the passion and complexity inherent in preserving the sport's legacy.

Modern sports culture and its influence

Digital platforms have transformed how fans engage with baseball, offering new ways to explore the sport's history and its legendary figures. Websites and promotions, such as those found on online gaming platforms, capture the attention of new generations by integrating interactive elements into traditional sports narratives. These platforms provide fans with diverse ways to experience baseball beyond attending games or watching broadcasts.

The accessibility of information through online channels has democratized access to detailed statistics, player biographies, and historical contexts. This fosters a deeper appreciation for both current stars and unsung heroes who might have been sidelined by mainstream narratives. Social media further amplifies voices advocating for the inclusion of underappreciated athletes in esteemed circles like the Hall of Fame.

As technology bridges gaps between eras, it champions comprehensive representation within beloved sports institutions. This modern engagement ensures that baseball's legacy continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, preserving its rich history for future generations.

We are diligently working away at Notinhalloffame on revising our Baseball and Football lists to reflect the winter’s respective classes.

As such, we are pleased to announce that we have revised 281-300 on the NIHOF Baseball list.

This concludes this year’s revision.

Those ranked are:

#281. Ian Kinsler
#282. Jim Sundberg
#283. Darrell Porter
#284. Lindy McDaniel
#285. Edwin Encarnacion
#286. Preacher Roe
#287. Dom DiMaggio
#288. George Gore
#289. Javier Vasquez
#290. Hank Gowdy
#291. Brad Radke
#292. Milt Pappas
#293. Derrek Lee
#294. Bill Hutchinson
#295. Larry Gardner
#296. David Justice
#297. Dan Haren
#298. Placido Polanco
#299. Brian Downing
#300. Curt Simmons

The current (and under construction) list is here.

Look for more updates soon!

Thank you all for your support of Notinhalloffame.com.

We are diligently working away at Notinhalloffame on revising our Baseball and Football lists to reflect the winter’s respective classes. 

As such, we are pleased to announce that we have revised 261-280 on the NIHOF Baseball list.

Those ranked are:

#261. Jose Reyes
#262. Chris Carpenter
#263. Toby Harrah
#264. Lenny Dykstra
#265. Frank White
#266. Willie McGee
#267. Deacon Phillippe
#268. Red Lucas
#269. Mike Tieran
#270. Jim Gilliam
#271. Adrian Gonzalez
#272. Jose Rijo
#273. Fred Tenney
#274. Theodore Breitenstein
#275. Eddie Stanky
#276. Devon White
#277. Roy White
#278. Moises Alou
#279. Andy Messersmith
#280. Hardy Richardson

The current (and under construction) list is here.

Look for more updates soon!

Thank you all for your support of Notinhalloffame.com.

We are diligently working away at Notinhalloffame on revising our Baseball and Football lists to reflect the winter’s respective classes.

As such, we are pleased to announce that we have revised 241-260 on the NIHOF Baseball list.

Those ranked are:

#241. Frank Viola
#242. Jim Perry
#243. Chuck Knoblauch
#244. Jack Powell
#245. Charlie Root
#246. Joe Judge
#247. Bill White
#248. Mort Cooper
#249. Ken Williams
#250. Bob Welch
#251. Chet Lemon
#252. Mel Stottlemyre
#253. Larry French
#254. Paul O’Neill
#255. Amos Otis
#256. Ed Morris
#257. George Scott
#258. Ken Singleton
#259. Jon Matlack
#260. Herman Long

The current (and under construction) list is here.

Look for more updates soon!

Thank you all for your support of Notinhalloffame.com.

We are diligently working away at Notinhalloffame on revising our Baseball and Football lists to reflect the winter’s respective classes.

As such, we are pleased to announce that we have revised 221-240 on the NIHOF Baseball list.

Those ranked are:

#221. Mark Belanger
#222. Eddie Rommell
#223. Bob Friend
#224. Jimmy Ryan
#225. Harvey Haddix
#226. Babe Herman
#227. Al Orth
#228. Tony Phillips
#229. Magglio Ordonez
#230. Tommy Henrich
#231. Dick Groat
#232. Art Fletcher
#233. Rudy York
#234. Nap Rucker
#235. Guy Hecker
#236. Will White
#237. Harry Breechen
#238. Davey Lopes
#239. Pedro Guerrero
#240. Ed Konetchy 

The current (and under construction) list is here.

Look for more updates soon!

Thank you all for your support of Notinhalloffame.com.

We are diligently working away at Notinhalloffame on revising our Baseball and Football lists to reflect the winter’s respective classes. 

As such, we are pleased to announce that we have revised 201-220 on the NIHOF Baseball list.

Those ranked are:

#201. Lefty O’Doul
#202. Brian Giles
#203. John Franco
#204. Jose Bautista
#205. Claude Passeau
#206. Kenny Rogers
#207. Tony Fernandez
#208. Wally Berger
#209. Bobby Schantz
#210. Jack Fournier
#211. Cy Williams
#212. Jack Stivetts
#213. Ellis Burks
#214. George Mullin
#215. Del Pratt
#216. Steve Rogers
#217. Cecil Cooper
#218. Lave Cross
#219. Roger Peckinpaugh
#220. Gil McDougald 

The current (and under construction) list is here.

Look for more updates soon! 

Thank you all for your support of Notinhalloffame.com.

We are diligently working away at Notinhalloffame on revising our Baseball and Football lists to reflect the winter’s respective classes.

As such, we are pleased to announce that we have revised 161-180 on the NIHOF Baseball list.

Those ranked are:

#161. David Wells
#162. Larry Jackson
#163. Lew Burette
#164. Ted Kluszewski
#165. Matt Williams
#166. Schoolboy Rowe
#167. Smoky Joe Wood
#168. Darryl Strawberry
#169. Brett Butler
#170. Harry Davis
#171. Phil Cavarratta
#172. Bobo Newsom
#173. Mickey Vernon
#174. Jose Canseco
#175. Gavvy Cravath
#176. Frank McCormick
#177. Noodles Hahn
#178. Jim Frogs
#179. Doc White
#180. Charlie Keller 

The current (and under construction) list is here 

Look for more updates soon!

Thank you all for your support of Notinhalloffame.com.

We are diligently working away at Notinhalloffame on revising our Baseball and Football lists to reflect the winter’s respective classes.

As such, we are pleased to announce that we have revised 181-200 on the NIHOF Baseball list.

Those ranked are:

#181. Dutch Leonard
#182. Bob Shawkey
#183. Jim Whitney
#184. Andres Gallaraga
#185. Dixie Walker
#186. Gene Tenace
#187. Willie Wilson
#188. Buddy Myer
#189. Jake Daubert
#190. Lon Warneke
#191. Paul Derringer
#192. Wally Schang
#193. Jesse Tannehill
#194. Robin Ventura
#195. Virgil Trucks
#196. Bill Madlock
#197. Bill Nicholson
#198. Al Rosen
#199. Kevin Appier
#200. Sparky Lyle 

The current (and under construction) list is here 

Look for more updates soon!

Thank you all for your support of Notinhalloffame.com.

We are diligently working away at Notinhalloffame on revising our Baseball and Football lists to reflect the winter’s respective classes. 

As such, we are pleased to announce that we have revised 141-160 on the NIHOF Baseball list.

Those ranked are:

#141. Jamie Moyer
#142. Al Dark
#143. Mel Harder
#144. Sam McDowell
#145. Camilo Pascual
#146. Silver King
#147. Nomar Garciaparra
#148. Jose Cruz
#149. Dizzy Trout
#150. Jorge Posada
#151. Mark Langston
#152. Wilbur Wood
#153. Hippo Vaughn
#154. Bobby Veach
#155. Jimmy Sheckard
#156. Elston Howard
#157. Mark Grace
#158. Jason Giambi
#159. Jimmy Key
#160. Dolph Camilli 

The current (and under construction) list is here.

Look for more updates soon!

Thank you all for your support of Notinhalloffame.com.

We are diligently working away at Notinhalloffame on revising our Baseball and Football lists to reflect the winter’s respective classes.

As such, we are pleased to announce that we have revised 121-140 on the NIHOF Baseball list.

Those ranked are:

#121. Fernando Valenzuela
#122. Bob Elliott
#123. Eddie Cocotte
#124. Dolf Luque
#125. Rocky Colavito
#126. Pete Browning
#127. Luis Gonzalez
#128. Cupid Childs
#129. Roy Oswalt
#130. Ron Cey
#131. Johnny Sain
#132. Firpo Marberry
#133. Vern Stephens
#134. George Uhle
#135. Cliff Lee
#136. Johnny Damon
#137. Willie Davis
#138. Cesar Cedeno
#139. Dennis Martinez
#140. Tommy Bridges

The current (and under construction) list is here.

Look for more updates soon!

Thank you all for your support of Notinhalloffame.com.

We are diligently working away at Notinhalloffame on revising our Baseball and Football lists to reflect the winter’s respective classes.

As such, we are pleased to announce that we have revised 81-100 on the NIHOF Baseball list.

Those ranked are:

#81. Norm Cash
#82. Urban Shocker
#83. Jack Glasscock
#84. Carlos Delgado
#85. Bobby Matthews
#86. Mickey Lolich
#87. Babe Adams
#88. Tommy Bond
#89. Fred Lynn
#90. David Wright
#91. Don Newcombe
#92. Dwight Gooden
#93. Torii Hunter
#94. Tommy Leach
#95. John Olerud
#96. Boog Powell
#97. Wilbur Cooper
#98. Bob Johnson
#99. Julio Franco
#100. Dan Quisenberry

The current (and under construction) list is here.

Look for more updates soon!

Thank you all for your support of Notinhalloffame.com.