2015 Baseball Hall of Fame: A look at the ballot

With a new year comes a new chance for former players to gain entrance into the hall of baseball immortality. The Baseball Writer’s Association of America named 34 players to the 2015 ballot, 17 of them being first time contenders. Writers are limited to a maximum of only 10 votes per year, and with the surplus amount of talent on this year’s ballot, we can only hope for them to get it right.

First, here’s a look at the holdovers from years’ past.

Sep 29, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets former catcher

acknowledges the fans during his induction into the Mets Hall of Fame prior to the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Piazza

Mike Piazza returns to the Hall of Fame ballot in 2015 for the third year in a row. The best-hitting catcher the game has ever known, he missed out on a golden ticket to the hall last year with a 62.2 percent of the vote.  With 427 career home runs, a record 396 as a catcher, a .308 BA and 1,335 RBI, Piazza is a 12-time All Star that has unfortunately often been overshadowed by the era in which he played.

Previous denial for entrance into the Hall can be blamed on the Steroid Era and the constant assumption that Piazza took part in PED use. There is no evidence of him doing so but baseball writers are hesitant to allow entrance to players of the era. His vote count climbed 4.4 percent from 2013 to 2014, meaning it may not be long until he reaches the needed 75 percent. Whether that will be this year or not is uncertain.

Apr 1, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros former players

(left) and

(right) wave to the crowd before a game against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Craig Biggio

The all-time hit list place holder (3,060) was just two votes shy of entrance to Cooperstown last year. He also racked up 414 stolen bases in a 20-year career, and ended last year with an agonizingly close 74.9 percent of the vote. He posted worthy numbers through 10,876 at-bats: 3,060 hits, over 1,800 runs, nearly 1,200 RBI and an .800 OPS.

Another Hall-worthy note: Biggio was never suspected of PED usage. Craig Goldstein of SB Nation noted:

“One of the best things he has going for him though is the complete and utter lack of suspicion of PED usage. In an environment in which his teammate, Jeff Bagwell … is retroactively punished, Biggio’s purity stands out. He may gain some votes on the pure fact that he’s not associated with performance enhancers as voters seek to moralize and castigate while they can.”

Steven Senne, AP

Jeff Bagwell

Bagwell holds a career .948 OPS – which is higher than Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb and Willie Mays. He was listed on the National League’s top 10 OPS list seven times and hit at least 30 homers and drove in over 100 runs in six straight seasons. Bagwell was a longtime teammate of Biggio in Houston.

The four-time All Star has never amassed 60 percent of the vote, but is returning to the ballot for the fifth time.

– Otto Greule Jr., Getty Images

Tim Raines

Raines is the fifth-place holder on the list of most stolen bases at a career 808. He’s also a seven-time All Star with a career that spanned 23 seasons and six different teams. Raines retired as a career .294/.385/.425 (123 OPS+) hitter with 2,605 hits, 430 doubles, 113 triples, 170 homers, 980 RBI and 808 steals, finishing just ahead of another Hall of Famer from the same era: Tony Gwynn.

Jul 30, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox former pitcher

waves to the crowd during pre game ceremonies against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Roger Clemens

Clemens earned many titles throughout his career. He’s a seven-time Cy Young Award winner, 11-time All Star, 1986 MVP with 354 career wins and 3.12 ERA. He returns to the ballot for the third year in a row. Clemens was noted for being the best pitcher of his era: The Steroid Era.

His hall entry is also affected by PED usage, even though his mound numbers are proven to be worthy.

Oct 31, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants former player

waves to the crowd during the World Series victory parade on Market Street. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Barry Bonds

Numbers-wise, Bonds is the best hitter since Babe Ruth – maybe even better. Holds MLB records for most single-season home runs (73) and overall homers (762). He is a 14-time All Star with a career .298 batting average who also returns to the ballot for a third year, even though he is dubbed the face of the Steroid Era. He has seven MVP awards, 13 30+ home run seasons and is third all-time with 1,996 runs batted in (behind Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth and Cap Anson).

Though he never tested positive for steroids during his career, his involvement in the BALCO scandal essentially landed him in a less-than-savory situation. He may have admirers out there, but entrance into baseball’s hallowed Hall seems unlikely, to say the least.

Lee Arthur Smith (Getty Images)

Lee Smith

Smith lead the majors in saves four separate times and finished his career as leader in saves at 478. He pitched during a time in baseball that the closer position was not nearly as evolved as it is now and frequented relievers pitched at any time. He pitched 90 to 100 innings per year, which didn’t allow him to reach as many saves as he possibly could.

He was one of the top 25 most valued pitchers from 1982 to 1990, when he pitched 80 or so innings per year.

Jun 6, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners former designated hitter

prior to the game against the New York Yankees at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Edgar Martinez

The Mariners legend was a seven-time All Star with five Silver Slugger awards and a career .318 average through 18 seasons. He ranks in the top 100 all-time in batting average (92nd), on-base percentage (20th), slugging percentage (70th), OPS (33rd), offensive WAR (68th) and WAR among position players (75th).

Martinez returns to the ballot for a sixth year and could become the first designated hitter elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame

Aug 2, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies wall of fame inductee

waves to fans as he is driven around the ballpark prior to the game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Curt Schilling

The right-hander is a two-time World Series Champion and 2001 World Series MVP with only 216 career wins. Though he was short of the 300 mark, 200 wins should suffice as Hall of Fame material. He was a key component to four teams and had an 11-2 record and 2.23 ERA in 19 postseason appearances.

Schilling had three 20 win seasons, leading the league twice, and only had one season where he recorded below 120 ERA+. He also lead the league four different times in complete games.

His most famous game would be Game Six of the 2004 World Series, where he played on an injured ankle (the bloody sock) and won the game for the Red Sox forcing Game 7 against the Yankees.

Aug 24, 2014; South Williamsport, PA, USA; Former MLB pitcher

(left) is honored prior to the game between the Asia-Pacific Region and the Great Lakes Region at Howard J. Lamade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Mussina

In the American League East, Mussina pitched 18 full seasons at 270-153 with a 3.68 ERA (123 ERA-plus), 1.19 WHIP and 2813 strikeouts in 3,562 2/3 innings. He won seven Gold Glove Awards and was a six-time All-Star who finished in the top five in AL Cy Young voting six times.

In eight different seasons, he won at least 17 games. He was decent in the postseason with a 7-8 record and 3.42 ERA through 139 innings. There were at least 10 years where Mussina was one of the top 10 pitchers in all of baseball.

Feb. 24, 2013; Mesa, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants former player

signs autographs for fans prior to the game against the Chicago Cubs at Hohokam Park. The Cubs won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Kent

Jeff Kent was an excellent hitter. He finished his career at .290/.356/.500 (123 OPS+) with 377 homers, 2,461 hits, 1,518 RBI and 1,320 runs scored. Kent also managed five All Star appearances, four Silver Sluggers and an NL MVP Award. Three hundred and fifty-one of his homers came as a second baseman, which is the all-time record for the position.

Kent wasn’t much of a gloveman; according to JAWS, the longtime San Francisco Giants’ mainstay falls short of established Hall of Fame standards for second basemen.  He does so on a career basis and a peak-seasons basis.

February 22, 2013; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves special instructor

(27) during spring training against the Detroit Tigers at Disney Wide World of Sports complex, Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Fred McGriff

McGriff was a five-time All Star who finished out 1989 leading in home runs, OPS and OPS+. He also recorded the most home runs in 1992, but finished his career at 493. He more than likely could have passed the 500 mark, had it not been for the player’s strike from 1994 to 1995, which he took part in.

McGriff has already been on the ballot five times with his highest percentage being 23.9. His count fell to 11.7 percent last year. He has the numbers to get into the Hall, but to do so his biggest obstacle to over come would be this year’s overcrowded ballot.

Aug 26, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers hitting coach

against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Mark McGwire

McGwire is one of the best hitters the league has ever seen. A 12-time All Star who lead the league in 1987 (49), 1996 (52), 1998 (70) and 1999 (65) in homers, he was the first hitter to ever reach 70 home runs in a season. Among the list of players with over 3,000 plate appearances, he is the only one to have fewest at-bats per home run (10.61). Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds come in second and third, respectively, on that list.

McGwire never won an MVP Award, but finished top five in voting three times. He also has a World Series ring and three trips to the Fall Classic. He’s also admitted to PED usage during his playing career.

Mar 29, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN;

(33) is introduced during the ceremony for the 1994 Expos before the game between the New York Mets and the Toronto Blue Jays at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Larry Walker

Walker returns to the ballot for a fifth year, holding over 2,000 career hits and five All Star appearances. He was an excellent defender, finishing his career with a .313/.400/.565 line and 141 OPS+. Walker won the 1997 NL MVP, took home seven Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers. Two times, he led the NL in OPS and in batting average three times.

The only case against Walker would be his that he spent most of his career with the Rockies, which means most of his time was spent at hitter-friendly Coors Field. There were only four seasons that Walker participated in 140 or more games, and five seasons that he appeared in 100 or fewer. His durability as a player weakens his case to gain votes.

Sep 9, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager

reacts during the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Don Mattingly

The six-time All Star is now in his final year on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot. The 1984 American League batting champ (.343) and 1985 AL MVP finshed with an OPS+ of 127, 2,153 hits and 222 homers in 7,772 plate appearances.

Mattingly was a Hall of Fame caliber player, but prematurely declined after suffering a back injury. That injury and lack of durability in the second half of Mattingly’s career left him off the top 200 of all-time key hall of fame factors.

(Getty Images)

Sammy Sosa

The number seven position on list of most home runs with 608 is held by Slammin’ Sammy. He was also a seven-time All Star, dubbed National League MVP in 1998 and he retired in 2007 after an 18-year career. 

He retired a .273/.344/.534 (128 OPS+) hitter with 609 home runs and 1,667 RBI. Sosa never saw World Series playm but he did see the postseason twice. Sosa is the quickest National League player in history to 300 homers (1,052 games), 400 homers (1,354 games) and 500 homers (1,651 games). He also hit the most home runs in a five, six, seven, eight, nine and 10-year span in history.

His entry to the Baseball Hall of Fame also rests in the hands of those who believe he used PED’s. Supposedly, Sosa failed a drug test in 2003, but his name was never  publicly released.

Dec 8, 2014; San Deigo, CA, USA; Baseball Hall of Fame chairman Jane Forbes Clark (left) speaks to media as Oakland Athletics former player

looks on during MLB Winter Meetings at Manchester Grand Hyatt. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Now that you’re a little more familiar with some of the holdovers from recent seasons, let’s take a look at the likes of the rookies on the ballot, starting with a man who made history in pinstripes and remains loathed by Red Sox Nation.

Mar 23, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees hat, glove and sunglasses lay in dugout against the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Boone

Undoubtedly, the highlight of Boone’s career was his entrance as a pinch hitter in Game Seven of the 2003 ALCS.

His walk-off home run off Boston Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield in the 11th inning sent the Yankees on to the Fall Classic. Boone had a 12-year career that spanned across six different teams, spending nearly six years with the Cincinnati Reds. Besides his moment of postseason glory in 2003, Boone entered retirement with a .263/.326/.425 line. Not much of a memorable career.

Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Tony Clark

Clark was the second pick in the 1990 draft, right after Chipper Jones. However he never saw major league play until 1995. His career included a .262/.339/.485 line through 15 years, 1,559 games, 1,188 hits, 251 homers and 824 RBI.

The 2001 All-Star is 13th on the all-time home runs list for switch-hitters, going yard from both sides of the plate in a single game 10 times.

April 14, 2008 – Source: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images North America

Rich Aurilia

The grand entrance of this .275/.328/.433 hitter to the Hall is most unlikely. Aurilia was a good player, with one near-perfect season as the National League hit leader (206), 37 home runs and a .324 average. However, one out of 15 years does not (should not) be the means to an induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Aurilia may get some votes his first year on the ballot, but almost guaranteed, he will not get enough to enter.

Jun 8, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays former player

poses with Toronto Blue Jays shortstop

(7) before a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Rogers Centre. The St. Louis Cardinals won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Delgado

The 17-year veteran was only a two time All-Star, despite recording 473 home runs and 1,512 RBI. He lead the National League in RBIs in 2003 and posted a .280/.383/.546 line at his retirement.

He has more home runs than Carl Yastrzemski and more RBI’s than Mickey Mantle. Had Delgado’s career not plummeted in 2009 (his age 37 season), it’s more than possible that he could have reached the 500-homer mark.

Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

Jermaine Dye

From 2005 to 2009, Dye ranked first in American League outfielders in homers and second in RBI. He was .274/.338/.488 with a .826 OPS and one Gold Glove Award. Dye assisted the White Sox in the Fall Classic in 2005 and earned a World Series MVP title. He spent time with the Braves, A’s, Royals and White Sox in his 14-year career, the most memorable of them being in Chicago.

Aug 27, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A Los Angeles Angels hat and glove lay in the dugout against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Los Angeles Angels defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Darin Erstad

Erstad was the punter for the University of Nebraska football team that won the National Championship in 1994. In the 1995 draft, Erstad was made the number one pick by the then-Anaheim Angels. He received Gold Gloves for both left and center field, as well as first base.

In 2000, he had 240 hits, 25 homers and a .355 average (14.1% of his career total in one season).  That season was the best in his career. He never again had a .300 average, hit 20 homers or managed 180 hits in a season.

Mar 29, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN;

(30) is introduced during the ceremony for the 1994 Expos before the game between the New York Mets and the Toronto Blue Jays at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Cliff Floyd

Floyd’s 17-year career was mostly successful, but he failed to stay healthy through an extended period of time. He found himself on the disabled list 13 times limiting him to four seasons of more than 121 games.

His best year was with the Marlins in 2001, when he hit .317/390/.578 with 44 doubles, 31 homers, 18 stolen bases, 123 runs and 103 RBI. He appeared in the 2001 All Star Game and holds an .840 OPS and 233 home runs in his career.

Jun 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers former player

before the game against the Cleveland Indians at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Nomar Garciaparra

Garciaparra, among shortstops with 5,000 plate appearences, has the highest OPS.  Combining his 1997 through 2000 seasons, he hit .337, averaged 28 homers, 110 runs, 105 RBI and a .577 slugging percentage. An injury ruined 2001 for the middle infielder, but he came back to hit 56 doubles in 2002.

A six time All-Star and Silver Slugger Award winner, Garciaparra finished his 14-year career at .313./.361/.551.

Credit: Yahoo Sports

Brian Giles

Brian Giles was a notable player who was able to get on base. He was walked 100-plus five times in his career and has a lifetime .400 on-base percentage. The two-time All Star led the National League in walks (119) in 2005 and has a career .902 OPS.

2002 brought about a .450 on-base percentage for Giles and .622 slugging. He put up phenomenal numbers and was one of the few players to do so since the 1994 strike. Entering the Hall will be unlikely, however, and it would be surprising if he earned more than one vote.

Feb 12, 2014; Clearwater, FL, USA; A general view of a Philadelphia Phillies hat and glove on the grass at Bright House Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Gordon

Gordon is one of 14 pitchers who have both won and saved 100 games. He began his career a starter, winning 17 games as a rookie and notching double-digit wins six times.

He was traded to Boston and became a reliever, having a successful season in 1988. He led the American League with 46 saves and received some MVP votes.  In all, he had 158 saves during his big league career.

May 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA;

throws out the first pitch at Chase Field to honor the 10th anniversary of his perfect game against the Atlanta Braves. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Randy Johnson

Johnson was the commander of a incredible slider and a top notch flame thrower. He stood 6-foot-10 earning the nickname “Big Unit”.

The Unit won five Cy Young awards and is second on MLB’s all-time strikeouts list at 4,875. 14 times, he logged 200 innings and at least seven times he logged upwards of 240 frames. He began to decline from 35 to 40, averaging 232 innings per season, striking out more than five times the amount of batter that he walked and pitching an ERA+ of 175.

He was the World Series MVP in 2001 and finished with a 303-166 won-loss record.

May 20, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher former pitcher

shows his World Series rings prior to a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Pedro Martinez

Martinez managed a 213-100 won-loss record and had a lifetime WHIP of 1.054. Martinez was 26 when he was traded to Boston from Montreal in 1998.

The year before the deal, he won his first Cy Young Award with the Expos. The following seven years in Boston were the ranked among the best of any pitcher in baseball history. He had back-to-back (1999, 2000) Cy Young Awards and a World Series title in 2004.

With a career ERA of 2.93, he made eight All Star game appearances and lead the MLB in earned run average five times.

Getty Images

Troy Percival

Percival is one of the hardest-throwing pitchers to play baseball. The four-time All Star had 358 saves in eight seasons. In 2002, he was a World Series Champion with the Anaheim Angels with a  4-1, 1.92 ERA with 40 saves and 68 strikeouts.

Percival never had a list-topping record, and if it hadn’t been for a few months out on injury, his chances on making the Baseball Hall of Fame would be much greater.

Dec 8, 2014; San Deigo, CA, USA; Atlanta Braves former pitcher

(left) during MLB Winter Meetings at Manchester Grand Hyatt. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

John Smoltz

Smoltz is the only pitcher in MLB history with more than 200 wins and 100 saves. He had at least 14 wins 10 times in his career. He won a Cy Young Award in 1996, placed in the top-10 in Cy Young voting four other times, eight All Star appearances and a Silver Slugger for being the best hitting pitcher.

He led the league with 55 saves in 2002, managing 154 saves in under three-andd-a-half seasons before returning to a starter role in 2005.

Noah K. Murray/The Star-Ledger

Gary Sheffield

Sheffield wasn’t a Hall of Famer defensively, but his offensive numbers claim that he is.  His offensive WAR is the same as Frank Thomas and other Hall of Famers but Fangraphs notes that he cost his team nearly 205 runs.

The 22-year veteran ended his playing days with 509 career home runs and a batting title, plus nine All-Star appearances. He also admitted ties to BALCO, but said he was unaware it was illegal.

If anything keeps him out of the hall, it would be PED connections.