MLB Hall of Fame: Breaking down the ballot
By David Hill
There is no greater honor than joining the MLB Hall of Fame. Which players on the ballot will be enshrined this year?
Following the 2017 inductions, there are 317 people that have been inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame. For a player, executive, or anyone who has been around the game, it is the highest honor that one can achieve. It is a place where the greatest of the greats are immortalized, remembered for generations to come.
Last year, five new members were enshrined in Cooperstown. Jeff Bagwell and Tim Raines received their long overdue recognition as two of the greatest players of their time. Ivan Rodriguez, one of the best catchers in the history of the game, was inducted in his first appearance on the ballot. They were joined by John Schuerholz and Bud Selig, selected by the Veteran’s Committee for their roles as executives.
This season, two players have already been inducted. Jack Morris and Alan Trammell, Detroit Tigers teammates that spent 15 years on the BBWAA ballot, finally earned induction through the Veteran’s Committee. If nothing else, we know there will be two players heading to Cooperstown for July 29, 2018.
Right now, 33 former major leaguers are vying for their chance to join Morris and Trammell in immortality. 19 players, headlined by Chipper Jones and Jim Thome, are making their debut on the ballot. They are joining holdovers like Vladimir Guerrero, Barry Bonds, and Roger Clemens, each of whom are hoping that this is the year they get that long awaited call.
Which players will become immortal, enshrined in the MLB Hall of Fame? Let us break down the ballot and look at each case.