2025 Baseball Hall of Fame

[Handsome Wes]

*Edited this post on 11/18/2024 to reflect the announcement of the Hall of Fame Ballot*

The official 2025 Hall of Fame Ballot has officially been released.

Ichiro Suzuki is making his debut on the ballot and should be a shoo-in. He also has a legitimate shot at being a unanimous selection.
CC Sabathia will also appear for the first time and will be an interesting case study.
Other notable newcomers include Dustin Pedroia, Felix Hernandez, Troy Tulowitzki, Curtis Granderson, and World Series hero Ben Zobrist.

Full list of newcomers:
Carlos González
Curtis Granderson
Félix Hernández
Adam Jones
Ian Kinsler
Russell Martin
Brian McCann
Dustin Pedroia
Hanley Ramírez
Fernando Rodney
CC Sabathia
Ichiro Suzuki
Troy Tulowitzki
Ben Zobrist

RETURNING PLAYERS:
Billy Wagner (10th year on ballot; 73.8% support)
Andruw Jones (8th; 61.6%)
Carlos Beltran (3rd; 57.1%)
A-Rod (4th; 34.8%)
Manny Ramirez (9th; 32.5)

Other returnees include Chase Utley, Omar Vizquel, Bobby Abreu, Jimmy Rollins, Andy Pettitte, Mark Buehrle, Francisco Rodriguez, Torii Hunter, and David Wright.

The HOF has previously announced the eight finalists for the "Classical Baseball Era" (players whose primary contributions came prior to 1980):

They are:
Dick Allen
Ken Boyer
John Donaldson
Steve Garvey
Vic Harris
Tommy John
Dave Parker
Luis Tiant

They will be voted on by a 16-member committee, who I believe are able to submit up to three votes. A candidate needs 12 votes to secure induction.

Dick Allen missed induction by one vote twice.
Ken Boyer has been a finalist a number of times, topping out at 18.8% of the vote.
Donaldson appeared on the ballot in 2022 and received 50% support.
Steve Garvey's highest VC total was 37.5% in 2020.
Vic Harris appeared on the 2022 ballot and received 62.5% of the vote.
Tommy John has never had enough support to merit a vote total.
Dave Parker rec'd 43.8% of the vote in 2020.
Luis Tiant topped out at 20.3% of the vote in 2009.

Allen probably has the best chance of election (no surprise). FWIW an ungraded rookie card of his (1964 Topps) is going for around $15 - $40 on eBay.

Donaldson has had a surge of popularity in recent years, possibly because of his inclusion in a recent MLB The Show game.

Dave Parker is getting some love online; 7X AS, former NL MVP, 3 GG, 2x batting champion, 2x World Champion (including with the Pirates during their halcyon days of the late 70s). Topps rookie is 1974, and can be had for around $15.

[atk825]

Funny. Was looking at Dick Allen's stat lines and thought it reminded me of Bryce Harper. Scroll down and Harper is second in similarity score. His most common similarity scores by age are David Wright, Chipper Jones and Gary Sheffield. So certainly no slouch. Hope he gets in this time.

[TBTC Baseball]

I wouldn't complain about Allen, Garvey, Parker or Tiant getting added.

Ballot players in order
Ichiro
Jones
Wagner
Sabathia
Hunter

[ottobord]

WAR doesn't like Garvey much not sue why. If I had to pick one of those guys it's Ken Boyer.

[dodgerfanjohn]

Originally Posted by ottobord

WAR doesn't like Garvey much not sue why. If I had to pick one of those guys it's Ken Boyer.

Low OBP.

His OPS was always meh for a 1st baseman. .775 career OPS, highest was .852

I love the guy, but I'm not sure he is a HOF'er.

[Handsome Wes]

Originally Posted by atk825

Funny. Was looking at Dick Allen's stat lines and thought it reminded me of Bryce Harper. Scroll down and Harper is second in similarity score. His most common similarity scores by age are David Wright, Chipper Jones and Gary Sheffield. So certainly no slouch. Hope he gets in this time.

He kinda reminds me of an Albert Belle type (speaking as a 90s kid). Feared ballplayer, bad reputation with the media (and probably teammates as well), etc. It's possible - and theorized - that there was a racial element at play with the hate he got.

One thing I learned later is that one of the most prominent anti-Dick Allen voices was a Philly sportswriter named Bill Conlin. And, uhhhh, let's say Conlin should not be held up as a moral arbiter.

[gmarutiak]

The fact that Dick Allen isn't already in the HoF is ridiculous.

[atk825]

Originally Posted by Handsome Wes

He kinda reminds me of an Albert Belle type (speaking as a 90s kid). Feared ballplayer, bad reputation with the media (and probably teammates as well), etc. It's possible - and theorized - that there was a racial element at play with the hate he got.

One thing I learned later is that one of the most prominent anti-Dick Allen voices was a Philly sportswriter named Bill Conlin. And, uhhhh, let's say Conlin should not be held up as a moral arbiter.

Really feels like some of the "bad attitude" raps placed on black players of that era could use a revisit. Frank Robinson is in, but he had the same rep, but it was usually in response to some pretty overt racism.

[Skipscards]

Frankly, all 9 are fine candidates, but this demonstrates how awful the current Era Committee set up is. There is no logical reason Dave Parker should be considered on the same ballot as John Donaldson. They played 50 years apart. At any rate, I have no issue with any of them going in, but if I were ranking them, I'd rank them this way:

Vic Harris
Dave Parker
Steve Garvey
Tommy John
John Donaldson
Luis Tiant
Ken Boyer
Dick Allen

First, Vic Harris is one of the biggest HOF misses in the last 30 years. He should have gone in back in 2006. He'd be the first Negro Leaguer inducted solely for his performance as a Manager. The fact they have taken this long to recognize a Negro Leaguer for their managerial performance remains, well, I'll paraphrase Ted Williams, "...I hope that someday the name of (Vic Harris) in some way can be added as a symbol, the great Negro (managers) that are not here, only because they were not given a chance." It's long overdue.

After that, I always give deference to the living. Hence, why I put Parker, Garvey, and John next.

I think the choices with the best shot are Harris, Parker, and Tiant. As always, this will depend on who the voters will be. If LaRussa is there, that could help Parker, for example.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by dodgerfanjohn

I love the guy, but I'm not sure he is a HOF'er.

I hate the guy (I'm a Giants fan ), and agree that he's not an HOFer.....

[dodgerfanjohn]

Originally Posted by atk825

Really feels like some of the "bad attitude" raps placed on black players of that era could use a revisit. Frank Robinson is in, but he had the same rep, but it was usually in response to some pretty overt racism.

Reggie Jackson got a horrible rap.

I forget what show he was on, but he was considering selling some of his car collection. He was quiet...like very introverted, respectful, well thought out, and even a bit nerdy.

And then talking on the broadcast this past season about his experiences in the minor leagues in the south....

He did a talk a few years ago in Orange County, CA, with Steve Garvey and now I'm sad I missed it.

Reggie came across as genuine and a decent person. Its utterly at odds with the impression the media left with me of the guy.

[kingchromium24]

Dick Allen
Dave Parker
Vic Harris

Ichiro
Billy Wagner

Honorable Mentions
Luis Tiant
Ken Boyer


Tommy John not making HOF is fine, but definitely need his picture (and the doctor) in there talking about the surgery that has revolutionized the careers for many pitchers--if not already?

[Quake1028]

Ichiro is a mortal first ballot lock. CC gets in but not this time. Wagner finally gets in. Allen gets in by the committee. Not sure if anyone else gets in.

I love King Felix but he's a Hall of Very Good guy.

[JRX]

Originally Posted by Quake1028

Ichiro is a mortal first ballot lock. CC gets in but not this time. Wagner finally gets in. Allen gets in by the committee. Not sure if anyone else gets in.

I think CC gets in first time.

[Quake1028]

I think it's gonna be super close. I just don't feel as good about him as Ichiro obviously.

[awz50]

Originally Posted by Skipscards

Frankly, all 9 are fine candidates, but this demonstrates how awful the current Era Committee set up is. There is no logical reason Dave Parker should be considered on the same ballot as John Donaldson. They played 50 years apart. At any rate, I have no issue with any of them going in, but if I were ranking them, I'd rank them this way:

Vic Harris
Dave Parker
Steve Garvey
Tommy John
John Donaldson
Luis Tiant
Ken Boyer
Dick Allen

First, Vic Harris is one of the biggest HOF misses in the last 30 years. He should have gone in back in 2006. He'd be the first Negro Leaguer inducted solely for his performance as a Manager. The fact they have taken this long to recognize a Negro Leaguer for their managerial performance remains, well, I'll paraphrase Ted Williams, "...I hope that someday the name of (Vic Harris) in some way can be added as a symbol, the great Negro (managers) that are not here, only because they were not given a chance." It's long overdue.

After that, I always give deference to the living. Hence, why I put Parker, Garvey, and John next.

I think the choices with the best shot are Harris, Parker, and Tiant. As always, this will depend on who the voters will be. If LaRussa is there, that could help Parker, for example.

Great post

[atk825]

Originally Posted by Quake1028

I think it's gonna be super close. I just don't feel as good about him as Ichiro obviously.

If he's not first ballot, he probably gets like 65% or something like that, which is all but assuring election.

[RW3FAN]

Originally Posted by Quake1028

Ichiro is a mortal first ballot lock. CC gets in but not this time. Wagner finally gets in. Allen gets in by the committee. Not sure if anyone else gets in.

I love King Felix but he's a Hall of Very Good guy.

Felix was Hall of NO RUN SUPPORT

[DioBrando]

I'd like to see Boyer inducted, but I can't say any of the classical era players scream HOF'er. That said, all are better choices and more worthy of induction than baines was.

[REGGIE206]

I hope Ichiro gets in with a unanimous vote. He definitely deserves it.

[DioBrando]

Originally Posted by REGGIE206

I hope Ichiro gets in with a unanimous vote. He definitely deserves it.

Agreed, Ichiro should receive 100% but likely won't.

[ironfireman]

Originally Posted by JRX

I think CC gets in first time.

CC is 1st ballot. 3,000+ k, Cy Young, and 251 wins

[NYRE2PECT]

Originally Posted by REGGIE206

I hope Ichiro gets in with a unanimous vote. He definitely deserves it.

Originally Posted by ironfireman

CC is 1st ballot. 3,000+ k, Cy Young, and 251 wins

Yes and Yes!

[towerymt]

Originally Posted by ironfireman

CC is 1st ballot. 3,000+ k, Cy Young, and 251 wins

I thought he hit enough career milestones to cruise in first ballot, too.

As a Yankee for sure.

Sabathia was 2nd to Ichiro in the AL ROY in '01. Might be overshadowed once again...probably wouldn't mind though

[itsbaytime]

I would vote for Ichiro, CC, Manny, Arod and Andruw Jones. IDK about the vets vote.