Analyzing 2025 Hall of Fame Ballot

It’s mid-to-late November, which means it is time for that annual tradition — analyzing the latest Hall of Fame ballot (no offense to Thanksgiving). So here we go.

The Newcomers:
This year’s slam dunk is Ichiro Suzuki. He should be unanimous; after all, he was able to amass 3,089 hits despite not starting his MLB career until he was 27 years old. He had 200 or more hits in each of his first ten seasons, including a record 262 in 2004. Why are even debating this?!

CC Sabathia is the other big name on the ballot. He won a Cy Young award, along with 251 games. However, his ERA is relatively high at 3.74. He certainly feels like a Hall of Famer, and he almost certainly will be. The question is whether he makes it on the first ballot.

The other first-timers — Dustin Pedroia, Félix Hernández, Carlos González, Curtis Granderson, Adam Jones, Ian Kinsler, Russell Martin, Brian McCann, Hanley Ramirez, Fernando Rodney, Troy Tulowitzki and Ben Zobrist — were all fine ballplayers, but have no chance to get to Cooperstown.

The Leftovers:
Billy Wagner leads the way on his 10th and final year on the ballot. He received 73.8% of the vote last time. Can he garner the extra 1.2% to put him over the top? Voting history says yes.

Andruw Jones makes his 8th appearance. He’s slowly been building momentum.

Will voters still hold the Astros cheating scandal against Carlos Beltran? Probably, but he’s also slowly moving towards eventual induction.

Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins? Who gives a crap?!

PEDs will continue to keep Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez on the outside looking in. Andy Pettitte, too.

There are a few others who have no chance.

Which brings us to our own David Wright. Can he get the necessary 5% to remain on the ballot? He got 6.2% last time. He’ll never get in, but it’s nice to see his name on the ballot.

My prediction — Ichiro, Sabathia, Wagner.