If you thought the 2021 Hall of Fame election was a controversial debate about statistics, character and PED, wait until Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz join next year. Not only will it be the first chance for writers to sing Rodriguez and Ortiz, but it will be the last time on the ballot for Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Curt Schilling (although Schilling asked to be removed from his last year on the ballot ) and Sammy Sosa.
While Bonds and Clemens have seen their turnout rise in recent years, BBWAA has failed to choose them, despite their position as two of the best players in the game’s history. Sosa, who hit 609 rounds at home, didn’t even eliminate 20%. Schilling, with 216 wins and his record as one of the greatest postseason players of all time, got the highest number of votes of any year this year, but it fell short – no doubt in part. , on his controversial behavior on social media.
Now, Rodriguez and Ortiz will join the fight, which will make the 2022 vote the most difficult yet to clarify where we are going anyway.