Philly Leader

The Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) announced the results for the 2025 Hall of Fame ballot on Tuesday, with Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner earning induction. The trio exemplifies different paths to Cooperstown: Suzuki and Sabathia were first-ballot inductees, while Wagner required all ten years of eligibility.

Wagner's journey saw a significant turnaround. He initially received only 10.5% of votes in 2016 but eventually rose to 82.5%. This marks one of the lowest initial percentages for an eventual BBWAA selection.

In total, ten candidates fell off the ballot this year, while fifteen will return in 2026. Notable first-time eligible players next year include Cole Hamels, Ryan Braun, and Alex Gordon.

Among returning candidates, Carlos Beltrán is trending toward induction with a vote percentage increase to 70.3% in his third year on the ballot. "Beltrán appears to have set himself up nicely to lead the Class of 2026," indicating growing appreciation for his career achievements despite past controversies.

Andruw Jones also shows potential with a rise to 66.2% in his eighth year on the ballot. Although his progress slowed previously, he has regained momentum and may follow Wagner’s path as a final-ballot selection.

Chase Utley increased his vote share by over 11 points to reach 39.8%. His candidacy benefits from comparisons to other Hall of Famers who gradually gained support over time.

Andy Pettitte saw a notable jump to 27.9%, fueled possibly by comparisons with fellow left-hander Sabathia's recent induction. Pettitte still faces challenges but could potentially build on this surge.

Félix Hernández debuted at 20.6%, suggesting potential for future success despite not meeting traditional statistical milestones associated with Hall of Fame careers.

The evolving voter attitudes towards players like Hernández indicate shifting perspectives within baseball’s Hall of Fame voting process.