The Baseball Hall of Fame voting for 2025, announced on Monday, features 12 newcomers including Cole Hamels, Ryan Braun, and Matt Kemp. Carlos Beltran leads this year’s voting among 15 returning candidates, though he trails by 19 votes. First-time qualifiers also include Howie Kendrick, Daniel Murphy, Rick Porcello, Shin-soo Choo, Edwin Encarnacion, Gio González, Alex Gordon, Nick Markakis, and Hunter Pence.
Beltran earned 277 out of 394 votes (70.3%) in this election, which also included Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner. Over 17 seasons, Beltran, a nine-time All-Star, hit .279 with 435 home runs and 1,587 RBIs, playing for teams like Kansas City, Houston, the Mets, San Francisco, St. Louis, the Yankees, and Texas. He saw his support grow from 46.5% in 2023 to 57.1% in 2024. However, he remains the sole player named in the 2020 Astros sign-stealing scandal report, which led to his dismissal as Mets manager shortly after the report came out.
Other notable players staying on the ballot include Alex Rodriguez (146 votes, 37.1%), Manny Ramirez (135 votes, 34.3%), Andruw Jones (261 votes, 66.2%), Chase Utley (157 votes, 39.8%), Andy Pettitte (110 votes, 27.9%), Felix Hernandez, Bobby Abreu, Jimmy Rollins, Omar Vizquel, Dustin Pedroia, Mark Buehrle, Francisco Rodriguez, David Wright, and Torii Hunter. Pettitte, now on the ballot for the eighth time, has seen his vote percentage double from 13.5% last year, with players eligible for up to 10 years of voting.
BBWAA members with at least 10 years of voting experience can cast their ballots, which must be postmarked by December 31. The results will be released on January 20, with induction into the Hall of Fame set for July 26, alongside the Modern Baseball Era Committee’s selections. This committee considers players who have made significant contributions to baseball since 1980.
Cole Hamels, a four-time All-Star, posted a 163-122 record with a 3.43 ERA during his career with Philadelphia, Texas, Chicago Cubs, and Atlanta, highlighted by a no-hitter in 2015 and earning World Series MVP honors in 2008. Ryan Braun, the 2011 MVP and six-time All-Star, hit .296 with 352 homers mostly for Milwaukee but had suspensions related to baseball’s drug program controversies. Matt Kemp, a three-time All-Star, posted a .284 average with 287 home runs over his time with the , Padres, Braves, Reds, and Rockies.
The Modern Era Committee will consider legendary players such as Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, Carlos Delgado, Jeff Kent, Gary Sheffield, and Fernando Valenzuela for Hall of Fame induction.
Fan Take: This year’s Hall of Fame ballot showcases a dynamic mix of iconic veterans and exciting newcomers, reflecting the evolving history and complexity of baseball. The outcome will not only honor individual excellence but also influence how baseball reconciles its past controversies while celebrating its future.
