In the most recent National Baseball Hall of Fame voting cycle from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, David Ortiz was the lone player to be inducted. The Boston Red Sox legend became a first-ballot HOFer. The New York Yankees could have seen one of their legends, Alex Rodriguez, make it in as well but he was not selected despite being one of the very best MLB players in the game.
Rodriguez — who played for the Yankees, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers during his 22-year career — told ESPN that he hopes to receive MLB immortality and be elected to the hall, adding that he has no one to blame but himself if he doesn’t get in.
“I hope I get in one day. It would be an incredible honor,” Rodriguez said Wednesday during an online session with reporters ahead of his first ESPN broadcast of the baseball season. “I’d be terribly disappointed if I don’t get in, but if I don’t get in I have no one to blame but myself.”
Because of Rodriguez’s steroid usage and pompous behavior during his playing days, the BBWAA may not look so favorably on him as he continues his time on the ballot. While a player’s entire contributions to MLB being part of his candidacy make sense, Rodriguez’s exploits unfairly overshadow what an unbelievable player he was.
If Hall of Fame voters only voted on the premises of a player’s production and accolades, Rodriguez would be one of the easiest picks ever to induct. The 14-time All-Star hit the fourth-most home runs in MLB and won a championship, three AL MVP Awards and 10 Silver Slugger Awards.
It’s clear that Rodriguez should be inducted. Only time will tell if he actually does.
