The 2023 Baseball Writers’ Association of America Hall of Fame ballot has been released.
A few former Mets have been added to the ballot while some return as they build off strong showings last year.
This years new additions include: Bronson Arroyo, Carlos Beltrán, Matt Cain, R.A. Dickey, Jacoby Ellsbury, Andre Ethier, J.J. Hardy, John Lackey, Mike Napoli, Jhonny Peralta, Francisco Rodríguez, Houston Street, Jered Weaver and Jayson Werth
Returning to the ballot are: Scott Rolen, Todd Helton, Billy Wagner, Andrew Jones, Gary Sheffield, Alex Rodriguez, Jeff Kent, Manny Ramirez, Omar Vizquel, Andy Pettitte, Jimmy Rollins, Bobby Abreu, Mark Buehrle, and Torii Hunter.
Wagner, Beltran, Dickey, Sheffield, and Francisco Rodriguez represent the former Mets.
Wagner is entering his eighth year on the ballot and received 51.0% of votes to reach the Hall of Fame. Players need 75% of all ballots cast to earn election.
Wagner has seen steady increases in voting percentage. From 2020 to now, Wagner has gained 20% more votes.
Wagner spent four seasons with the Mets, saving 101 games with a 2.37 ERA. His 422 saves ranks second among lefties all time.
Beltran is the likeliest of any candidate on the new list to earn election in his first year, and possibly the only candidate to earn election at all. The outfielder played 20 seasons with the Royals, Astros, Mets, Giants, Cardinals, Yankees, and Rangers. He was a nine-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner and Rookie of the Year.
Beltran is one of four players in history with at least 1,500 runs scored, 2,700 hits, 400 home runs, and 300 steals. Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, and Alex Rodriguez are the others.
It’s unknown what Beltran’s role in the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal will do to his possible Hall of Fame election chances but the counting numbers are there.
Beltran ranks 119th on Baseball Reference’s Hall of Fame monitor on the All-Time Batting leaderboards.
Dickey is a Mets legend. An incredible story or resilience, Dickey was the 2012 Cy Young Award winner with the Mets. Unlikely to make the Hall of Fame, he’ll be immortalized in the hearts of any Mets fan who watched him pitch with the team from 2010-2012.
K-Rod makes his debut. A 16 year veteran, he pitched for the Mets for three seasons, getting 83 of his 437 career saves. He was a one-time All-Star in Queens and a six-time All-Star overall.
Sheffield spent one season with the Mets, his last. If he makes it in, it will likely be as a Marlin.
The inductees will be announced on January 24. Hall of Fame weekend will include the induction ceremony in Cooperstown on July 23.
The Mets gained one member to the Hall last year with Gil Hodges getting inducted. Hopefully, they add another this year.
