MLB writers are notorious for being sticklers when casting their ballots for Hall of Fame inductees. This year in particular, a certain former Met is getting learning that lesson. Carlos Beltrán made his debut on the Hall of Fame ballot at the end of the 2022 MLB season. The former Met retired in 2017 and appeared to be a no-doubt Hall of Famer. Beltrán finished his career with 435 home runs,...
Sixty-two Hall of Fame ballots have been publicly released, kept track by Ryan Thibodaux and the Hall of Fame Ballot Tracker team. Among those early returns we’ve seen increased love for Todd Helton (+11 votes), Andruw Jones (+11), Jeff Kent (+12), Gary Sheffield (+13), and Billy Wagner (+12). These returning members are trending toward higher voting percentage than last year but only two,...
This offseason, we’re looking at the Mets’ history with free agency. The list has included several pitchers, and next up is our first relief pitcher — one of the best of his era. The closer experiment in New York Mets history has frequently failed. Beginning in 2006, it didn’t. Billy Wagner signed a four-year, $43 million contract in November 2005 and continued a successful...
Over the last thirty-plus years, baseball has witnessed some of the most dominating back-end relievers to ever play the game. With closers taking a more predominant role during that span, the number of relievers to be considered for enshrinement into Cooperstown will continue to be discussed and considered among the BBWAA for years to come. Two such relievers appear on the ballot this winter,...
