The Hall released its ballot Monday.
I’m burying the lede here on purpose because a popular former Cub is on the Hall of Fame ballot. Clearly, Ichiro Suzuki is the top name among newcomers to this year’s ballot. It’s possible, perhaps even likely, that Ichiro could become the second unanimous inductee, following Mariano Rivera.
Let’s stipulate right now: It’s extremely unlikely that Zobrist will ever be elected to the Hall of Fame.
But the 2016 World Series MVP was one of 14 new Hall candidates announced Monday morning in Cooperstown.
Besides Ichiro and Zobrist, other newcomers to the Hall ballot this year are outfielders Carlos González, Curtis Granderson and Adam Jones; infielders Dustin Pedroia, Ian Kinsler, Hanley Ramírez and Troy Tulowitzki; pitchers Félix Hernández, Fernando Rodney and CC Sabathia and catchers Russell Martin and Brian McCann.
Those 14 will join 14 holdovers from last year’s ballot: Pitchers Mark Buehrle, Andy Pettitte, Francisco Rodríguez and Billy Wagner; infielders David Wright, Jimmy Rollins, Álex Rodríguez, Chase Utley and Omar Vizquel; and outfielders Bobby Abreu, Carlos Beltrán, Torii Hunter, Andruw Jones and Manny Ramírez. This will be Wagner’s last year on the ballot. Last year he got 73.8 percent of the vote and fell short of induction by just five votes. Wagner is one of the greatest relievers in MLB history and I hope he gets elected this time.
BBWAA voters must return ballots postmarked by Dec. 31. Votes will be counted jointly by BBWAA secretary-treasurer Jack O’Connell and Ernst & Young partner Mark Moran and the results will be announced by Hall of Fame president Josh Rawitch at 5 p.m. CT Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, live on MLB Network.
As for Zobrist, while he didn’t really have a Hall-worthy career, his numbers are still impressive: .266/.357/.426 with 1,567 hits, 114 home runs and 116 stolen bases in a 14-year career with the Rays, A’s, Royals and Cubs. That was worth 44.5 bWAR. He was a three-time All-Star, played in three World Series and won two rings (also with the Royals in 2015) and, of course, that World Series MVP in 2016.
We will always remember this hit: