Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia are among 14 newcomers on the Hall of Fame ballot released Monday, enriching the lineup of candidates. They join 14 returning players, with reliever Billy Wagner leading the holdover group.
The ballot features notable newcomers, including pitcher Félix Hernández, outfielder Carlos González, and infielders Dustin Pedroia and Hanley Ramírez. They are accompanied by reliever Fernando Rodney, second baseman Ian Kinsler, versatile player Ben Zobrist, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, and catchers Russell Martin and Brian McCann, along with outfielders Curtis Granderson and Adam Jones.
In the 2024 voting, Wagner garnered 284 votes, achieving 73.8%, just five votes short of the 75% required for induction. He will be appearing on the ballot for the 10th and final time alongside newly elected stars Adrian Beltré, Joe Mauer, and Todd Helton.
Other returning candidates include prominent figures such as Alex Rodriguez (134 votes, 34.8%) and Manny Ramirez (125, 32.5%). Additionally, Andruw Jones (237, 61.6%), Carlos Beltran (220, 57.1%), Chase Utley (111, 28.8%), Omar Vizquel (68, 17.7%), Jimmy Rollins (57, 14.8%), Bobby Abreu (57, 14.8%), Andy Pettitte (52, 13.5%), Mark Buehrle (32, 8.3%), Francisco Rodríguez (30, 7.8%), Torii Hunter (28, 7.3%), and David Wright (24, 6.2%) also remain in contention.
Gary Sheffield concluded his eligibility after receiving 246 votes, or 63.9%, in his final year on the ballot. He will be reconsidered by the committee evaluating contemporary era players in December 2025.
Ichiro Suzuki achieved a remarkable feat in 2001, becoming one of only two players, alongside Fred Lynn in 1975, to win both the AL Rookie of the Year and AL MVP in the same season. Suzuki, a two-time AL batting champion and ten-time Gold Glove winner, boasts a career batting average of .311, with 117 home runs, 780 RBIs, and 509 stolen bases over his time with the Seattle Mariners (2001-12, 2018-19), New York Yankees (2012-14), and Miami Marlins (2015-17). His record of 262 hits in 2004 remains unmatched.
CC Sabathia, a six-time All-Star, captured the 2007 AL Cy Young Award and celebrated a World Series victory in 2009. Over 19 seasons with teams like the Cleveland Indians (2001-08), Milwaukee Brewers (2008), and New York Yankees (2009-19), he recorded a career record of 251 wins and 161 losses, a 3.74 ERA, and 3,093 strikeouts, positioning him third among left-handed pitchers behind legends Randy Johnson and Steve Carlton.
Félix Hernández, the 2010 AL Cy Young Award winner, is also a six-time All-Star and has claimed AL ERA titles in 2010 and 2014. His impressive career with the Seattle Mariners from 2005 to 2019 includes a record of 169 wins, 136 losses, a 3.42 ERA, and 2,524 strikeouts. Notably, he pitched the 23rd perfect game in MLB history against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 15, 2012.
Carlos González, a three-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner, was the 2010 NL batting champion. He recorded a .285 batting average with 234 home runs, 785 RBIs, and 122 stolen bases while playing for teams including the Oakland Athletics (2008), Colorado Rockies (2009-18), Cleveland Indians (2019), and Chicago Cubs (2019).
Dustin Pedroia, a four-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner, played a key role in the Boston Red Sox’s World Series championships in 2007 and 2013. Over his career from 2006 to 2019, he batted .299 with 140 home runs, 725 RBIs, and 138 steals, earning the 2007 AL Rookie of the Year and the 2008 AL MVP awards.
Hanley Ramírez, who was named the 2006 NL Rookie of the Year and won the 2009 NL batting title, also made three All-Star appearances. His career stats include a .289 batting average, 271 home runs, 917 RBIs, and 281 stolen bases, playing for teams like the Boston Red Sox (2005, 2015-18), Florida Marlins (2006-12), Los Angeles Dodgers (2012-14), and Cleveland Indians (2019).
The classic era committee is currently considering candidates such as Dick Allen, Dave Parker, and Luis Tiant, alongside Tommy John, Steve Garvey, Ken Boyer, and former Negro Leaguers John Donaldson and Vic Harris.
