2022 Call To The Bullpen Hall of Fame: My Ballot

After a year where no one was inducted from the BBWAA ballots in 2021, the 2022 Hall of Fame Ballot was sure to be loaded with talent. We saw the addition of recently retired sluggers, headlined by David Ortiz and Álex Rodríguez. While at CSMN we followed the ten-vote maximum as set forth by the BBWAA, I used just eight.

This was an exciting election, and I am happy that we have four new members in the Call To The Bullpen Hall of Fame. Below are the eight players I voted for, and my reasoning for doing so.

Andruw Jones: While Jones failed to reach 2,000 hits, his résumé speaks for itself. He was a five-time All-Star, won ten Gold Glove Awards, one Silver Slugger Award, and had an excellent 62.7 bWAR. He also racked up 434 home runs, 1,289 RBIs, and a .823 OPS. His results on the BBWAA ballot are rising every year, and I think he’ll eventually make it into the Hall.

Jeff Kent: It is unlikely that Kent will make it in the Hall of Fame in his ten years on the ballot, but his ability to drive in runs at a very high rate is what sets him apart. Over his 17-year career, he posted 2,461 hits, 377 home runs, and 1,518 RBIs. He also won the 2000 NL MVP, made 5 All-Star Games, and won 4 Silver Sluggers. His 55.5 career bWAR and .855 OPS are Hall worthy, especially as a second baseman.

David Ortiz: “Big Papi” was one of the most prolific power hitters of his generation. He posted 541 home runs and 1,768 RBIs over his 20-year career, to go along with a terrific .931 OPS and 141 OPS+. Ortiz is one of the more recognizable figures in baseball history, as his ability to come through in big games was widely regarded. The Hall of Fame is surely a better place with this slugger in.

Álex Rodríguez: While many voters will likely never give A-Rod the nod due to PED suspensions, he had an undeniable impact on the game. He racked up over 3,100 hits, 696 home runs, and 2,086 RBIs. He has an elite 117.5 career bWAR, won 3 MVPs, and was selected to 14 All-Star Games. Rodríguez is arguably the best infielder of all time, and for that reason alone, he should be in the Hall.

Curt Schilling: Schilling has become one of the more disliked people in baseball over the past few years, but his impact on the game in his 20-year career was remarkable. While his 216 wins are rather low for a pitcher of his era, he is a member of the coveted 3,000 Strikeout Club, and is a historic Postseason performer.

You simply can’t tell the story of Major League Baseball without Curt Schilling. He was the co-World Series MVP for the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks, and mowed hitters down with the Red Sox, in their 2004 and 2007 World Series Championship teams.

Gary Sheffield: Sheffield is best remembered for his unique stance, and his elite power. He was selected to 9 All-Star Games, won 5 Silver Sluggers, and hit 509 home runs. Gary’s tremendous slash line is easily Hall worthy, as he posed a .292/.393/.907 slash. He made a huge impact for all eight teams he played for, and if he doesn’t get in the Hall in his ten years on the ballot, he likely will with the Veterans Committee.

Sammy Sosa: While I did not vote for Slammin’ Sammy in my ballot last year, I gave him the nod this year. Over his 18-year career, he posted over 2,400 hits, 609 home runs, and an .878 OPS. I decided to give the 1998 NL MVP winner the vote this year, because with Schilling, you can’t tell the story of professional baseball without Sosa.

Billy Wagner: Anyone that knows me is aware of my support for Billy. He is my favorite player of all time, because of his ability to blow fastballs by hitters in the prime of the Steroid Era. He is undoubtedly the best left-handed relief pitcher of all time, as he compiled 422 saves, to go along with an elite 2.31 ERA and incredible 0.998 WHIP. While he did struggle in the Postseason, his dominance in the regular season overshadows it.

Thank you all for reading, and make sure to follow Capital Sports Media Network on Instagram and Twitter. Also, stay tuned for more of my appearances on Call To The Bullpen.