Just getting on a Baseball Hall of Fame ballot is an honor. This year only a dozen newcomers are on the ballot. None are getting elected, but the key is to survive the 5% cutoff point and stick on the ballot long enough to gain momentum, as have Andruw Jones (7.3%), who may be elected this year when results are announced Jan. 20, and recent electees Scott Rolen (10.2%), Billy Wagner (10.5%) and Todd Helton (16.5%).
Last year saw 14 first timers on the ballot. Among them, Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia were elected, Felix Hernandez and Dustin Pedroia cleared the 5% mark and the other 10 were one-and-done.
