Time has come to drop Ramirez

Six is the magic number for me this season. A mix of six players getting my nod for the Hall of Fame, including two slamdunk first-timers and four deserving holdovers, minus one former yes whom I’ve finally decided to leave off my ballot.

While the last few years have seen just a trickle of players earn enshrinement, votes should flow more freely now. The steroid era still casts its shadow, but now it’s far more defensible to keep out the players who ignored clear and definitive testing rules and focus on players who played by the rules.

So for me, it’s goodbye to Manny Ramirez (below), who remains the owner of one of the sweetest, truest, most beautiful baseball swings I’ve ever seen, but who spoiled it by using steroids and whom I’ve decided to keep off my ballot despite voting for him before. Same for Alex Rodriguez, for now anyway. Though he might make it at some point, I doubt it.

On to the good news! Let’s start with the newcomers, with both Adrián Beltré and Joe Mauer getting my votes. Beltré is a no-brainer, his 3,166 hits and 477 homers leaving no doubt he belongs. When he retired after the 2018 season, he also had 636 doubles, 1,707 RBIs, and a career slash line of .286/.339/.480. A defensive WAR of 27 puts him 15th among all players, regardless of position. Hall of Fame numbers all.

Mauer is so much more than the hometown kid made good, though he is that. A No. 1 overall pick who spent his entire career with the Twins, Mauer was an excellent defensive catcher before concussions forced him to move to first base, and he also was a premier offensive force, the only catcher to win three batting titles. Six All-Star Games, three Gold Gloves, and one MVP: He’s in.

My other four votes return from last year’s ballot.

Gary Sheffield likely won’t make it, and in his 10th year, this is his last chance. But for me, his incredible bat control — a waggle that belied common sense and spoke to incredible hand strength — and an ability to crush the baseball, with 509 career home runs to prove it, make him among the best I watched.

Billy Wagner, in his ninth year, excelled in a position (closer) that is too easily undervalued when it comes to Hall of Fame consideration. As I’ve said before and will continue to say, if it’s a position on the field ( just like designated hitter), then it’s part of the game that should be treated with equal respect.

And similarly, if you play in a city with an altitude advantage but the league decides to put a team there anyway, then you shouldn’t be punished for it. Todd Helton and his Colorado numbers — 369 home runs, 2,519 hits, five All-Stars, three Gold Gloves, and a career slash of .316/.414/.539 — deserve it.

Finally, Andruw Jones, an exceptional five-tool player who electrified the Atlanta fan base and roster from his debut at the age of 19, is in.