USA TODAY International Edition
Ortiz, Teixeira, Rollins also joining A- Rod on 2022 ballot
After no players were voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2021, the debate surrounding the 2022 ballot is going to be unlike anything we’ve seen before.
Not only will controversial figures in Curt Schilling, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens make their 10th and final appearance on the ballot, they will be joined by Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz – both of whom have the requisite statistics but present complicated cases for voters.
Other holdovers include Scott Rolen ( 52.9%), Omar Vizquel ( 49.1%), Billy Wagner ( 46.4%), Todd Helton ( 44.9%), Gary Sheffield ( 40.6%) and Andruw Jones ( 33.9%).
Here’s a look at the top players who will be making their debut on the 2022 ballot:
Alex Rodriguez ( 117.5 WAR) – 696 home runs ( fourth all time), 2,086 RBI ( fourth all time), 3- time MVP ( 2003, 2005, 2007), 14- time All- Star David Ortiz ( 55.3 WAR) – 541 home runs, 10- time All- Star, .455/ .576/. 795 in 14 World Series games
Mark Teixeira ( 50.6 WAR) – 409 home runs, five Gold Gloves, threetime All- Star
Jimmy Rollins ( 47.6 WAR) – 2007 NL MVP, four Gold Gloves, three- time All- Star, 470 stolen bases
Jake Peavy ( 39.2 WAR) – 2007 NL Cy Young winner, 2007 NL pitching triple crown ( 19 wins, 2.54 ERA, 240 strikeouts)
Carl Crawford ( 39.1 WAR) – Fourtime All- Star, 480 stolen bases
Coco Crisp ( 28.9 WAR) – 309 stolen bases
Justin Morneau ( 27 WAR) – 2006 AL MVP, four- time All- Star, 2014 NL batting champion
Joe Nathan ( 26.7 WAR) – 377 saves ( eighth all time), six- time All- Star