2020 Hall of Fame Ballot Announced

The BBWAA (pronounced buhbuhwahahah if you were wondering) announced its 2020 Hall of Fame Ballot today.

The list of candidates added this year is... something. It’s basically impossible for me to avoid doing a very terrible Stefon impersonation and announce that “This ballot has everything. Paul Konerko. Brad Penny. Heath Bell.”

(New candidates, as always, italicized)

The rest of the ballot brings back a bunch of pretty great players, off-field issues aside, as Curt Schilling, Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, and Larry Walker continue to try to crack the 75% threshold. Walker is unfortunately likely to fail, as this is his final year on the ballot and a 21% jump would be colossal even with an Edgaresque PR initiative behind it. Further down the ballot, Omar Vizquel seems likely to eventually make it, sitting at 42.8% in just his third year on the ballot.

And do you want former Mariners? This ballot has former Mariners! Omar Vizquel, J.J. Putz, Raúl Ibañez, Cliff Lee—there’s something for everyone!*

*as long as everyone just wants lost hope and sadness

With some backlog cleared out, this is one of the weaker ballots in recent memory, and hopefully that will allow some deserving players to see significant gains in percentage or to attain election. Notable snubs among first-year eligible players include Endy Chavez and Blake Beavan. Please direct all complaints on this matter to former LL staffer Isabelle Minasian, who personally wrote this entire ballot, I am told.

Who do you have on your HOF ballot? Who do you think will be elected this year?

Important Update 11:28 AM: