Could Ichiro Suzuki, Billy Wagner, and CC Sabathia Be Headed to the National Baseball Hall of Fame?
As the Jan. 21 announcement of the Hall of Fame voting results approaches, the baseball world is buzzing with anticipation. Will Ichiro Suzuki become the second player ever unanimously voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame? Can Billy Wagner pick up the five votes he missed last year to gain entry in his final year of eligibility? And will CC Sabathia make it to Cooperstown on his first try?
The nearly 400 eligible voting members of the Baseball Writers Association of America are responsible for casting their votes. According to Ryan Thibodaux’s Baseball Hall of Fame tracker, all 151 ballots logged have checked the box next to Suzuki’s name. The possibility of Suzuki joining Mariano Rivera as the only unanimous Hall of Fame inductee is a topic of much speculation.
Ichiro Suzuki’s Unanimous Induction?
Only Mariano Rivera has been elected to the Hall of Fame unanimously. Could Suzuki follow in his footsteps? Thibodaux remains cautious about making any predictions until the official results are announced. Notably, Jeter was left off one ballot in 2020, and Griffey was left off three in 2016, showing that surprises can happen.
CC Sabathia’s Strong Support
CC Sabathia, a first-year nominee, has garnered considerable support, with 92.7 percent of the votes as of now. Thibodaux expressed surprise at the strength of Sabathia’s backing, indicating that he is likely to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Billy Wagner’s Final Push
Billy Wagner, in his 10th and final year on the ballot, is trending towards induction after narrowly missing out last year. With 84.1 percent of public ballots in his favor, Wagner’s chances are looking promising.
What the Future Holds
Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones are also close to the threshold for induction. The current voting trends suggest a positive outlook for eventual induction for these players. Additionally, the strength of Sabathia’s support bodes well for future candidates like Andy Pettitte, Félix Hernández, and others.
Players on the Bubble
As the focus remains on the 75 percent mark for induction, attention is also on the 5 percent needed to stay on the ballot. Several first-year eligible players are at risk of falling off the ballot, including Russell Martin, Brian McCann, Torii Hunter, and Francisco Rodríguez.
With the announcement just around the corner, the baseball world eagerly awaits the unveiling of the Hall of Fame Class of 2023. Will Ichiro Suzuki, Billy Wagner, and CC Sabathia be among the esteemed group of inductees? Stay tuned for the official results on Jan. 21!
(Photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
