More Controversy Added To Baseball Hall Of Fame Ballot

The Baseball Hall of Fame voting process is one filled with controversy on an annual basis.

Some voters believe those who got busted using steroids in MLB should never get in, while others believe the contributions to the game are great enough for induction.

Other voters even launch a futile protest by not voting for anyone at all.

The 2022 ballot is here and baseball fans can see the controversy stirring as soon as they lay eyes on the candidates.

As just announced by @baseballhall, here's the 2022 @officialBBWAA Hall of Fame ballot: pic.twitter.com/tesaStndwI

— Ryan Thibodaux (@NotMrTibbs) November 22, 2021

The usual suspects of Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, and Sammy Sosa are all back and in their final year as candidates.

Added this year is Alex Rodriguez, who has his own past featuring steroid use.

This will surely be a fascinating year of discussions surrounding the ballot.

Plenty Of Controversial Figures Remain

Bonds, Clemens, and Sosa have one final shot to get in via the voting process.

Otherwise, it will come down to a veterans committee in the future.

For simple argument’s sake, let’s solely focus on Bonds.

He had 762 home runs, won seven MVP awards, made 14 All-Star Games, and even won eight Gold Gloves.

This is a legend of the game based on the numbers.

What a STACKED hall of fame ballot. My entire childhood is on here. pic.twitter.com/8B72YEbqW7

— Trevor Williams (@MeLlamoTrevor) November 22, 2021

Of course, his name is marred by performance-enhancing drugs.

But should that matter given his impact on the game of baseball?

That argument is at the heart of his candidacy and is why he still remains on the ballot today, 14 years after he last played.

Rodriguez is likely going to go through the same process as Bonds, Clemens, and Sosa.

If none of those three make it in, it will be tough for A-Rod to break the trend given Bonds has the superior numbers.

It is truly unfortunate that the Baseball Hall of Fame conversation surrounds the concept of cheating.

But that is just the way things are after an era filled with excitement that resulted in controversy.