Fourteen new candidates, including two players who achieved the rare feat of winning both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, join the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot alongside 14 holdovers from the previous year. The list includes two Cy Young winners and two batting champions, highlighting an impressive field for consideration. Nearly 400 voting members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) will decide which players achieve the necessary 75% threshold for induction. The ceremony is set for July 25-28, 2025, in Cooperstown, New York.
The 2024 ballot saw Adrián Beltré, Joe Mauer, and Todd Helton earn induction, while Billy Wagner narrowly missed with 73.8% of the vote and returns for his final year of eligibility. Other holdovers include prominent players such as Gary Sheffield, Andruw Jones, Carlos Beltrán, and Alex Rodríguez. Players remain eligible for up to 10 years, provided they secure at least 5% of the vote, giving voters time to evaluate their careers and contributions to the sport.
Ichiro Suzuki headlines the new candidates, having made history as the first Japanese position player in Major League Baseball. His stellar rookie season in 2001 saw him win both the American League MVP and Rookie of the Year awards, a rare achievement. Over a 19-year career, Ichiro collected 3,089 hits in MLB and 4,367 combined with his totals in Japan. With 10 Gold Glove Awards, 10 All-Star selections, and a record 262 hits in a single season, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest hitters of all time.
Dustin Pedroia also achieved the rare distinction of winning Rookie of the Year and MVP awards, albeit in back-to-back seasons in 2007 and 2008. A cornerstone for the Boston Red Sox, Pedroia was a four-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, contributing to two World Series titles. Known for his leadership and exceptional play, his career was shortened by a severe knee injury, but his impact on the game remains significant.
Félix Hernández, a career-long Seattle Mariner, earned the 2010 AL Cy Young Award and was known for his dominance on the mound. He threw a perfect game in 2012 and led the league multiple times in key pitching categories such as ERA, shutouts, and innings pitched. CC Sabathia, another pitching great, amassed 251 wins and over 3,000 strikeouts during his 19-year career. The 2007 Cy Young winner also played a crucial role in the Yankees’ 2009 World Series victory, earning the ALCS MVP that season.
Carlos González and Hanley Ramírez join Suzuki as batting champions on the ballot. González, who led the NL in hitting in 2010, was a three-time All-Star and won three Gold Glove Awards for his outfield play. Ramírez, the 2006 Rookie of the Year and 2009 batting champion showcased a unique blend of power and speed. Both players also made memorable contributions in postseason play, further bolstering their Hall of Fame cases.
Other notable newcomers include Fernando Rodney, whose 327 career saves highlight his longevity and effectiveness as a closer, and Ben Zobrist, a two-time World Series champion and the 2016 World Series MVP. Troy Tulowitzki, a standout shortstop, along with versatile players like Ian Kinsler, Russell Martin, and Brian McCann, add depth to the ballot. Curtis Granderson and Adam Jones, recognized for their defensive and offensive prowess, complete a strong group of first-time candidates.
Voting results will be announced on January 21, 2025, with ballots due by December 31, 2024. The combination of first-time nominees and prominent holdovers ensures a competitive and highly anticipated selection process. The 2025 Hall of Fame class will join the game’s greatest legends during the induction ceremony, continuing the tradition of celebrating baseball’s rich history and its most influential figures.
