The results of the 2024 Baseball Hall of Fame class voting were unveiled on Tuesday, celebrating the achievements of Adrian Beltre, Todd Helton, and Joe Mauer as they earned their spots in Cooperstown. However, the exclusion of New York Yankees legend Alex Rodriguez, for the third consecutive year, has become a focal point of discussion.
The Baseball Writers’ Association of America, responsible for the voting, has historically been cautious about inducting players associated with performance-enhancing drugs during the Steroid Era. Alex Rodriguez, who had a career spanning the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and Yankees, received only 34.8 percent of the votes, falling 41 percentage points (or 155 votes) short of the required threshold for induction.
Despite Rodriguez’s tarnished legacy due to PED use, many fans argue that his accomplishments on the field should outweigh these controversies. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest hitters in MLB history and was a high-caliber defender during his prime.
Some fans express disbelief and frustration over his exclusion. One fan, @TheJoezilla, tweeted, “Can’t believe he’s not in,” while @Romano_718 commented, “Arod is one of the greatest baseball players anyone alive has ever witnessed play the sport smfh.”
Arod is one of the greatest baseball players anyone alive has ever witnessed play the sport smfh https://t.co/FZYmFBPWGu
— Romano (@Romano_718) January 24, 2024
The continued exclusion of players like Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, and Roger Clemens puzzles many fans who believe that these players, despite their controversies, played a crucial role in shaping baseball’s history. They argue that the Hall of Fame should honor individuals who have left an indelible mark on the sport.
Until you have Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez etc in the Baseball Hall of Fame… it’ll continue to be a sham.
— Gina Muscato (@GinaMuscato) January 23, 2024
Alex Rodriguez still has seven more years of eligibility to improve his voting percentage. However, given the strict standards applied by voters, his path to induction into Cooperstown appears to be challenging.