The 2024 Baseball Hall of Fame class was revealed on Tuesday and featured three baseball icons: Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre, Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer and Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton — along with longtime manager Jim Leyland, whose inclusion was announced in December.
Yet, as it usually goes with the Hall of Fame, people are upset about the many MLB legends who were snubbed on this year's ballot.
The most notable snub of the MLB's 2024 HoF class is longtime Mets closer Billy Wagner.
This was the ninth year that Wagner has been included on the ballot, and the 73.8% of votes he received — the most out of any player who didn't make the 75% cut — means that he only needed five more votes to receive induction this year. Since players are only allowed a maximum of 10 years on the ballot, Wagner now has just one more year of eligibility remaining before he misses out on the Hall of Fame forever.
Three new shrines in Cooperstown ? pic.twitter.com/oRszIpcb2V
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 23, 2024
Wagner being snubbed once again is surprising, as he was one of the MLB's top relievers throughout his 16-year career. Across those seasons, Wagner was a seven-time All-Star and produced a 2.31 ERA, 422 saves (sixth most all time) and 1,196 strikeouts over 853 games.
Billy Wagner missing the Baseball Hall of Fame by 1.2% is truly insane
One of the best left-handed relievers in the sport of baseball deserves to be in the Hall of Fame pic.twitter.com/sOs6mgqiTF
— Calico Joe (@CalicoJoeMLB) January 24, 2024
Another notable snub from the 2024 Hall of Fame class is feared slugger Gary Sheffield, whose name appeared on 63.9% of the ballots. Because this was the 10th year that Sheffield — who hit 509 home runs (27th most all time) across his 22-season MLB career — was included on the ballot, him not making the cut this year means he is no longer Hall of Fame-eligible.
Gary Sheffield didn?t make the cut tonight, but don?t let that distract from an incredible career.
2,689 hits.
.292 BA.
60.5 rWAR.
1,676 RBI.
304 more BBs than Ks.
140 OPS+.
1992 NL Batting Title.
9x All-Star.
5x Silver Slugger.
509 dingers.The Marlins wouldn?t have won it all? pic.twitter.com/UhKNUOiIIE
— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) January 24, 2024
In addition to those two snubs, legends such as Andruw Jones (seventh year on the ballot), Carlos Beltrán (second year on the ballot), Alex Rodriguez (third year on the ballot) and Manny Ramirez (eighth year on the ballot) all missed the cut this year as well.
Just a reminder Andruw Jones belongs in Cooperstown pic.twitter.com/WYc2GCO3cW
— Peyton (@PeytonTowry) January 23, 2024
While both Rodriguez and Ramirez have more than enough MLB accolades to be Hall of Famers, their documented usage of performance-enhancing substances during their careers makes it likely they'll never receive enough votes to make the Hall of Fame.
Since 2025 will be the first year that MLB legends Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia are included on the ballot — both of whom are considered to be certain inductees — it will be difficult for all those who didn't make the cut in 2024 to get inducted next year.
However, given how close Wagner was, it wouldn't be surprising to see him inducted in his final year of eligibility — which would be fitting, since Wagner was used to performing in the final inning.
