The list of Hall of Fame gatekeepers who kept Barry Bonds out of the Hall of Fame

[dodgerfanjohn]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

I know he's a flawed person, and no, I didn't believe his claims of not knowingly using PEDs.

If your measure in life is how much you do for others vs how self centered one is, Bonds is a pretty crappy human being. Factor in that he has the financial resources to do good, and you have an even worse person. There’s a lot about him that isn’t widely public knowledge. I’ve encountered him twice in truly random settings…the kind of encounters where you think no one is watching and you can choose to do good or not. He chose not on both occasions. I don’t think he’s flawed. I think his entire state of being is looking out for number 1 and eff everyone else.

[cfern023]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

I'm confused -- are you thankful of these voters for voting for Beltran? Or are you thankful of them for not voting for Bonds? Or both? Because the list of those who didn't vote for Bonds is much longer.

As for Vizquel, he was trending toward election with 52.6% of the ballots in his third year on the ballot in 2020, when the report of him sexually harassing a minor league bat boy hit: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...ual-harassment

He also was previously accused of physical abuse by his ex-wife. The Hall of Fame voters are not good judges of character, as Vizquel was previously viewed as one of the nice guys in the game.

It's almost like the process is flawed and voters shouldn't be judging the character of people they don't really know.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by Tibbs2004

So? Cheaters shouldn't prosper.

Except the ones who the voters get along with.

Rob Manfred claimed to regret giving the 2017 Astros players immunity in the sign-stealing scandal: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...-best-decision

But 84.2% of the Hall of Fame electorate gave Carlos Beltran a pass for his vital part in the scheme.

The message is clear -- cheaters get rewarded in MLB as long as they have the favor of those in power.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by dodgerfanjohn

If your measure in life is how much you do for others vs how self centered one is, Bonds is a pretty crappy human being. Factor in that he has the financial resources to do good, and you have an even worse person. There’s a lot about him that isn’t widely public knowledge. I’ve encountered him twice in truly random settings…the kind of encounters where you think no one is watching and you can choose to do good or not. He chose not on both occasions. I don’t think he’s flawed. I think his entire state of being is looking out for number 1 and eff everyone else.

Eh, I've seen mixed anecdotes on people's encounters with him. He's a moody guy. And yes, he's got a big ego -- he doesn't hide that. But he's apparently been generous at times behind the scenes.

I don't know about you or anyone else on this board, but I don't expect anything from the players I follow. I cringe at the thought of asking Bonds for an autograph or a little bit of his time. He's not a role model and he never claimed to be. He actually relished being an anti-hero and hated by Dodger fans.

He's unquestionably one of the very best to ever play the game, and that is what matters most to fans of the game. He dedicated his life to the game and excelled at it through elite talent and hard work. I don't need or expect anything else from him or any other player. Would it have been nice if he had been generally approachable, relatable and generous to people? Absolutely. But as a fan of the game, I didn't need him to be.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Yeah, because a rookie and one of the few black players in the league in 1951 had any power in the situation.

Yes he did. If Carlos Beltran doesn't belong in the HOF, then neither do Mays or Aaron.

You fail to understand that there are different punishments for different rules that have been broken. Know steroid cheaters are not allowed in the Hall of Fame. Stealing signs is not considered on that same level.

[dodgerfanjohn]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Eh, I've seen mixed anecdotes on people's encounters with him. He's a moody guy. And yes, he's got a big ego -- he doesn't hide that. But he's apparently been generous at times behind the scenes.

I don't know about you or anyone else on this board, but I don't expect anything from the players I follow. I cringe at the thought of asking Bonds for an autograph or a little bit of his time. He's not a role model and he never claimed to be. He actually relished being an anti-hero and hated by Dodger fans.

He's unquestionably one of the very best to ever play the game, and that is what matters most to fans of the game. He dedicated his life to the game and excelled at it through elite talent and hard work. I don't need or expect anything else from him or any other player. Would it have been nice if he had been generally approachable, relatable and generous to people? Absolutely. But as a fan of the game, I didn't need him to be.

I’m not really debating if someone should or should not get in the hall based on their character…only pointing out that some voters do care about that and Bonds is a pretty scummy guy.

Neither situation was a fan perspective and go both incidents I had a front row seat. Both were once he is retired. One was a criminal situation…no one called the cops…but all I could think while it was occurring was “why in the hell is THIS guy involved in this”? The second involved service staff. It’s always a backwards dynamic since said service staff has their job to lose while the patron at most risks getting kicked out. I may be overly sensitive to this type of thing because of that, but being abusive to people that hold zero power in an interaction strikes me as emotionally and mentally stunted. Considering what I know about the guy from public accounts and my previous interaction with him, I don’t really see how I can view him in any kind of positive light.

This isn’t Mark McGwire who people generally like(and isn’t in the HOF either). It Barry Bomds who might as well be baseballs super-villain.

[carlo16]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Except the ones who the voters get along with.

Rob Manfred claimed to regret giving the 2017 Astros players immunity in the sign-stealing scandal: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...-best-decision

But 84.2% of the Hall of Fame electorate gave Carlos Beltran a pass for his vital part in the scheme.

The message is clear -- cheaters get rewarded in MLB as long as they have the favor of those in power.

Why don’t you at least compare apples to apples. Steroids to steroids. Who voted for Ortiz but not Bonds.

[SaveMeTheGum]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Both newly-elected Hall of Famer Carlos Beltran and Barry Bonds have been prominently labeled as "cheaters" by baseball fans and the media. Bonds was reported to have used PEDs in the second part of his career, while Beltran was reported to have been the driving force behind the 2017 Astros' sign-stealing scheme. These actions should mean both players failed the so-called character clause in the Hall of Fame voting criteria. So why was one player voted into the Hall of Fame and the other not? Who were the voters who decided to vote for Beltran but not for Bonds?

It took me some time, but here is the full list of publicly-known Hall voters who did not vote for Bonds in his final year on the ballot in 2022, but did vote for Beltran later on (source: Ryan Thibodaux's Baseball Hall of Fame vote-tracker):

1. Bob Cohn -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (2026 vote not made public yet)
2. Bob Sherwin -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026
3. Dan McGrath -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026
4. Dave Reynolds -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026
5. David O'Brien -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026
6. David Wilhelm -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (2026 vote not made public yet)
7. Dennis Georgatos -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (did not vote in 2026)
8. Edward Almada -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (2026 vote not made public yet)
9. Gregg Patton -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2023 (2026 vote not made public yet)
10. Hal McCoy -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (2026 vote not made public yet)
11. Ian Harrison -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026
12. Jim Henneman -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (did not vote in 2026)
13. Jim Ingraham -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (2026 vote not made public yet)
14. Jimmy Golen -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026
15. Joe Haakenson -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2024 (did not vote in 2026)
16. Joe Ostermeier -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (2026 vote not made public yet)
17. John Erardi -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (did not vote in 2026)
18. John Harper -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026
19. Kirk Wessler -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026
20. Mark Faller -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026
21. Mark Purdy -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026
22. Maureen Mullen -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (2026 vote not made public yet)
23. Mike Berardino -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (2026 vote not made public yet)
24. Mike Fitzpatrick -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (2026 vote not made public yet)
25. Patrick Reusse -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (2026 vote not made public yet)
26. Patrick Saunders -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2024 (2026 vote not made public yet)
27. Paul Hoynes -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026
28. Paul Sullivan -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026
29. Phil Rogers -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (did not vote in 2026)
30. Randy Miller -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026
31. Rick Telander -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (2026 vote not made public yet)
32. Rob Rains -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (2026 vote not made public yet)
33. Robert Parent -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (2026 vote not made public yet)
34. Ron Kroichick -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026
35. Sadiel Lebron -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026
36. Scot Gregor -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2024 (did not vote in 2026)
37. Sheldon Ocker -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (2026 vote not made public yet)
38. Steve Herrick -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2024 (did not vote in 2026)
39. Steve Simmons -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026
40. Teddy Greenstein -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (did not vote in 2026)
41. Terry Pluto -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (2026 vote not made public yet)
42. Thom Loverro -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026
43. Tom Verducci -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026
44. Toni Ginnetti -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 (2026 vote not made public yet)
45. Troy Renck -- voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026


Bonds received votes on 260 of the 394 ballots cast in his final year on the ballot in 2022, only 36 votes shy of the 75% threshold for election. Beltran received votes on 358 votes of the 425 ballots cast this year.

If Bonds had received the votes from the electorate that Beltran received, he would have been elected to the Hall of Fame in 2022. Instead, those voters thread the needle and chose to give their votes only to Beltran. I could give theories as to why they chose that approach, but it wouldn't serve any purpose. What's done is done. Only they really know why they did what they did. By my count, 39 publicly-known voters didn't vote for both Bonds and Beltran, so it's nearly equal between the two groups. But to me, one side comes across as hypocritical, especially when you consider how much better of a player Bonds was, even in his earlier days.

I don't know any of these people. What would you like me to do about it? The writers get to do what they want because it's their vote and, therefore, their Hall of Fame. You're free to make your own I guess...

[jdandns]

When's that Ranger fan who fell over the railing finally going to get elected?
What's the hold up?

[bblair_2002]

Makes me wonder if Kent got in partially as an additional FU to Bonds. I do believe that Kent deserved to be elected but did that weigh on the minds of voters as they voted. On a personal note,I would have loved to see them both inducted this year. Talk about awkward lol.

[carlo16]

Originally Posted by jdandns

When's that Ranger fan who fell over the railing finally going to get elected?
What's the hold up?

The guy that died in front of his son? Stick to people playing make believe and telling real people who go to work how to think.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by rats60

You fail to understand that there are different punishments for different rules that have been broken. Know steroid cheaters are not allowed in the Hall of Fame. Stealing signs is not considered on that same level.

There are already known steroid users in the Hall of Fame. Bonds was never punished by MLB for failing a drug test like A-Rod or Manny. Beltran was called out by MLB in their 2017 Astros sign-stealing report and lost his managerial job with the Mets.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by carlo16

Why don’t you at least compare apples to apples. Steroids to steroids. Who voted for Ortiz but not Bonds.

I was thinking about doing that -- I probably should, considering I've gone this far.

[jdandns]

Originally Posted by carlo16

The guy that died in front of his son? Stick to people playing make believe and telling real people who go to work how to think.

Yeah, that guy.
They made a statue of him, but it was right side up.

[carlo16]

Originally Posted by jdandns

Yeah, that guy.
They made a statue of him, but it was right side up.

You’re just the worst. Your schtick is 80s sitcom bad. Family Guy levels of the same joke.

[jdandns]

There are deeper layers for those willing to look, but I'm OK with "Family Guy".

Also, I have a job, sir, and have had one for nearly 40 years, so maybe you confused me with someone else on that other bit?

[carlo16]

Originally Posted by jdandns

There are deeper layers for those willing to look, but I'm OK with "Family Guy".

Also, I have a job, sir, and have had one for nearly 40 years, so maybe you confused me with someone else on that other bit?

You write beautifully. Just dip your quill in the jar labeled funny every now and then.

[Lonewolf]

Originally Posted by carlo16

Why don’t you at least compare apples to apples. Steroids to steroids. Who voted for Ortiz but not Bonds.

That would be a good one...

[Stifle]

Originally Posted by CommomSensei88

Pete rose is now eligible so I assume voters will let him in and he broke rules
too.

Alot of cheaters are in the Hall of Fame, difference is they did not get caught.

Barry put those big numbers up on juice can you imagine if his dad Bobby took that juice too.

Bobby Bonds took cigarettes and alcohol, he gets overlooked because of Barry's actions.

Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa will have to be allowed in if Barry Bonds gets in too.

That's another reason Barry will probably never go to the Hall of Fame.

Look at all of today's players who are getting away with taking stuff.

A lot has changed in performance enhancing that you don't have to get huge anymore to be using.

Can the drug testing system really be trusted anyways.

The Hall of Fame cannot be taking seriously anymore.

I believe Marvin Miller quoted it best when discussing Peter Ueberroth and the owners & executives behavior was “tantamount to fixing, not just games but entire pennant races, including all post season series”. Marvin Miller understood how vital not having collusion was in keeping the game from being “fixed”.

Those who cheated the game to its absolute lowest point are numerous when being elected within the HOF. A couple of : owners, front office and league presidents who were all in the scandal.

Don’t ask more from the bottom than what should be required at the top.

[JohnnyHatesJazz]

They should put Shawn Estes in the HoF for the sole purpose of pissing Bonds off some more.

Or JT Snow.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by carlo16

Why don’t you at least compare apples to apples. Steroids to steroids. Who voted for Ortiz but not Bonds.

Here you go:


Publicly-revealed voters for David Ortiz but not for Barry Bonds in the 2022 Hall of Fame vote (out of 302 publicly-revealed and unmasked ballots):

1. Paul Daugherty
2. Mark Faller (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026)
3. Steve Goldman
4. Jimmy Golen (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026)
5. Joe Haakenson (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2024)
6. Ian Harrison (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026)
7. David Haugh
8. Michael Knisley
9. Dejan Kovacevic
10. Sadiel Lebron (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026)
11. Dennis Manoloff
12. Randy Miller (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026)
13. Marc Narducci
14. David O'Brien (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026 )
15. Bill Plunkett
16. Rob Rains
17. Dave Reynolds (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026)
18. Phil Rogers (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 -- did not vote in 2026)
19. Patrick Saunders (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2024 -- 2026 vote not made public yet)
20. David Skretta
21. Paul Sullivan (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026)
22. Tom Verducci (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026)
23. Kirk Wessler (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026)
24. Paul White
25. Michael Bauman
26. Paul Bodi
27. Bob Cohn (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 -- 2026 vote not made public yet)
28. Steve Dilbeck
29. John Erardi (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 -- did not vote in 2026)
30. Howard Fendrich
31. Mike Fitzpatrick (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 -- 2026 vote not made public yet)
32. Randy Galloway
33. Teddy Greenstein (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 -- did not vote in 2026)
34. Scot Gregor (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2024 -- did not vote in 2026)
35. Jim Henneman (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 -- did not vote in 2026)
36. Steve Herrick (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2024 -- did not vote in 2026)
37. Paul Hoynes (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2026)
38. Jim Ingraham (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 -- 2026 vote not made public yet)
39. Joe Kay
40. Maureen Mullen (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 -- 2026 vote not made public yet)
41. Carrie Muskat
42. Sheldon Ocker (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 -- 2026 vote not made public yet)
43. Joe Ostermeier (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 -- 2026 vote not made public yet)
44. Robert Parent
45. Gregg Patton (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2023 -- 2026 vote not made public yet)
46. Terry Pluto (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 -- 2026 vote not made public yet)
47. Jim Reeves
48. Patrick Reusse
49. Dick Scanlon
50. David Wilhelm (voted for Carlos Beltran in 2025 -- 2026 vote not made public yet)
51. Gordon Wittenmyer
52. Mark Zuckerman
53. Rick Morrissey
54. Bob Ryan
55. Rick Hummel


-- Number of voters who voted for both David Ortiz and Carlos Beltran in their Hall of Fame election year, but not Barry Bonds in his final year on the ballot: 28 (Bonds needed 36 votes to be elected in 2022; 92 of 394 ballots were kept private or masked)

I would describe the list of voters who voted for both Ortiz and Beltran as the true gatekeepers of the Hall of Fame -- those who decide whether a player with baggage gets in or not.

[PuddleMonkey]

Alright guys, who do we want to cancel first?

[carlo16]

Originally Posted by PuddleMonkey

Alright guys, who do we want to cancel first?

Fabianni

[Twalk1975]

Originally Posted by PuddleMonkey

Alright guys, who do we want to cancel first?

Bob Ryan. At some point I just got sick of all the regulars on Around the Horn.

[cfern023]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Except the ones who the voters get along with.

Rob Manfred claimed to regret giving the 2017 Astros players immunity in the sign-stealing scandal: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...-best-decision

But 84.2% of the Hall of Fame electorate gave Carlos Beltran a pass for his vital part in the scheme.

The message is clear -- cheaters get rewarded in MLB as long as they have the favor of those in power.

Beltran didn't get a pass, he missed out on the last thing he could have possibly gotten in baseball... first year induction and above 90%. He could have been among the legends of the hall, spoken about in the same way as Griffey, Rivera, Ripken. Instead he's got in a few years late and didn't crack 95%.