Bonds and Clemens Likely Barred from Hall of Fame After Latest Vote

UPDATE: Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are almost certain to miss their last chance for induction into baseball’s Hall of Fame, following a disappointing vote from the contemporary era committee. The committee met on December 10, 2023, and each player received fewer than five votes, marking a significant setback for their Hall of Fame aspirations.

Hall of Fame chairman Jane Forbes Clark expressed her lack of surprise regarding the outcome, indicating that the committee’s views align closely with those of baseball writers who have historically scrutinized the players’ involvement in the Steroids Era. “I’m not surprised because I think there’s overlap and obviously discussions among the writers,” she stated during a press conference in Orlando, Florida.

The implications of this vote are profound. Under new rules established by the Hall in March 2023, players receiving fewer than five votes from the 16-member panel will not be eligible for the committee’s ballot for the next three years. If Bonds and Clemens return to the ballot in 2031 and again fall short of five votes, they will be permanently barred from future consideration unless the rules change.

The Hall of Fame’s decision to open spots on the ballot is intended to allow for greater diversity in the candidates being reviewed. Clark emphasized, “What’s lovely about it is it’s going to open up spots on the ballot so that more people can be reviewed.” This decision means that other candidates will have a chance to shine while Bonds and Clemens remain sidelined.

Bonds, a seven-time NL MVP and 14-time All-Star, holds the record for career home runs at 762 and the single-season record with 73 in 2001. Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner, boasts a career record of 354-184 with a 3.12 ERA and ranks third in all-time strikeouts with 4,672. Both players have staunchly denied any wrongdoing, with Bonds claiming he never knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs and Clemens maintaining his innocence.

Their Hall of Fame journey has been fraught with challenges. In their final appearance on the BBWAA ballot in 2022, Bonds received 260 out of 394 votes (66%), while Clemens earned 257 votes (65.2%). Their first attempt on the contemporary era committee ballot in December 2022 was equally disappointing, as they garnered fewer than four votes, while Fred McGriff was elected.

As this story continues to develop, baseball fans and analysts alike are left to ponder the future of Bonds and Clemens. Will they find a pathway back to the Hall of Fame, or will they be forever excluded from baseball’s most prestigious honor? Keep an eye on the upcoming discussions and any potential changes to the Hall’s voting policies. The baseball world is watching closely as the fate of these legendary players hangs in the balance.