A-Rod, Manny Ramirez Headline 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot

The Baseball Hall of Fame just dropped its official ballot for the Class of 2026. This one’s shaping up to be one of the most interesting voting cycles in a while.

There’s a mix of accomplished first-time candidates and some high-profile returning stars. Since there’s no obvious first-ballot inductee, holdover players might finally get a real shot at Cooperstown.

A Fresh Crop of First-Time Contenders

This year’s ballot introduces several notable names making their debut. None are automatic picks, but each brings a unique story and some impressive career moments.

First-Time Candidate Highlights

Here are some of the new entries:

• Cole Hamels – The lefty who led the Phillies to the 2008 World Series, snagging both NLCS and World Series MVP honors. That postseason was legendary.
• Ryan Braun – At one point, he was among baseball’s brightest stars. His 2013 PED suspension hangs over his MVP award and multiple All-Star nods, though.
• Edwin Encarnación – He found his power stroke late, especially with the Blue Jays, and kept slugging well into his 30s.
• Alex Gordon – A defensive anchor and clubhouse favorite, he helped the Royals win it all in 2015.
• Shin-Soo Choo – Known for his versatility and patience at the plate, Choo put together a quietly solid career.
• Hunter Pence – Fans loved his quirky energy, and he won two rings with the Giants. Hard not to root for the guy.
• Rick Porcello – The 2016 AL Cy Young winner had good runs with the Tigers and Red Sox. Never flashy, but effective.

Returning Heavyweights Seeking the Hall

The returning candidates might be the real story this year. A few big names have been inching closer to enshrinement, and with no first-ballot superstars in the mix, this could finally be their year.

The Close Calls from 2025

Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones nearly made it last year, with 70.3% and 66.2% of the vote. For Jones, the clock’s ticking—it’s his ninth and next-to-last year of eligibility.

The Polarizing Power of Alex Rodríguez

Alex Rodríguez is a complicated case, maybe the most in the bunch. His numbers are wild: 696 home runs, three MVPs, over 3,100 hits. But the PED controversies keep his candidacy at the center of debate. Some voters just can’t look past it.

How a Weak Rookie Class Could Shift the Vote

Usually, the strength of the first-timers shapes how much momentum returning players get. With no slam-dunk inductee on this ballot, voters might take a longer look at guys like Beltrán, Jones, and Rodríguez.

That could finally push one—or maybe more—over the 75% mark for induction. It’s hard to predict, but the door’s definitely open.

Potential Beneficiaries

Players with good but not overwhelming stats, like Manny Ramirez (whose own PED history muddies the waters) and Edwin Encarnación (who peaked later), might see a bump in votes. With fewer new stars crowding the ballot, their cases could get more attention.

The Stakes for 2026 and Beyond

Looking back, ballots without obvious favorites tend to deliver surprise outcomes. Veterans hanging around the edge sometimes get a real shot, since voters can dig into their stories instead of just rubber-stamping a clear pick.

For fans, the real fun is watching if those endless debates—especially the ones about PEDs and Hall of Fame voting—finally start to shift. If Andruw Jones gets in, that would be a huge moment for one of the best defensive center fielders ever.

A-Rod’s situation? That might end up setting the tone for how people judge future stars with complicated legacies.

One thing’s for sure: fans and voters are about to get a Hall of Fame season that’s anything but boring. Who knows where it’ll all land?

 
Here is the source article for this story: Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez and Full 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot Revealed