J.J. Cooper’s 2026 Hall of Fame Ballot: Picks and Analysis

This article digs into how one longtime Hall of Fame voter has shifted his philosophy after decades covering baseball. He started out exclusive, but now takes a more open-minded approach when weighing Cooperstown candidates.

It’s a personal look at ballot strategy, baseball history, and the endless debate over what greatness really means in this sport.

From “Small Hall” to Strategic Voter

For years, the author called himself a “Small Hall” guy. He thought the Hall of Fame should only honor the absolute legends—the inner-circle icons.

But over time, his thinking changed. Experience, history, and a little soul-searching nudged him toward what he now calls a “Medium Hall” outlook.

He still values excellence, but he’s realized greatness wears a lot of different faces. What really shifted his mindset was digging into how political and contextual voting shaped the Hall itself.

Cooperstown isn’t frozen in time. The Hall keeps evolving, often correcting old mistakes.

History Matters in Hall of Fame Voting

The author brings up the long-overdue recognition of Negro League players. Those inductions weren’t just symbolic—they fixed real historical oversights.

Seeing the Hall adjust and expand made him rethink his own ballot. He feels more comfortable giving borderline candidates a closer look, rather than shutting them out completely.

Why Living Inductions Carry More Weight

Another thing that changed his approach: He believes we should celebrate greatness while the players are still here to enjoy it.

Posthumous inductions matter, sure, but they just don’t hit the same way as seeing a player give that Hall of Fame speech with their family and fans around.

A Flawed System Rewards Stinginess

He’s not shy about criticizing the Hall of Fame ballot structure. You need 75 percent to get in, but just 5 percent to stay on the ballot. That gives conservative voters way too much power.

One strict ballot can cancel out several “yes” votes. To push back against that, the author admits he votes more generously these days.

He’s not trying to water things down, just making sure good players get a real shot over time.

Voting With the Long Game in Mind

This strategy leads him to support players who might not make it right away. He thinks keeping candidates on the ballot matters—opinions change, and sometimes it takes a while for everyone to catch up.

Lessons From Kenny Lofton and Brian McCann

Kenny Lofton’s quick drop-off from the ballot sticks with him. Lofton had a strong case but didn’t get enough time for a fair hearing.

Brian McCann, on the other hand, is the kind of player who deserved a few years of consideration. His steady production and postseason moments made him a real contender.

The 2026 Hall of Fame Ballot Breakdown

For 2026, the author’s carrying over several repeat picks and adding five new names. Narrowing things down wasn’t easy—he could’ve checked 12 or 13 boxes without much hesitation.

• Andruw Jones
• Carlos Beltrán
• Chase Utley
• Félix Hernández
• Andy Pettitte
• Jimmy Rollins
• Bobby Abreu
• Cole Hamels
• Dustin Pedroia
• David Wright

Peak vs. Longevity: Hamels or Buehrle?

The toughest call came down to Cole Hamels versus Mark Buehrle. Buehrle’s durability and consistency were hard to ignore.

But in the end, Hamels’ peak years, playoff heroics, and overall impact tipped the scale for the author.

Drawing the PED Line

The author stands firm on leaving out Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramírez. He draws a line, saying PED suspensions in the modern testing era aren’t the same as suspected or poorly regulated use back in baseball’s wild west days.

 
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