Making the unpopular case for electing Alex Rodriguez to the Baseball Hall of Fame

It's that time of the year again, folks. Put free agency aside for a little bit, because the 2024 BBWAA (Baseball Writers Association of America) ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame came out on November 20th. This part of the offseason can sometimes be compared to the Real Housewives of Wherever, because of the constant drama that comes with arguing about who should and shouldn't be voted into Cooperstown.

Gone are the days when we argued about Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Mark McGuire (Yes, they belong in the HoF). Yes, players like Bonds, Clemens, McGuire, and even Pete Rose can still be selected into the Hall of Fame by way of the "Contemporary Era Ballot". Players who come with baggage, such as Curt Schilling, Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez, who I am going to make the case for, may have to wait until they are eligible to be voted in by the Veterans' Committee, instead of the normal BBWAA ballot.

Former Mariner great Alex Rodriguez is on the BBWAA ballot for just the second time. In order to be elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame, you need 75% of the votes. A-Rod got just 35.7% in his first time on the ballot. But why is that? Why does a player who has 3115 hits, 696 home runs, 3 MVP awards, and 14 All-Star appearances get just 35.7% of the votes? You probably know the answer, unless you have lived under a rock for the past 20 years.