Title: Shifting the Spotlight: Should the Hall of Fame Make Selection Process Transparent?
On a Tuesday not so long ago, the esteemed National Baseball Hall of Fame unveiled the celebrated inductees for the 2025 class. Ichiro, an undeniable icon, received an astonishing 99.7% of votes, barring one enigmatic writer who kept Ichiro out of the circle of greatness. This isn't the first time such an anomaly has occurred, sparking debate about the need for the Hall of Fame's voting board to reconsider making all voter selections publicly accessible.
In essence, the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) voting process for awards is as diverse as the players themselves. The generally meager and subjective criteria for selection is as follows: "Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played."
Writers employ various selection methods, ranging from being 'small Hall' or 'big Hall' advocates, to the maximum 10 selections on a ballot, or choose to keep a player on the ballot for extended consideration, resulting in a crowd of opinions that keeps fans enthralled.
The BBWAA members, all with a minimum of 10 years covering baseball, have petitioned the Baseball Hall of Fame board for transparency in 2016. Regrettably, the petition was rejected, leading to intriguing and controversial results. All other BBWAA awards – MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year – disclose the voter and selected players. However, the Hall of Fame only reveals the names of those voting in a specific year, leaving the identity of non-public voters hidden.
Controversially, since 2017, three prominent outcomes have caught the attention of baseball enthusiasts. Ken Griffey, Jr. fell short of attributed unanimous selection by a narrow margin in 2016, followed by New York Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter missing out on unanimity by a single vote in 2020, and now Ichiro, regrettably, falls close in 2025.
Having the privilege of selecting the Hall of Fame players is unique and substantial, entrusting millions of baseball fans with the world's attention and a piece of baseball's proud history, integral to the American fabric. While there's merit to the idea of publishing selections, it is not appropriate to demand codified reasons behind the chosen candidates. Many journalists justify their picks, which is a sign of transparency, while others choose to keep their reasoning private, and that is acceptable.
Writers may adhere to the 'small Hall' ideology, which has its extremes, and occasionally, BBWAA ballots may include a blank vote. If the selection process does not meet one's expectations, then casting a blank ballot is a legitimate expression of dissatisfaction.
Some may argue that a lack of public selections creates an atmosphere of suspicion towards non-disclosing writers, shouldering guilt upon those who keep their ballots secret. However, several voters choose to make their votes public, suggesting that the issue lies more with those who opt not to disclose their decisions.
In light of the other BBWAA awards and the need for transparency, it's evident that there should be ongoing discussions regarding the public availability of BBWAA Hall of Fame voting selections. The Hall of Fame's consistent stance on revealing ballots only on a voluntary basis keeps a veil of mystery, but many voters are content with public disclosure.
Impartial minds must consider the implications of both sides and make informed decisions. As the BBWAA has reiterated their desire for transparency, the Hall of Fame should reevaluate their stance, ensuring that the voters' choices are available to the public, in the spirit of fairness and honesty.
[1] BBWAA Hall of Fame petition[2] Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic[5] Rotoworld BBWAA voter survey results
The enigmatic writer who kept Ichiro out of the Hall of Fame's 100% circle is yet to be identified, joining the list of controversial non-voters for baseball legends such as Ken Griffey, Jr. and Derek Jeter. Despite BBWAA members' requests for transparency in 2016, the Hall of Fame board has yet to disclose the identities of non-public voters, leaving some fans suspecting certain writers' motives. BBWAA Hall of Fame petitioner Billy Wagner, together with other accomplished veterans like CC Sabathia, understands the significance of public voting disclosure, advocating for a more fair and accountable selection process.