Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones Headline Hall of Fame Class as Cleveland Legends Fall Short
It was a celebratory day for Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones, who punched their tickets to Cooperstown via the Baseball Writers’ Association of America vote. But for a quartet of former Cleveland stars-Manny Ramirez, Omar Vizquel, Edwin Encarnación, and Shin-Soo Choo-the Hall of Fame door remains closed, at least for now.
Manny Ramirez: A Bat Built for Cooperstown, a Legacy Complicated
Manny Ramirez’s Hall of Fame case has always been a tale of two legacies. On one hand, you’ve got the numbers-eye-popping, era-defining numbers. On the other, the PED suspensions that have dogged his candidacy from the start.
Tuesday marked the end of Ramirez’s 10-year run on the BBWAA ballot. He finished with 38.8% of the vote-his highest total yet, but still a long way from the 75% threshold needed for induction. Despite a career that included 555 home runs (236 of them in a Cleveland uniform), a .312 batting average, and a .996 OPS over 19 seasons, Ramirez never managed to build enough momentum with voters.
Let’s be clear: from a purely statistical standpoint, Ramirez is one of the best right-handed hitters the game has seen. A 12-time All-Star, nine-time Silver Slugger, and two-time World Series champion, he also holds the MLB postseason record with 29 home runs. His 69.3 career WAR, per Baseball Reference, places him firmly in Hall of Fame territory.
But the two failed drug tests left an indelible mark. In a post-steroid-era voting climate, that’s a hurdle many voters still aren’t willing to overlook. Ramirez’s BBWAA chapter may be over, but the Era Committee could give him another shot down the line.
Omar Vizquel: Defensive Wizard, Off-Field Controversy
Omar Vizquel’s case is another that once seemed destined for a happy ending. The 11-time Gold Glove shortstop-nine of those earned during his 11 seasons in Cleveland-was trending upward early in his Hall of Fame journey, peaking at 52.6% of the vote in his third year on the ballot.
But off-field allegations changed everything.
Vizquel received just 18.4% of the vote in his ninth year of eligibility. He has one more shot next year before his BBWAA eligibility expires.
The drop in support can be traced back to two separate incidents: a spousal abuse allegation (no charges were filed) and a sexual harassment lawsuit involving a bat boy during his time managing in the White Sox minor league system. The latter case was settled out of court.
On the field, Vizquel’s résumé is impressive. A 24-year career.
Nearly 2,900 hits. One of the most graceful and consistent defenders of his generation.
But Hall of Fame voters weigh more than just stats, and the off-field issues have clearly impacted his standing.
Edwin Encarnación and Shin-Soo Choo: One-and-Done
Two other former Cleveland standouts-Edwin Encarnación and Shin-Soo Choo-made their first (and only) appearances on the ballot this year. Neither reached the 5% threshold needed to stay on for another year.
Encarnación received six votes (1.4%). Signed by Cleveland to a three-year, $60 million deal ahead of the 2017 season, he was brought in to add power to a team fresh off a World Series appearance.
He delivered on that front, hitting 70 home runs and driving in 214 runs over two seasons with the club. He finished his career with 424 homers-an impressive total, but not quite enough to push him into Hall consideration.
Choo, meanwhile, picked up just three votes (0.7%). Originally signed out of South Korea as a pitcher by the Mariners, Choo reinvented himself as a dynamic right fielder.
His seven-year run in Cleveland from 2006 to 2012 included a .292 batting average and 83 homers. He played 16 seasons in total, hitting 218 home runs across his career.
Both players had strong careers and were vital contributors during their time in Cleveland, but neither gained significant traction with voters.
Looking Ahead
The Hall of Fame conversation around Cleveland’s past stars isn’t over. Asdrúbal Cabrera and Scott Kazmir are set to appear on the 2027 ballot. And while Ramirez and Vizquel’s BBWAA windows are closing-or already closed-the Era Committee could still revisit their cases down the line.
For now, though, it’s Beltrán and Jones who get to make their summer plans for Cooperstown. And for some of Cleveland’s finest, the wait continues.