Box-Toppers is voting for six players to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA) ballot.
Box-Toppers is voting for these players, listed alphabetically by last name:
Box-Toppers Hall of Fame ballot
Here are Box-Toppers' ballot selections for the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA) 2020 Hall of Fame selections. The ballot requires voters to pick as many as 12 candidates—Box-Toppers chose six. (In the "official" vote by the Baseball Writers Association of America—BBWAA—voters can pick as many as 10 candidates.) There are 32 candidates on the BBWAA ballot but only 30 on the IBWAA ballot because internet writers already "inducted" two players passed over by the BBWAA—Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens.Shown first in alphabetical order by last name are the six players Box-Toppers is voting for Hall induction, along with their career Box-Toppers point total and the number of years each player has been on the ballot. A brief Box-Toppers-focused biographical synopsis is shown beneath each player.
That is followed by the list of player Box-Toppers is not voting for Hall induction, also in alphabetical order by last name.
Finally, there is the list of two players the IBWAA has already voted for induction.
| YES: Players Box-Toppers is voting for Hall of Fame | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | Career BTP | Year on ballot |
| Todd Helton | 116.4 | 2 |
| • 5th among 1B in career BTPs since 1995. • Top NL batter in 2000 (15.2), 2001 (17.0). • Top NL 1B 4 times from 1999-2002. |
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| Derek Jeter | 76.4 | 1 |
| • 2nd among SSs in career BTPs since 1995. • 10th among AL batters 1998. • Top 5 AL SS 6 times. |
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| Jeff Kent | 109.7* | 7 |
| • Top-ranked 2B in career points since 1995. • Top NL 2B 6 times: 1997 (11.2), 1998 (10.0), 2000 (12.9), 2001 (9.2), 2002 (10.9), 2004 (7.5). • Top 5 NL 2B 11 times. • Top 10 NL batters twice. |
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| Curt Schilling | 193.1* | 8 |
| • Ranked 9th among all players since 1995. • Five-time top 5 in season BTPs. • Nine-time top 10 pitcher in league in BTPs. |
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| Billy Wagner | 108.7 | 5 |
| • Ranked 3rd among all closing pitchers since 1995. • Top NL closer three times: 1998 (12.0), 1999 (15.0), 2010 (13.0). • Seven times top 5 NL closer. • Top 10 NL pitcher twice. |
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| Larry Walker | 100.1* | 10 |
| • Ranked 11th among all OFs since 1995. • Would have estimated 135 BTP if career from 1989 were tracked. • Top NL batter 1997 (18.5). • Top 10 overall twice. • Top 10 NL batter 3 times. • Top 10 NL OF 6 times. |
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| NO: Players Box-Toppers is not voting for Hall of Fame | ||
| Player | Career BTP | Year on ballot |
| Bobby Abreu | 95.5 | 1 |
| • Ranks 15th in career BTPs among all OFs since 1995. • Top 10 AL batter 2008. • Top 10 AL OF 3 times. • Top 10 NL OF twice. |
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| Josh Beckett | 114.9 | 1 |
| • Ranks 38th in career BTPs among pitchers since 1995. • Top 10 overall player 2011. • Top 10 AL pitcher 4 times. • Top 10 NL pitcher 2005. |
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| Heath Bell | 24.0 | 1 |
| • Ranks 90th in career BTPs among CPs since 1995. • Top 5 NL CP 2009. |
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| Eric Chavez | 60.8 | 1 |
| • Ranks 13th in career BTPs among 3Bs since 1995. • Top AL 3B in 2005. • Top 5 AL 3B three times. • Top 10 AL batter twice. |
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| Adam Dunn | 94.3 | 1 |
| • Ranks 17th in career BTPs among OFs since 1995. • Top NL batter 2005. • Top 10 NL batter twice. • Top 10 NL OFs 3 times. • Top 5 NL 1B 2010. • Top 5 AL DH 2012. |
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| Chone Figgins | 22.4 | 1 |
| • Ranks 81st in career BTPs among 3Bs since 1995. • Top 5 AL 3Bs 2009. |
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| Rafael Furcal | 31.0 | 1 |
| • Ranks 24th in career BTPs among SSs since 1995. • Top 5 NL SS 2005. |
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| Jason Giambi | 133.4 | 1 |
| • Steroids. • Ranks 3rd in career BTPs among 1Bs since 1995. • Ranks 9th in career pts among all batters since 1995. • Led AL batters, AL 1Bs & AL DHs in 2002. • Top 10 overall twice. • Top 10 AL batter 4 times. • Top 5 AL 1B 5 times. • Top 5 AL DH 5 times. |
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| Raul Ibanez | 89.7 | 1 |
| • 20th in career BTPs among OFs since 1995. • Top 10 AL batter twice. • Top 10 AL OF 4 times. • Top 10 NL OF 2009. • Top 5 AL 1B & AL DH 2002. |
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| Paul Konerko | 100.7 | 1 |
| • 10th in career BTPs among 1Bs since 1995. • Top 10 AL batter 3 times. • Top 5 AL 1B 4 times. |
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| Cliff Lee | 119.1 | 1 |
| • 34th in career BTPs among pitchers since 1995. • Top 10 overall twice. • Top 10 AL pitchers twice. • Top 10 NL pitcher twice. |
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| Carlos Pena | 64.3 | 1 |
| • 28th in career BTPs among 1Bs since 1995. • Top 10 AL batter 2009. • Top 5 AL 1B 4 times. |
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| Brad Penny | 76.1 | 1 |
| • 90th in career BTPs among pitchers since 1995. • Top 10 NL pitchers 2007. |
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| Andruw Jones | 96.5 | 3 |
| • Top 10 NL batter twice. • Top 10 NL OF 6 times. |
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| Andy Pettitte | 138.5 | 2 |
| • 23rd in career BTPs among all pitchers since 1995. • Top 10 AL pitcher 4 times, never higher than 8th. |
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| J.J. Putz | 52.7 | 1 |
| • 24th in career BTPs among all CPs since 1995. • Led AL closers in BTPs twice. • Ranked among top 10 AL pitchers twice. • Ranked among top 5 AL CPs 3 times. • Ranked among top 5 NL CPs in 2011. |
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| Manny Ramirez | 167.2* | 4 |
| • Steroids. • 15th in career BTPs among all players since 1995, 3rd among all batters. • Top 10 players twice, 1998 & 1999. • Top AL batter 1999 (19.9). • Top 10 AL batter 7 times. • Top 10 NL batter once. • Top AL OF three times 1999 (19.9), 2000 (13.2), 2005 (14.0). • Top AL OF 9 times. • Top 5 AL DH three times. • Top NL OF 2008 (13.9). |
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| Brian Roberts | 35.9 | 1 |
| • 26th in career BTPs among all 2Bs since 1995. • Top 10 AL batter 2009. • Top 5 AL 2B twice. |
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| Scott Rolen | 97.6 | 3 |
| • 5th in career BTPs among all 3Bs since 1995. • Top 10 NL batters three times. • Top NL 3B three times 2002 (10.0), 2004 (13.5), 2010 (12.0). • Top 5 NL 3B 6 times. |
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| Gary Sheffield | 124.1* | 6 |
| • Steroids. • 11th among batters in career BTPs since 1995. • Would have about 155 BTP if career from 1988 were tracked. • Top 10 overall in 2004. • Top AL batter in 2004 (16.2). • Top 10 AL batter twice. • Top 10 NL batter four times. • Top AL OF in 2004 (16.2). • Top 10 AL OF twice. • Top 5 AL DH once. • Top NL OF in 2000 (14.2). • Top 10 NL OF four times. |
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| Alfonso Soriano | 82.4 | 1 |
| • 25th among OFs in career BTPs since 1995. • Led AL OFs 2013. • Ranked 3rd among NL OFs 2006. • Top 10 AL batter 2013 (2nd). • Top 10 NL batter 2006 (10th). • Top 5 AL 2B 4 times. |
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| Sammy Sosa | 113.2* | 8 |
| • Steroids. • 16th among batters in career BTPs since 1995. • Would have 134 BTP if career from 1989 were tracked. • Top 10 overall 1995. • Top NL batter twice 1995 (15.9), 1998 (15.5). • Top 10 NL batter three times. • Top 5 AL DH once. • Top NL OF three times 1995 (15.9), 1998 (15.5), 2001 (16.0). • Top 10 NL OF 7 times. |
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| Jose Valverde | 46.7 | 1 |
| • 30th in career BTPs among CPs since 1995. • Top NL closer 2008. • Top 5 NL closer twice. • Top 5 AL closer 2010. |
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| Omar Vizquel | 42.2* | 3 |
| • 11th in career BTPs among SSs since 1995. • Top 5 AL SS twice. • Top 5 NL SS once. |
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| ALREADY IN: Players IBWAA voters have already voted to Hall of Fame | ||
| Player | Career BTP | Year on ballot |
| Barry Bonds | 153.2* | 8 |
| • Steroids. • 4th among all batters in career BTPs since 1995. • Would have 230 BTP if career rom 1986 were tracked. • Top 10 overall player three times. • Top NL batter twice, 1999 (15.2), 2002 (20.7). • Top 10 NL batter 10 times. • Top 10 NL OF 10 times. |
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| Roger Clemens | 164.8* | 8 |
| • Steroids. • 14th among all pitchers in career BTPs since 1995. • Would have 320 BTP if career from 1984 were tracked. • Top player 1997 (27.4). • Top 10 overall player three times. • Top AL pitcher twice—1997 (27.4), 1998 (25.8). • Top 10 AL pitcher seven times. • Top 10 NL pitcher once. |
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Of the six players, only one is in his first year on the ballot—Jeter. The other five all return after not receiving the necessary votes to make the hall. And one of those five, Walker, is in his 10th and final year on the ballot.
Among players on the IBWAA ballot for whom Box-Toppers is not voting for induction are:
This ballot is separate from the “official” ballot conducted by the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) for actual induction into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. While the official writers’ ballot includes 32 players, the internet writers’ ballot includes 30. That’s because two players still on the official writers’ ballot have already been inducted by the internet writers—Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. (Box-Toppers would not have voted either to the Hall because of their ties to performance enhancing drugs.)
The chart on this page shows a brief Box-Toppers-focused biographical synopsis of each of the 32 players on the official BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot.
In general, Box-Toppers favors players for Hall induction who have at least 100 career Box-Toppers points and/or have led their league’s batters or pitchers in points for at least one season (see the Details Leader page for Box-Toppers points leaders by position season-by-season). Box-Toppers also considers players whose career Box-Toppers point total puts them among the few best players of their era or players who consistently led their league in Box-Toppers points at their position. There are some instances of players—especially pitchers—who have more than 100 Box-Toppers points who Box-Toppers didn’t deem worthy of Hall induction. That’s because despite their career accomplishment, they weren’t necessarily ever among the top players in any season or any era.
Here is a look at players Box-Toppers is voting for Hall induction:
Todd Helton
The first baseman who played from 1997 to 2013 for the Rockies has 116.4 career Box-Toppers points, 14th among all batters since 1995 and fifth among all first basemen since 1995.
He led NL batters in Box-Toppers points in two different seasons—2000 (15.2) and 2001 (17.0). He led NL first basemen in points four straight seasons from 1999 to 2002.
He was among the top 10 overall players in 2001 (ranking eighth with 17.0 points) and was among the top 10 NL batters in five seasons and a top five NL first basemen six times. This is Helton’s second year on the ballot. Box-Toppers also voted for him last year.
Derek Jeter
The shortstop who played from 1995 to 2014 for the Yankees has 76.4 career Box-Toppers points, second among all shortstops since 1995, behind only Miguel Tejada (102.3).
While Jeter is widely acclaimed and will likely be only the second player to be voted unanimously to the Hall, for Box-Toppers he is an edge case. He does have the most career Box-Toppers points at his position of any player who has not been tainted by the steroids scandal (Tejada). But he never led AL shortstops in Box-Toppers points in any season.
He was among the top five for six seasons, ranking as high as second in 1998 (10.0) and 2004 (8.7). He ranked among the top 10 AL batters once (in 1998, his 10.0 points ranked 10th).
Jeter did earn Box-Toppers points for 17 straight seasons (1996-2012), tied for the ninth-longest such streak in Box-Toppers tracking history.
From a Box-Toppers standpoint, Jeter had a slightly better career than Nomar Garciaparra (ranked third among shortstops in Box-Toppers points with 74.9). Garciaparra actually led AL shortstops in Box-Toppers points in two seasons. Garciaparra was not voted in the Hall of Fame.
But of course, Jeter won Rookie of the Year in 1995, won five World Series, was a 14-time All-Star and was a World Series MVP. Jeter’s greatness may be magnified by the fact he played on teams with great players. By the same token, his overall career Box-Toppers point total may be diminished by the fact he played with such great players who consistently beat him out of winning Player of the Game honors with better performances.
While Box-Toppers’ vote is not entirely enthusiastic for Jeter for the Hall, it is still a vote in favor and so will not detract from his inevitable unanimous selection.
Jeff Kent
The second baseman who played from 1992 to 2008 for the Mets, Giants, Astros and Dodgers has 109.7 career Box-Toppers points since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began, which is most among all second basemen in that span.
Kent’s career started in 1992, before the advent of Box-Toppers tracking, and estimates put his actual career total at 125 points. Still, given his career points since 1995, he ranks 17th among all batters.
He led NL second basemen in Box-Toppers points in six different seasons and was among the top five NL second basemen 11 times. He ranked among the top 10 NL batters twice.
Despite his sustained offensive excellence and his dominance among all players at second base over the past quarter century (the second-place second basemen since 1995 is Robinson Cano of the Mets with 85.4—which is 24.3 points behind), Kent has not been elected to the Hall in six previous tries.
Curt Schilling
The starting pitcher played from 1988 to 2007 primarily for the Phillies, Diamondbacks and Red Sox and has 193.1 career Box-Toppers points, ninth among all players since 1995. If his entire career from 1988 were tracked, Schilling would have an estimated 232 career points.
Schilling never led his league’s pitchers in Box-Toppers points, despite some impressive season totals, including four seasons with more than 20 points. His best season was 2002 with the Diamondbacks, when he had 28.4 Box-Toppers points (the 10th-highest single-season point total since 1995), which was second among NL pitchers that season, behind teammate Randy Johnson, who had 33.7, most points in a single season by any player.
Schilling finished in the top 10 among all players five times, actually finishing among the top four in each of those seasons. He was among his league’s top 10 pitchers nine times (eight times in the NL, once in the AL).
Schilling has been passed over for Hall induction seven times. Some criticize that he never won a Cy Young Award and never was his era’s dominant pitcher. That’s true, but he pitched at the same time as Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Johan Santana, Greg Maddux, John Smoltz and others. Some criticize his public statements after his career about politics and steroids, yet no one seems to have accused him of violating any baseball rules.
Schilling had a great career that is Hall of Fame worthy and though he was slightly overshadowed by other sure-fire Hall of Famers in the regular season, he also proved himself in the postseason. He is a three-time World Series champion and a World Series Most Valuable Player in 2001 with the Diamondbacks. Only two retired players rank ahead of him in Box-Toppers “all-time” rankings, Johnson and Martinez, both of whom are in the Hall.
Schilling, despite his flaws, got the job done and belongs there, too.
Billy Wagner
The closing pitcher played from 1995 to 2010 primarily for the Astros, Mets, Phillies and Braves and has 108.7 career Box-Toppers points, third among all closing pitchers since 1995, behind Trevor Hoffman (129.4) and Mariano Rivera (126.4), both Hall of Famers.
He led NL closing pitchers in Box-Toppers points three times, 1998 (12.0) and 1999 (15.0) with the Astros and in 2010 (13.0) with the Braves. He was among the top five NL closers seven times and was among the top 10 overall NL pitchers twice.
Wagner has been passed over for Hall induction for four years.
Larry Walker
The outfielder played from 1989 to 2005 with the Rockies, Expos and Cardinals and has 100.1 career Box-Toppers points, 11th among all outfielders since 1995. He would have an estimated 135 Box-Toppers points if his entire career from 1989 were tracked, which would be more than Hall-of-Famer Vladimir Guerrero (128.3).
He was top NL batter in 1997 with the Rockies with 18.5 Box-Toppers points. He was twice among the overall top 10 players in a season, three times among the top 10 NL batters in a season and six times among the top 10 outfielders in a season. This is his 10th and final year on the Hall ballot, as he’s been passed over by voters for nine years.
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Here are players Box-Toppers is not voting for Hall induction:
Bobby Abreu—The outfielder played from 1996 to 2014 primarily for the Phillies, Angels and Yankees and has 95.5 career Box-Toppers points, 15th among all outfielders since 1995. He was never among his league’s top three outfielders in any season, but ranked among the top 10 NL outfielders twice (1998 and 2003) and among the top 10 AL outfielders three times (2006, 2007 and 2008). He also was among the overall top 10 AL batters in 2008 with the Yankees (ninth, 9.2 points).
Josh Beckett—The starting pitcher played from 2001 to 2014 for the Red Sox, Marlins and Dodgers and has 114.9 career Box-Toppers points, 38th among all pitchers since 1995. He never led his league’s pitchers in Box-Toppers points, but ranked among the top 10 AL pitchers four times and the top 10 NL pitchers once. He also ranked among the top 10 overall players once (2011 with the Red Sox, 10th place with 17.0 points).
Heath Bell—The closing pitcher played from 2004 to 2014 primarily for the Padres and Mets and has 24.0 career Box-Toppers points, 90th among all closing pitchers since 1995. He ranked second among NL closing pitchers in 2009 with the Padres (9.0 points).
Eric Chavez—The third baseman played from 1998 to 2014 for the Athletics, Diamondbacks and Yankees and has 60.8 career Box-Toppers points, 13th among all third basemen since 1995. He led AL third basemen in 2001 with 12.2 points with the Athletics. He ranked among the top five AL third basemen three times (2001, 2002 and 2005) and among the top 10 AL batters twice (2001 and 2005).
Adam Dunn—The outfielder played from 2001 to 2014 primarily for the Reds, White Sox and Nationals and has 94.3 career Box-Toppers points, 17th among all outfielders since 1995. He led NL batters and NL outfielders in 2005 with the Reds (14.7 points). He was a top 10 NL batter twice (2004 and 2005). He was a top 10 NL outfielder three times (2004, 2005 and 2007). He was a top five NL first basemen in 2010 with the Nationals and a top five AL designated hitter in 2012 with the White Sox.
Chone Figgins—The third baseman played from 2002 to 2014 primarily for the Angels and Mariners and has 22.4 career Box-Toppers points, 81st among all third basemen since 1995. In his best season, 2009 with the Angels, he had 5.5 points, fifth among AL third basemen.
Rafael Furcal—The shortstop played from 2000 to 2014 primarily for the Braves, Dodgers and Cardinals and has 31.0 career Box-Toppers points, 24th among shortstops since 1995. In his best season, 2005 with the Braves, he had 5.5 points, third among NL shortstops.
Andruw Jones—The outfielder played from 1996 to 2012 primarily for the Braves and Yankees and has 96.5 career Box-Toppers points, 14th among outfielders since 1995. Jones is an edge case for the Hall. He nearly reached the 100-point career Box-Toppers threshold. He was among the top three NL outfielders twice (2005, third with 11.5 and 2006, first with 12.7), both seasons he was among the NL’s top 10 batters. He was among the top 10 NL outfielders six times. And despite the fact that he had more than 20 points more than Derek Jeter (who I am voting for the Hall), Jones was not as consistent of a leader at his position and fell just short of the 100-point career threshold, so I leave him off the ballot again this year.
Paul Konerko—The first baseman played from 1997 to 2014 primarily for the White Sox and has 100.7 career Box-Toppers points, 10th among first basemen since 1995. Konerko does squeak over the 100 Box-Toppers point threshold that we seek for Hall candidates, but he is not among the career leaders at his position and he never led AL first basemen in Box-Toppers points in any season, so we leave him off the Hall ballot. He ranked among the top 10 AL batters three times (2005, eighth with 10.5; 2006, eighth with 11.4 and 2010, third with 11.0). He was among the top five AL first basemen four times, ranking as high as second in 2010. (Box-Toppers does have him listed as top AL third baseman in 2000, but he only played seven of his 143 games at that position.)
Jason Giambi—I’m disqualifying Giambi for consideration because of his ties to the steroids era. The first baseman and designated hitter played from 1995 to 2013 for the Athletics, Yankees, Rockies and Indians and has 133.4 career Box-Toppers points, ninth among all batters since 1995, third among first basemen. In 2002 with the Yankees, he led AL batters, AL first basemen and AL designated hitters with 17.0 points. He also ranked sixth overall that year. He ranked among the overall top 10 players twice (2000 with the Athletics and 2002 with the Yankees). He was among the top 10 AL batters four times (2000, 2002, 2005 and 2006), the top five AL first basemen five times and the top five AL designated hitters five times. Giambi earned Box-Toppers points in 19 consecutive seasons from 1995 to 2013, tied for the longest such streak. If Giambi had achieved these milestones without the use of steroids, Box-Toppers would vote him to the Hall.
Raul Ibanez—The outfielder played from 1996 to 2014 primarily for the Mariners, Royals and Phillies and has 89.7 career Box-Toppers points, 20th among outfielders since 1995. In his best season, 2002 with the Royals, he had 15.2 points, fifth among AL batters, third among AL first basemen, second among AL outfielders and third among AL designated hitters. He was among the top three AL outfielders twice (2002 with the Royals and 2007 with the Mariners) and among the top AL outfielders four times. He also ranked among the top 10 AL batters twice and the top 10 NL outfielders once (2009 with the Phillies).
Cliff Lee—The pitcher played from 2002 to 2014 primarily for the Indians and Phillies and has 119.1 career Box-Toppers points, 34th among all pitchers since 1995. While he does have 100 career Box-Toppers points, he never led his league’s pitchers in Box-Toppers points in any season, though in 2011 with the Phillies, he ranked second overall with 25.4 points, just 0.7 points behind the season’s overall leader, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (26.1). Lee’s 25.4 points that season is the 26th-highest single-season point total since 1995. Lee was among the top 10 overall players twice (in 2011 and in 2010, when he was sixth overall with 17.4 points). He ranked among the top 10 AL pitchers twice (2008 and 2010) and top 10 NL pitchers twice (2009 and 2011).
Carlos Pena—The first baseman played from 2001 to 2014 primarily for the Rays, Tigers and Rangers and has 64.3 career Box-Toppers points, 28th among all first basemen since 1995. He ranked 10th among AL batters in 2009 with 10.5 points with the Rays. He was among the top five AL first basemen for four straight seasons from 2007 to 2010, ranking as high as third place three times.
Brad Penny—The starting pitcher played from 2000 to 2014 primarily for the Marlins, Dodgers and Giants and has 76.1 career Box-Toppers points, 90th among all pitchers since 1995. Penny ranked eighth among NL pitchers in 2007 with the Dodgers when he had 12.7 points, his best season.
Andy Pettitte—The starting pitcher played from 1995 to 2013 for the Yankees and Astros and has 138.5 career Box-Toppers points, 23rd among all pitchers since 1995. He was among the top 10 AL pitchers four times, but never ranked higher than eighth place, including 2002, when he had 11.7 points. Despite being a key piece of the Yankees dynasty, helping to win five World Series championships, Pettitte’s regular seasons, while commendable, are not dominant enough for Hall induction.
J.J. Putz—The closing pitcher played from 2003 to 2014 primarily for the Mariners and Diamondbacks and had 52.7 career Box-Toppers points, 24th among all closing pitchers since 1995. He led AL closers in two seasons (2006 with 12.0 points and 2007 with 12.7 points, both with the Mariners), but had relatively low point totals in most of his other seasons. He did rank among the top 10 AL closers in those two seasons and also ranked second among NL closers in 2011 with the Diamondbacks.
Manny Ramirez—I’m disqualifying Ramirez for consideration because of his ties to the steroids era. Other voters are, too, as this is his fourth year of Hall eligibility. He played from 1993 to 2011 primarily for the Red Sox, Indians and Dodgers and has 167.2 career Box-Toppers points, 15th among all players since 1995 and third among all batters. (He would have an estimated 173 points if his career from 1993 were tracked.) He was top AL batter in 1999 with the Indians (19.9), top AL outfielder three times and top NL outfielder once. He ranked among the overall top 10 players twice, his league’s top 10 batters eight times, his league’s top 10 outfielders 10 times and was a top five AL designated hitter three times. Without the steroid cloud, Box-Toppers would vote Ramirez for the Hall.
Brian Roberts—The second baseman played from 2001 to 2014 primarily for the Orioles and has 35.9 career Box-Toppers points, 26th among all second basemen since 1995. He ranked ninth among AL batters in 2009 with 10.7 points, his best season. He ranked among the top five AL second basemen twice, in 2007 and 2009, ranking second each time.
Scott Rolen—The third basemen played from 1996 to 2012 primarily for the Phillies, Cardinals and Reds and has 97.6 career Box-Toppers points, fifth among all third basemen since 1995. While he did lead NL third basemen three times (2002 with 10.0 points, 2004 with 13.5 points and 2010 with 12.0 points), he fell just short of 100 career Box-Toppers points. He also ranked among the top 10 NL batters three times and among the top five NL third basemen six times.
Gary Sheffield—I’m disqualifying Sheffield for consideration because of his ties to the steroids era. Other voters are, too, as this is his sixth year of Hall eligibility. He played from 1988 to 2009 for the Marlins, Dodgers, Brewers, Yankees, Braves, Padres, Tigers and Mets and has 124.1 career points since 1995, 11th among all batters. He would have an estimated 155 career points if his entire career from 1988 were tracked. Sheffield led AL batters in 2004 with the Yankees when he had 16.2 points. He led NL outfielders in 2000 with the Dodgers when he had 14.2 points. He was among the top 10 overall players once, was among his league’s top 10 batters six times, his league’s top 10 outfielders six times and was a top five AL designated hitter once. Without the steroid cloud, Box-Toppers would vote Sheffield for the Hall.
Alfonso Soriano—The left fielder, who also played second base, played from 1999 to 2014 primarily for the Cubs, Yankees and Rangers. He has 82.4 career Box-Toppers points, 25th among all outfielders since 1995. He led AL outfielders in 2013 with the Yankees (12.9 points). He ranked third among NL outfielders in 2006 with the Nationals (10.5 points). In 2013, he ranked second among AL batters and in 2006, he ranked 10th among NL batters. He also ranked among the top five AL second basemen four times, from 2002 to 2005, ranking as high as second. While Soriano was among leaders at his position for a few seasons, his career point total, while commendable, falls short of Hall-of-Fame worthiness.
Sammy Sosa—I’m disqualifying Sosa for consideration because of his ties to the steroids era. Other voters are, too, as this is his eighth year of Hall eligibility. Sosa played from 1989 to 2007 for the Cubs, White Sox, Rangers and Orioles and has 113.2 career Box-Toppers points, 16th among all batters since 1995. He would have an estimated 134 points if his entire career from 1989 were tracked. Sosa led NL batters in points in two seasons, both with the Cubs—1995 (15.9) and 1998 (15.5). He led NL outfielders three times. He was among the top 10 overall players once, a top 10 NL batter three times, a top 10 NL outfielder seven times and a top five AL designated hitter once. Without the steroid cloud, Box-Toppers would vote Sosa for the Hall.
Jose Valverde—The closing pitcher played from 2003 to 2014 primarily for the Diamondbacks, Tigers and Astros and had 46.7 career Box-Toppers points, 30th among all closers since 1995. He led NL closers in 2008 with the Astros (11.0 points), his best season. He ranked among the top five NL closers twice and top five AL closers once (2010).
Omar Vizquel—The shortstop played from 1989 to 2012 primarily for the Indians, Mariners, Giants and White Sox. He had 42.2 career Box-Toppers points since 1995, 11th among all shortstops since 1995. Vizquel ranked among the top five AL shortstops in Box-Toppers points twice and among the top five NL shortstops once.
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There are two other players on the “official” BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot who do not appear on the IBWAA ballot because they already received the necessary 75 percent of internet writers’ vote for unofficial induction.
Box-Toppers would vote for neither of the two—Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens:
Barry Bonds—I would disqualify Bonds for consideration because of his ties to the steroids era, as BBWAA voters have done so far for each of the seven years of his Hall eligibility. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007 for the Giants and Pirates and has 153.2 career Box-Toppers points since 1995, fourth among all batters. He would have an estimated 230 career points if his entire career from 1986 were tracked. Bonds led NL batters in points twice, both with the Giants in 1999 (15.2) and 2002 (20.7). He was a top 10 NL batter and top 10 NL outfielder 10 times and was an overall top 10 player three times. Bonds received 59.1 percent of BBWAA writers’ votes in 2019, short of the 75 percent needed for election. Without the steroid cloud, Box-Toppers would vote Bonds for the Hall.
Roger Clemens—I would disqualify Clemens for consideration because of his ties to the steroids era, as BBWAA voters have done so far for each of the seven years of his Hall eligibility. Clemens played from 1984 to 2007 for the Red Sox, Yankees, Astros and Blue Jays and earned 164.8 Box-Toppers points since 1995, 14th among all pitchers. He would have an estimated 320 points if his entire career from 1984 were tracked. Clemens led all players in points in 1997 with the Blue Jays (27.4) and led AL pitchers in points twice, in both 1997 and 1998 (25.8), both the the Blue Jays. He was among the top 10 overall players three times and was among his league’s top 10 pitchers eight times. Clemens received 59.5 percent of BBWAA writers’ votes in 2019, short of the 75 percent needed for election. Without the steroid cloud, Box-Toppers would vote Clemens for the Hall.
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Players are eligible to be included on the Hall of Fame ballot if they played at least 10 years and have not been playing for five years. They require a 75-percent vote to be inducted in the hall. If they do not reach 75 percent, they remain on the writers’ ballot for 10 seasons. Also, if they don’t receive at least 5 percent of writers’ votes, they are removed from the following year’s ballot.
BBWAA voters are allowed to vote for up to 10 candidates for official Hall induction. IBWAA voters this year are allowed to vote for up to 12. Box-Toppers is voting for six of the 30 listed candidates.
About Box-Toppers—Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. In regular season games, players earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.
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Related
Box-Toppers’ Hall of Fame vote from last year (2019)
How 2019 Hall of Fame candidates fared in Box-Toppers (from January 2019)