Baseball Hall of Fame 2026: Winners, Losers, and the Curious Case of Andy Pettitte

Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones earn Hall of Fame induction in 2026, while Andy Pettitte gains votes despite PED past, and Manny Ramírez and Ryan Braun fall off the ballot.

Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones Earn Hall of Fame Induction

The 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame class welcomed two new centerfielders: Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones. Beltrán, despite his admitted role in the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, was elected on his fourth ballot. His career, which began with struggling Kansas City Royals teams and ended as a productive veteran in New York, St. Louis, and Texas, now culminates with Cooperstown recognition.

Andruw Jones’ induction highlights the enduring value of early-career dominance. A phenom in the truest sense, Jones earned back-to-back Minor League Player of the Year awards at 18 and 19, then hit two World Series Game 1 home runs. Although his career faded after a 51-homer season in 2005, voters ultimately recognized his exceptional talent.

Andy Pettitte: Rising Vote Share Amid PED Past

Andy Pettitte, a former pitcher and admitted PED user, saw his vote share climb to 48.5% in 2026. While his 3.85 career ERA is the highest among BBWAA-elected pitchers, his longevity and solid career stats, along with adjusted ERA rankings, make him a compelling candidate.

Pettitte’s enduring support may also reflect generational shifts in voters’ perspectives. Younger voters, less influenced by the Mitchell Report, seem more willing to weigh Pettitte’s performance over his past mistakes, while public figures like Bob Costas publicly defended him, noting his use of HGH was injury-related.

Hall of Fame Ballot Losers

Manny Ramírez

Manny Ramírez fell off the writers’ ballot after receiving 38.8% of votes. While his pre-PED career showed Hall-worthy talent, his association with steroids continues to hinder his chances. With 555 home runs, two World Series titles, and 12 All-Star selections, Ramírez’ case may now rely on the Eras Committee.

Ryan Braun

Former MVP Ryan Braun also dropped off the ballot, earning just 3.5% of votes. Despite evading major penalties for PED use during the 2011-12 offseason, Braun’s confrontations with officials and involvement in the Biogenesis scandal may have influenced voter sentiment. His 47.7 career WAR places him among notable Hall-caliber players like Jim Rice and Orlando Cepeda, but character and integrity concerns remain decisive.

The Evolution of Hall Standards

The 2026 ballot underscores shifting voter attitudes toward PEDs, career longevity, peak performance, and “integrity” criteria. Andruw Jones’ election, despite a .254 career batting average, highlights the Hall’s evolving standards, where peak talent, defensive prowess, and overall value can outweigh traditional metrics like batting average.