As the 2021 Major League Baseball (MLB) season winds down, fans and analysts alike are already looking ahead to the 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees. Though it’s too soon to make any definitive predictions, there are a few players who have already made waves and are likely to be inducted in the coming years. With that in mind, this article will take an in-depth look at possible 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees and what it takes to get into Cooperstown.
What Does it Take to Get Into the Hall of Fame?
Before diving into the potential 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees, it’s important to understand what makes a player eligible for induction. Generally, players must have been retired from the MLB for at least five years before they can be considered for induction. Additionally, all players must be on the Hall of Fame ballot to be considered. To be eligible for the ballot, a player must have played at least 10 seasons of professional baseball, be retired for at least five years, and have been voted on by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA).
The Voting Process
The voting process for the Baseball Hall of Fame is a lengthy one. Each year, the BBWAA holds a secret ballot where writers vote for up to 10 players they believe should be inducted into the Hall. To be inducted, a player must receive at least 75% of the vote from the BBWAA. If a player does not receive the necessary votes in their first year, they can be placed on the ballot for up to 15 years. After that, the player will be removed from consideration.
The Players
Now that we’ve gone over the basics of the Hall of Fame voting process, let’s take a look at some of the possible 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees.
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is arguably one of the greatest closers of all time. During his 19-year career with the New York Yankees, Rivera was named an All-Star 13 times and won five World Series championships. He also holds the record for most career saves with 652, and was the first player ever to be unanimously elected to the Hall of Fame in 2019. Given his illustrious career and the fact that he was inducted in just his first year of eligibility, it’s likely that Rivera will be a 2022 Hall of Fame inductee.
Albert Pujols
Another likely 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee is Albert Pujols. During his 20-year career, Pujols was a nine-time All-Star, three-time National League MVP, and two-time World Series champion. He also holds the record for most career home runs by a foreign-born player with 667 and is currently fifth on the all-time home run list. With his impressive career and first-ballot status, Pujols is almost certain to be a 2022 Hall of Famer.
Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds is one of the greatest hitters of all time. During his 22-year career, Bonds was a 14-time All-Star, seven-time National League MVP, and eight-time Gold Glove Award winner. He also holds the record for most career home runs with 762. Despite his impressive career, Bonds has been snubbed from the Hall of Fame due to his alleged involvement in the use of performance-enhancing drugs. However, many believe that Bonds is deserving of induction and that 2022 could be the year he finally gets in.
Ichiro Suzuki
Ichiro Suzuki is one of the most prolific hitters in the history of the MLB. During his 18-year career, Ichiro was an All-Star 10 times, won three Gold Glove Awards, and was named the 2001 American League MVP. He also holds the record for most hits in a single season with 262, and is fourth on the all-time hits list with 3,089. Given his impressive career and first-ballot eligibility, Ichiro is likely to be a 2022 Hall of Fame inductee.
Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter is one of the most iconic players in MLB history. During his 20-year career, Jeter was a 14-time All-Star, five-time World Series champion, and 2000 World Series MVP. He also holds the record for most hits by a shortstop with 3,465 and is sixth on the all-time hits list with 3,465. Given his impressive career and first-ballot eligibility, Jeter is almost certain to be a 2022 Hall of Fame inductee.
Chipper Jones
Chipper Jones is one of the greatest switch-hitters of all time. During his 19-year career, Jones was an eight-time All-Star, 1999 National League MVP, and 1995 World Series champion. He also holds the record for most career home runs by a switch-hitter with 468 and is tenth on the all-time home run list. Given his impressive career and first-ballot eligibility, Jones is likely to be a 2022 Hall of Fame inductee.
Jim Thome
Jim Thome is one of the most prolific power hitters of all time. During his 22-year career, Thome was a five-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and a member of the 500 Home Run Club. He also holds the record for most walk-off home runs with 13 and is eighth on the all-time home run list. Given his impressive career and first-ballot eligibility, Thome is likely to be a 2022 Hall of Fame inductee.
Conclusion
The 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees are still far from being determined, but there are a few players who are likely to be inducted. These players include Mariano Rivera, Albert Pujols, Barry Bonds, Ichiro Suzuki, Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones, and Jim Thome. Each of these players has had an impressive career and is first-ballot eligible, making them prime candidates for induction. With that said, only time will tell who will ultimately be inducted into the Hall of Fame.