Box-Toppers is voting for nine players to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in the 2022 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) 2022 Hall of Fame selections. The ballot requires voters to pick as many as 12 candidates—Box-Toppers chose nine. (In the "official" vote by the Baseball Writers Association of America—BBWAA—voters can pick as many as 10 candidates.) There are 30 candidates on the BBWAA ballot but only 28 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 nine 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 | 4 |
| • 14th among all batters in career BTPs since 1995, 6th among all first basemen. • Top 10 overall player in 2001 (17.0). • Top NL batter 2 times—2000 (15.2), 2001 (17.0). • Top 10 NL batter 5 times. • Top NL 1B 4 times from 1999-2002. • Top 5 NL 1B 6 times. |
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| Tim Hudson | 157.0 | 2 |
| • Ranks 20th overall in career BTPs since 1995. • Ranks 16th among pitchers in career BTPs since 1995. • Top AL pitcher 2001 (18.8). • Top 10 overall player three times. |
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| Torii Hunter | 115.9 | 2 |
| • Ranks 15th among all batters in career BTPs and 5th among all OFs since 1995. • Led AL OFs 2008 (12.4). • Top 10 AL batter four times. • Top 10 AL OF nine times. |
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| Jeff Kent | 110.2* | 9 |
| • Top-ranked 2B in career points since 1995. • Ranks 17th among all batters in career BTPs 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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| Tim Lincecum | 115.0 | 1 |
| • Ranks 39th among pitchers in career BTPs since 1995. • Top NL pitcher 2009 (19.7). • Top 10 overall player 4 times. |
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| Jake Peavy | 141.8 | 1 |
| • Ranks 31st among all players in career BTPs since 1995, 23rd among pitchers. • Led all players 2007 (23.4). • Top NL pitcher 2007 (23.4). • Top 10 player 2005, 2007. • Top 10 NL pitcher 5 times (2004-2008). |
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| Curt Schilling | 194.1* | 10 |
| • 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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| Mark Teixeira | 101.3 | 1 |
| • 24th among all batters in career BTPs since 1995, 9th among 1B since 1995. • Top 10 AL batters 3 times. • Led AL 1B 2011 (9.0). • Top 5 AL 1B 8 times. • Top 5 NL 1B, 2007. |
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| Billy Wagner | 108.7 | 7 |
| • 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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| NO: Players Box-Toppers is not voting for Hall of Fame | ||
| Player | Career BTP | Year on ballot |
| Bobby Abreu | 95.5 | 3 |
| • 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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| Mark Buehrle | 116.7 | 2 |
| • Ranks 38th in career BTPs among all pitchers since 1995. • Top 10 overall 2005. • Top 10 AL pitcher twice. | ||
| Carl Crawford | 52.7 | 1 |
| • 67th in career BTPs among OFs since 1995. • Top 10 AL OF four times. |
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| Prince Fielder | 81.8 | 1 |
| • Ranks 13th in career BTPs among all 1Bs since 1995. • Top NL batter 2011 (15.7). • Top 10 AL batter twice, 2013, 2015. • Top 5 NL 1B twice, 2007, 2011. • Top 5 AL 1B twice, 2013, 2015. |
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| Ryan Howard | 98.7 | 1 |
| • Ranks 12th in career BTPs among all 1Bs since 1995. • Top NL 10 batter 5 times. Top NL 1B 2007 (11.2). • Top 5 NL 1B 7 times. |
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| Andruw Jones | 96.5 | 5 |
| • Ranks 14th in career BTPs among all OFs since 1995. • Top 10 NL batter twice. • Top 10 NL OF 6 times. |
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| Justin Morneau | 74.3 | 1 |
| • Ranks 22nd in career BTPs among all 1Bs since 1995. • Led AL 1Bs 2007 (10.5) • Top 10 AL batter twice. • Top 5 AL 1B 4 times. • Top 5 AL DH 2009. |
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| Andy Pettitte | 138.5 | 4 |
| • 24th in career BTPs among all pitchers since 1995. • Top 10 AL pitcher 4 times, never higher than 8th. |
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| Joe Nathan | 52.0 | 1 |
| • 28th in career BTPs among all closing pitchers since 1995. • Top 5 AL CP 3 times. |
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| David Ortiz | 145.9 | 1 |
| • Steroids. • 28th in career BTPs among all players since 1995, 8th among all batters. • Top 10 player 2006. • Top AL batter 2005 (14.7), 2006 (16.7). • Top 10 AL batter 6 times. • Top AL DH 3 times 2005 (14.7), 2006 (16.7), 2013 (12.4). • Top AL DH 10 times. |
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| Jonathan Papelbon | 54.4 | 1 |
| • 22nd in career BTPs among all closing pitchers since 1995. • Top 5 NL CP, 2012. |
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| A.J. Pierzynski | 47.2 | 1 |
| • 12th in career BTPs among all catchers since 1995. • Top 5 AL catcher 5 times. |
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| Manny Ramirez | 166.2* | 6 |
| • Steroids. • 16th 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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| Alex Rodriguez | 187.0* | 1 |
| • Steroids. • 10th in career BTPs among all players since 1995, 2nd among all batters. • Top 10 players, 2000 & 2007. • Top AL batter 2007 (18.9). • Top 10 AL batter 10 times. • Top AL shortstop 5 times, 1996 (11.2), 1999 (13.7), 2000 (17.0), 2001 (12.5), 2002 (15.2). • Top 5 AL SS 8 times. • Top AL 3B twice, 2005 (11.9), 2007 (18.9). • Top 5 AL 3B 7 times. • Top 5 AH DH 2015 (13.9). |
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| Scott Rolen | 97.6 | 5 |
| • 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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| Jimmy Rollins | 50.4 | 1 |
| • 9th in career BTPs among all shortstops since 1995. • Top NL SS 2008 (7.0). • Top 5 NL SS 6 times. |
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| Gary Sheffield | 124.1* | 8 |
| • 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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| Sammy Sosa | 113.2* | 10 |
| • 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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| Omar Vizquel | 42.2* | 5 |
| • 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 | 152.2* | 10 |
| • Steroids. • 5th 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* | 10 |
| • 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 nine players, three are in their first year on the ballot—Lincecum, Peavy and Teixeira. The other six all return after not receiving the necessary votes to make the hall last year, including Schilling, who is on the ballot for his 10th and final year.
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 30 players, the internet writers’ ballot includes 28. 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 30 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. 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 and sixth among all first basemen since 1995.
He led National League 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 fourth year on the ballot. Box-Toppers has voted for him each year.
Tim Hudson
The pitcher who played from 1999 to 2015 for the Braves, Athletics and Giants has 157.0 career Box-Toppers points, 20th among all players since 1995 and 16th among pitchers in that span.
Hudson led all American League pitchers in 2001 with the Athletics when he had 18.8 points. He was a top 10 overall player in Box-Toppers points three times—2000 (16.1), 2001 (18.8) and 2003 (17.7), all with the Athletics.
Torii Hunter
The outfielder who played from 1997 to 2015 for the Twins, Angels and Tigers has 115.9 career Box-Toppers points, 15th among all batters since 1995, fifth among all outfielders in that span.
Hunter led all AL outfielders in 2008 with 12.4 points with the Angels. He was a top 10 AL batter four times—2002 (11.5, ranked seventh) and 2007 (9.5, ranked 10th) with the Twins and 2008 (12.4, ranked second) and 2010 (8.5, ranked 10th) with the Angels. He was among the top 10 AL outfielders in Box-Toppers points nine times.
Jeff Kent
The second baseman who played from 1992 to 2008 for the Mets, Giants, Astros and Dodgers has 110.2 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—1997 (11.2), 1998 (10.0), 2000 (12.9), 2001 (9.2), 2002 (10.9), all with the Giants and 2004 (7.5) with the Astros. Kent was among the top five NL second basemen 11 times. He ranked among the top 10 NL batters twice—2000 (12.9, ranked fourth) and 2002 (10.9, ranked sixth), both with the Giants.
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 24.8 points behind), Kent has not been elected to the Hall in eight previous tries.
Tim Lincecum
The starting pitcher who played 2007 to 2016 for the Giants and Angels has 115.0 career Box-Toppers points, 39th among all pitchers since 1995.
Lincecum led NL pitchers in 2009 with 19.7 Box-Toppers points. He was among the top 10 overall players four times—2008 (17.7, ranked second), 2009 (19.7, ranked third), 2010 (16.7, ranked eighth) and 2011 (18.4 points, ranked ninth). He was also among the top six NL pitchers in each of those four consecutive seasons.
Lincecum won three World Series titles with the Giants, was a four-time All-Star and won two NL Cy Young Awards.
Though his career was comparatively brief and he had fewer career Box-Toppers points than other starting pitchers I’m not voting for the Hall of Fame, he did have more than 100 career Box-Toppers points, did lead his league’s pitchers in Box-Toppers points one season during four sustained, consecutive excellent seasons, while being a key piece in three titles for the Giants.
Jake Peavy
The starting pitcher who played 2002 to 2016 for the Padres, White Sox, Giants and Red Sox has 141.8 career Box-Toppers points, 31st among all players and 23rd among all pitchers since 1995.
Peavy led all players and all NL pitchers in 2007 with 23.4 Box-Toppers points. He was a top 10 overall player in 2007 and 2005 (17.4 points, ranked sixth). He was a top 10 NL pitcher five straight seasons, all with the Padres—2004 (12.0 points, ranked 10th), 2005 (17.4, fourth), 2006 (13.5, eighth), 2007 (23.4, first) and 2008 (12.7, eighth).
Curt Schilling
The starting pitcher played from 1988 to 2007 primarily for the Phillies, Diamondbacks and Red Sox and has 194.1 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—1997 (24.1, ranked third) and 1998 (19.0, ranked fourth) both with the Phillies and 2001 (22.7, ranked third) and 2002 (28.4, ranked third) both with the Diamondbacks. 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 nine 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 Hall-eligible retired players rank ahead of him in “all-time” career Box-Toppers points, Randy Johnson (282.5) and Pedro Martinez (244.8), both of whom are in the Hall. (Retired pitcher CC Sabathia also ranks ahead of Schilling with 203.4 Box-Toppers points, but won’t be eligible for Hall election until 2025.)
Schilling, despite his flaws, got the job done the right way when he played and belongs there, too. This is his final year of eligibility to be voted into the Hall by baseball writers.
Mark Teixeira
The first baseman played from 2003 to 2016 for the Yankees, Rangers, Braves and Angels and has 101.3 career Box-Toppers points, 24th among all batters and ninth among all first basemen since 1995.
He led AL first basemen in 2011 with the Yankees with 9.0 Box-Toppers points. He was among the top 10 AL batters three times—2004 (10.7, ranked 10th), 2009 (11.5, ranked sixth) and 2011 (9.0, ranked eighth). He ranked among AL top five first basemen in points eight times and once among top five NL first basemen (2007).
He squeaks by Box-Toppers’ guidelines for Hall induction with just over 100 career Box-Toppers points and leading his league’s position for a season. Still, he’s only one of 28 batters who has more than 100 career Box-Toppers points since 1995 and perhaps one of a dying breed. No batter has reached 100 career points since 2017 (Teixeira was next-to-last to do it in 2016) and batters began earning a precipitously lower share of Box-Toppers points compared to pitchers after 2009. Until then, from 1995 on, they earned about 50 percent or more of all points. Since then, they average 40 percent or less.
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 six years.
Box-Toppers ‘no’ votes include Ortiz, Rodriguez
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).
Mark Buehrle—The pitcher played from 2000 to 2015 for the White Sox, Blue Jays and Marlins and has 116.7 career Box-Toppers points, 38th among all pitchers since 1995. In his best season, 2005 with the White Sox, he had 17.7 Box-Toppers points, which was fifth among all players and second among AL pitchers, behind Johan Santana of the Twins (24.1). He never led AL pitchers in points and had only one other top 10 finish among AL pitchers—2004 with the White Sox when he had 12.7 points, ranked fourth.
Carl Crawford–The outfielder played from 2002 to 2016 for the Rays, Dodgers and Red Sox and has 52.7 career Box-Toppers points, 67th among all outfielders since 1995.
Crawford ranked among the top 10 AL outfielders in Box-Toppers points in four seasons.
Prince Fielder—The first baseman played from 2005 to 2016 for the Brewers, Rangers and Tigers and has 81.8 career Box-Toppers points, 13th among all first basemen since 1995.
He led NL batters in 2011 with 15.7 points. He was a top 10 AL batter twice, in 2013 and 2015. He was a top five NL first baseman twice, in 2007 and 2011 and a top five AL first baseman twice, in 2013 and 2015.
Ryan Howard—The first baseman played from 2004 to 2016 for the Phillies and has 98.7 career Box-Toppers points, 12th among all first basemen since 1995. He led NL first basemen in 2007 with 11.2 Box-Toppers points and was among the top five NL first basemen seven times and among the top 10 NL batters five times.
Howard just missed 100 career Box-Toppers points, which probably would have been enough to elevate his status to Hall of Famer for me. Mark Teixeira has very similar Box-Toppers numbers to Howard, but had merely 2.6 more Box-Toppers points, edging over the century mark (101.3) and we voted him for the Hall of Fame. But with batters collectively earning far fewer Box-Toppers points after 2010, Howard–who played until 2016–may be a case I reconsider in future years if he remains on the ballot.
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. But Jones was not a consistent leader at his position and fell just short of the 100-point career threshold, so I leave him off the ballot again in his fifth year of hall eligibility.
Justin Morneau—The first baseman played from 2003 to 2016 for the Twins, Rockies, Pirates and White Sox and has 74.3 career Box-Toppers points, 22nd among all first basemen and 10th among all designated hitters since 1995.
He led AL first basemen in 2007 with the Twins with 10.5 Box-Toppers points. He was among the top 10 AL batters twice (2006 with 12.2 points, ranked seventh and 2007 with 10.5 points, ranked seventh). He was among the top five AL first basemen four times and among the top five AL designated hitters once, in 2009 with the Twins when he had 9.2 points, ranked fifth.
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.
Joe Nathan—The closing pitcher played from 1999 to 2016 for the Twins, Giants, Rangers, Tigers and Cubs and had 52.0 career Box-Toppers points, 28th among all closing pitchers since 1995.
He was among the top five AL closing pitchers three times, all with the Twins (2005 with 7.0 points, ranked fifth, 2006 with 11.0 points, ranked second and 2013 with 6.0 points, ranked fifth).
David Ortiz—I’m withholding judgment on Ortiz at least for now because of his suspected ties to the steroids era. In 2009, the New York Times reported that Ortiz allegedly tested positive in 2003 in a confidential survey that was leaked. However, after baseball adopted a drug-testing program in 2006, Ortiz never tested positive. Still, in his first few seasons, Ortiz earned relatively few Box-Toppers points (only 3.7 total in his first four seasons) and then skyrocketed in 2004 earning 10 or more points in five of six seasons from 2004 to 2009.
I’m generally opposed to withholding a vote simply to prevent someone from being a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer. A player is either a Hall-of-Famer or not. For Ortiz, it’s not exactly clear. The leaked confidential report is suspect and there really is no other proof that Ortiz might have been a PED user.
Judging by Box-Toppers points and rankings alone, Ortiz belongs in the Hall of Fame. But because of the suspicion, I’m going to hold off this year. I could change my mind next year, which is something I’ve not done before on Hall of Fame votes. But the point could be moot because Ortiz could very well receive enough votes to be inducted this year.
The designated hitter played from 1997 to 2016 for the Red Sox and Twins and has 145.9 career Box-Toppers points, 28th among all players, eighth among all batters and second among all designated hitters since 1995. (Among DHs, he trails only Jim Thome’s 146.7 career points.)
He led AL batters twice, both with the Red Sox (2005, 14.7 points and 2006, 16.7 points). He led AL designated hitters three times (2005, 2006 and 2013 with 12.4 points). He was among the top 10 overall players in 2006 (his 16.7 points ranked fourth overall). He was a top 10 AL batter six times and a top five AL designated hitter 10 times.
Jonathan Papelbon—The closing pitcher played from 2005 to 2016 for the Red Sox, Phillies and Nationals and has 54.4 career Box-Toppers points, 22nd among all closing pitchers since 1995.
He ranked among the top five closing pitchers in 2012 with the Phillies (7.0 Box-Toppers points, ranked fifth).
A.J. Pierzynski—The catcher played from 1998 to 2016 for the White Sox, Twins, Braves, Rangers, Giants, Cardinals and Red Sox and has 47.2 career Box-Toppers points, 12th among all catchers since 1995.
He ranked among the top five AL catchers in Box-Toppers points five times—2003 with the Twins (5.5 points, ranked fifth), 2005 with the White Sox (5.0 points, ranked third), 2007 with the White Sox (4.5, ranked fifth), 2010 with the White Sox (4.0, ranked fourth) and 2012 with the White Sox (6.0, ranked fourth).
Manny Ramirez—I’m disqualifying Ramirez 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 1993 to 2011 primarily for the Red Sox, Indians and Dodgers and has 166.2 career Box-Toppers points, 16th 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.
Alex Rodriguez—I’m disqualifying Rodriguez for consideration because of his ties to the steroids era. Both Ortiz and Rodriguez are on the ballot for the first year. While my “no” vote on Ortiz may be changed to “yes” in future years, my opposition to Rodriguez is firm since his ties to the steroids era were clear, self-disclosed and punished with a yearlong suspension in 2014. Here is Box-Toppers’ career recap on Rodriguez during his final week as a player in August 2016: Bioexodus: Alex Rodriguez leaves field after long career with taint, but as active career Box-Toppers points leader.
The third baseman and shortstop played from 1994 to 2016 for the Yankees, Mariners and Rangers and has 187.0 career Box-Toppers points, 10th among all players, second among all batters and first among all third basemen since 1995.
When Rodriguez left baseball in 2016, he led all batters in career points since 1995, but now ranks second behind Albert Pujols (204.8).
He led AL batters in 2007 with the Yankees with 18.9 Box-Toppers points. That year, he ranked second among all players, one of only three times a batter has ranked as high as second overall. It was also done in 1996 by Albert Belle of the Indians (20.4 points) and 2006 by Lance Berkman of the Astros (20.8 points). Rodriguez also ranked seventh among all players in 2000 with the Mariners with 17.0 points.
Rodriguez led AL shortstops five times and led AL third basemen twice. He was among the top 10 AL batters 10 times, top five AL shortstops eight times, top five AL third basemen seven times and top five AL designated hitters five times.
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.
Jimmy Rollins–The shortstop played from 2000 to 2016 for the Phillies, Dodgers and White Sox and has 50.4 career Box-Toppers points, ninth among all shortstops since 1995.
He led NL shortstops in 2008 (7.0 Box-Toppers points) and was among the top five NL shortstops six times, all with the Phillies—2002 (5.0 points, fifth), 2003 (3.7 points, fifth), 2004 (3.5 points, fifth), 2007 (4.7 points, fourth), 2008 (7.0 points, first) and 2012 (4.0 points, fifth).
Gary Sheffield—I’m disqualifying Sheffield for consideration because of his ties to the steroids era. Other voters are, too, as this is his eighth 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.
Sammy Sosa—I’m disqualifying Sosa for consideration because of his ties to the steroids era. Other voters are, too, as this is his 10th 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.
This is his final year of eligibility to be voted into the Hall by baseball writers.
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. This is his fifth year on the Hall of Fame ballot.
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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.
They were both inducted prior to Box-Toppers voting on the IBWAA ballot and 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 nine years of his Hall eligibility. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007 for the Giants and Pirates and has 152.2 career Box-Toppers points since 1995, fifth 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 61.8 percent of BBWAA writers’ votes in 2021, short of the 75 percent needed for election. Without the steroid cloud, Box-Toppers would vote Bonds for the Hall. This is his final year of eligibility to be voted into the Hall by baseball writers.
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 nine 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 with 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 61.6 percent of BBWAA writers’ votes in 2020, short of the 75 percent needed for election. Without the steroid cloud, Box-Toppers would vote Clemens for the Hall.
This is his final year of eligibility to be voted into the Hall by baseball writers.
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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 are allowed to vote for up to 12 players. Box-Toppers is voting for nine of the 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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