Will New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera become the first unanimous selection for baseball’s Hall of Fame? Will Mariners slugger Edgar Martinez cash in on his last year on the main ballot? Is this the year enough voters will move past the steroid taint and elect Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens? We have all the angles covered on the Class of 2019.
Key dates
Dec. 31, 2018 — Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) ballots due
Jan. 22, 2019 — Voting results announced
July 21, 2019 — Cooperstown induction ceremony
Analyzing the Top Class of 2019 Candidates
• Law: My first Hall of Fame ballot (ESPN+)
• Kahrl: Five key stats for hitters on ballot
• Schoenfield: Breaking down 20 new names on ballot
• Jaffe (ESPN+): How defense helps (or hurts) players on HOF ballot
• Hall of Fame trivia: How well do you know this year’s candidates?
Baines, Smith selected by Today’s Game Era committee
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Lee Smith and Harold Baines speak with Tim Kurkjian and Eduardo Perez about the HOF and how honored they are to represent the closer and DH positions.
• Schoenfield: Examining surprising calls for Baines, Smith
• Doolittle: One lesson from Baines’ call for Harper, Machado (ESPN+)