Although the Oakland A’s have five former members of the organization on the 2021 Hall of Fame ballot, none of them are going to be enshrined.
The announcement of the Hall of Fame ballot is an exciting time for every fanbase. It is a chance to look back at some of the players that played for the franchise, and hope that maybe they can get their due. For the Oakland A’s, there are five former players on the ballot that are seeking immortality.
However, it does not seem likely that any of them will be inducted. While each of these players had excellent careers, they did not have the type of production that would lead to Cooperstown. In the case of the one player that does, PEDs have tainted his accomplishments.
Normally, Manny Ramirez would be a sure-fire Hall of Famer. His .312/.411/.585 batting line, along with 555 homers and 1831 RBI, would seemingly lead to his induction. However, the one time A’s minor leaguer had been suspended twice for PED usage, effectively ending his chances at induction.
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Nick Swisher also finds himself on the ballot, albeit for the first time. The former All Star spent a dozen years in the majors, posting a respectable .249/.351/.447 batting line with 307 doubles and 245 homers. However, it is unlikely that Swisher will even receive a vote, let alone remain on the ballot for a second year.
The same could be said for two of the A’s former trio of pitchers. Barry Zito had an excellent run in Oakland, but his career flamed out with the Giants. The 2003 Cy Young winner and three time All Star posted a lifetime 165-143 record with a 4.04 ERA and a 1.337 WHiP, striking out 1885 batters with 1064 walks in his 2576.2 innings.
Dan Haren was also a solid pitcher, but not a Hall of Fame caliber arm. He was also a three time All Star, posting a 153-131 record with a 3.75 ERA and a 1.181 WHiP. Haren struck out 2013 batters with 500 walks in his 2419.2 innings, and even notched a save back in 2013.
If any of the A’s newcomers receive a second year on the ballot, it would be Tim Hudson. He was a four time All Star, a solid pitcher throughout his 17 years in the majors. Overall, Hudson posted a 222-133 record along with a 3.49 ERA and a 1.239 WHiP, striking out 2080 batters with only 917 walks in his 3126.2 innings.
The Oakland A’s have 37 former players that have been inducted in the MLB Hall of Fame. It seems unlikely that this number will increase in 2021.