Sometimes, a player can lose support on the Hall of Fame ballot through no fault of their own. Multiple newcomers worthy of enshrinement can cost those players votes due to the ten player limit. Or, a player gets a vote just to keep them on the ballot for another year. This is a reality that Tim Hudson is facing.
It was already known that Hudson was not going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. He had already been eliminated from consideration as he would not get enough votes even if he was named on every ballot going forward. At this point, it was just a matter of improving his total to build some momentum for the coming years.
Tim Hudson losing support on the Hall of Fame ballot
Those coming years may not include Hudson. He has been losing support on the ballot, having lost a total of three votes already in the cycle. As he remained on the ballot by just one vote last year, each of these votes could make a major difference to his ability to get a third look.
It is a disappointing showing for a very underrated pitcher. As Ryan Fagan of the Sporting News noted, Hudson was a better pitcher during his career than Jack Morris had been. Morris found his way to the Hall of Fame, being inducted by the Veteran’s Committee, but he was never really in danger of falling off the ballot at any time. His pedigree in the postseason, and his performance in Game Seven of the 1991 World Series, earned him that spot in Cooperstown.
Hudson does not have that moment. While he was part of a championship team in 2014, he was not a dominant force in that postseason. He had a solid enough career but does not have that truly signature moment a borderline candidate would need.
That does not mean that Hudson should not be part of the conversation for the Hall of Fame. He certainly deserves a look, and far more than just two years on the ballot. However, that may not be in the cards based on the early returns.
Tim Hudson has a solid case for the Hall of Fame. The problem is that he has already lost votes that he cannot afford to be without.