2026 National Baseball Hall of Fame Vote

In an LHD on Sports Blog tradition, I am once again conveying my thoughts on who I would vote for if I had a BBWAA ballot for the 2026 National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The BBWAA vote will be revealed on Major League Baseball (MLB) Network on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.  The Hall of Fame vote reveal remains one of the most anticipated moments on the baseball calendar and certainly of the offseason.  Here is the 2026 National Baseball Hall of Fame Candidates Eligible for vote (via Baseball Reference with prior year percentage total for returning candidates).  75% of all ballots cast must include the players name for induction.

Induction Ceremony 2025

As most readers probably know, the actual voting committee is the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA).  Prior to 2016, once a member, always a vote.  In 2016, several changes to the voting process were made (see my related Blog here) culling the list of voters to those who had covered the game in the prior 10 years.  This played out to remove a number of small vote ballots and increase percentages for those on the bubble.

There are a few overarching factors to cover before we get to the specifics.

1) A major, controversial specter over the Hall will continue to be how to handle candidates associated with Performance Enhancing Drug (PED) use in baseball primarily in the 1990s and early 2000s, an era for which many players accused are now on the Hall of Fame ballot although the number is dwindling with Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte and Manny Ramirez running out of eligibility.  There are players whose on-field performance likely merits election, however because of their associated with substances that enhanced their performance, some members (a minority) of the BBWAA have been hesitant to cast votes their way.  At least in the 75% needed for induction.  Because the official voting rules include the words "integrity, sportsmanship, and character," their reluctance is justified in my mind.  For my selection, I will not presume guilt, but if there are legal findings, firsthand accounts (including Mitchell Report) or strong anecdotal evidence of PED use, I will strongly weigh against voting for the candidate.  You can count me in the "The PED STJ" type here in a blog I wrote.  A constant I hear is "how can it be a Hall of Fame without Bonds, Clemens, Pete Rose, etc."  Their accomplishments, records, videos, etc. are more than prominent in the museum portion of the Hall of Fame and museum, but down by the plaques, you won't find them there.  Did the crime, do the time.

2) A change in consideration for me is how to assess pitchers.  Whereas the 300-win plateau with a low ERA reflective of the dead ball, or pitcher dominated, eras prior to 1970 used to be a norm, it's become increasingly more difficult to get wins in the era of specialty relievers with starters leaving the game before the end of the sixth inning many times in close games.  Conversely, however, one would think this would benefit starting pitchers ERA by seldom going through a lineup more than twice in some cases, rarely more than three times.  Also, after many years of closers not being strongly considered, Mariano Rivera became the first and only to date unanimous inductee to the Hall, along with high save count Trevor Hoffman, Billy Wagner, and Lee Smith in recent years.  The doors have opened a bit in that regard.  In the end, for pitchers, I strongly weigh dominance over a reasonable period of time, along with Cy Young Awards, All-Star games, win titles, career saves, and ERA.

3) There is also first and last ballot bias.  First ballot candidates some BBWAA voters seem reticent to vote in to protect some sort of integrity of being a "first ballot hall of famer".  Evidence, three voters who did not include Ken Griffey Jr. in 2016 or the one guy who didn't vote for Ichiro Suzuki in 2025.  Likewise, when a player is on his last ballot (as Tim Raines was in 2017, Edgar Martinez in 2019, Larry Walker in 2020 and Billy Wagner in 2025) voters who previously withheld a vote tend to pay a bit more attention to their candidacy considering it's a final shot and vote favorably.

Sportsman of the Week Ending 1/11/2026

The college football and NFL playoffs are firing on all cylinders with five straight days of playoff action this week (through Monday).  This week, the NFL delivered last minute drama, including three final scores beyond the 2-minute warning and another game in which a pass break up stopped the potential winning score inside the red zone.  One of the surprise offensive stars was San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, who went from an afterthought on game plans to superstar.  Robinson torched the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles defense for 111 yards on 6 grabs, including a 61-yard catch on the second play of the game, then a TD catch to cap the first drive.  His playmaking was especially needed, as the Niners lost All Pro Tight End George Kittle to injury and were depleted down the field.  Fear not, Robinson to the rescue.  Despite a season of only 22 catches for under 300 total yards (and never a game over 50 yards) with just one TD, he led the way to the upset 23-19 victory over the Eagles and have many picking the 49ers as short odds for the NFC Championship.  Demarcus Robinson is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week! 

Sportsman of the Week Ending 1/4/2026

The Sportsman of the Week took a week off for the holidays but is back with an edge.  The College Football Playoff has been the most controversial and most watched in (well) it's two-year history, but the games are certainly drawing attention.  The best quarterfinal game by far was the Allstate Sugar Bowl, featuring two (traditional) SEC teams and big play after big play.  Most of the time delivered by Mississippi quarter back Trinidad Chambliss.  Chambliss finished the Sugar Bowl with a season high 362 passing yards on a season high 30 completions.  He led three fourth quarter drives facing a deficit to take the lead.  The last a FG on a 45-yard drive with under a minute to go to give the Rebels a 37-34 lead against the SEC Conference Champion Georgia Bulldogs.  One mistake, and the Ole Miss Rebels aren't playing in the College Football Playoff Semifinals.  Instead. Chambliss has them on to the next.  He is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 12/21/2025

The college football playoffs kicked off with a bang, with chatter around of who should be in and who shouldn't.  Didn't matter to the teams that played.  A team that many panned as not being worthy were the Miami Hurricanes, who got the last at large bid to face the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station, a place their fans believe teams go to die. Despite a defensive struggle, one player put on an offensive masterpiece to secure the Canes a spot in the quarterfinals.  Miami Hurricanes tailback Mark Fletcher Jr. looked all the part of the roles of previous great Miami backs.  From Frank Gore to Edgerrin James to Clinton Portis., they always came up big in big games.  Overall, for the game, he surged for 172 yards on 17 carries in a game the offense only had 278 yards total.  But in the biggest drive, tied 3-3 with under 4 minutes left, he took control.  Surging for 56 yards in the play to start the drive, carrying the next 4 times, including another 12-yarder for a first down (killing A&M time outs).  The drive ending in a Miami TD as they showed the world they belong and he is a force to be reckoned with in the next round.  Mark Fletcher Jr. is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 12/14/2025

The NFL Playoff picture is heating up and also becoming clearer as there are three weeks of the regular season left in a season that seems like new teams are emerging.  Out are the Kansas City Chiefs.  In are the Denver Broncos.  In one of the marquee Sunday games, the Broncos surged past another Super Bowl Contender for their 11th straight win, a playoff spots and hope for their next dynasty.  Budding superstar Bo Nix answered all the critics with an MVP level performance in leading his Broncos to a 34-26 win over the Green Bay Packers.  And Nix was the engine, connecting on 23-34 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns. Down 23-14 early in the third quarter, Nix struck twice before the quarter was out for the lead they would not relinquish.  It was only the second game this year the Packers gave up a 300-yard passer, the first being super QB Dak Prescott.  Nix appears to be the next great AFC QB next to other MVPs and is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 12/7/2025

After a run of College Football starts, we turn to another sport that wrapped up its season in dramatic fashion with a first-time champion.  And truly a world champion.  British driver Lando Norris broke a 4-year winning streak from Max Verstappen to win his first Formula 1 Championship and along with it goes the title of World's Driving Champion.  He along with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri upset the Red Bull blockage in getting first and third overall (with Verstappen in between).  Ironically, the Bristol, England, native did not win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Verstappen did.  But he had enough points in his pocket to take home the season championship.  It was a rare season coming down to the last race, when Verstappen took the title from legendary Lewis Hamilton in 2021.  Is this a changing of the guard that we'll see Norris win 3 more titles or more?  Will Verstappen bounce back?  Will Piastri continue his surge?  2026 will tell, but the 2025 champion is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week! 

Sportsman of the Week Ending 11/30/2025

For all its warts, College Football remains the sport of many fans in November, especially Thanksgiving / Rivalry weekend.  While our Sportsman of the Week wasn't in a pure rivalry, his performance upended the college football playoff in a huge win in their season finale.  California quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele had nearly a perfect day in shredding 2024 playoff participant and expected ACC Championship Game contender Southern Methodist.  Sagapolutele hit all but 9 of his 40 passes, and four of the 31 completions went for touchdowns.  To four different receivers.  The four TDs and 330 yards in the game were a career high.  He was sacked never.  He threw no interceptions.  And the freshman led the kinds of two-minute drives legends do.  JKS went 5 for 6, making his biggest completion to the 5-yard line with 40s left before having his RB punch it in.  Cal ends the season at a quietly good 7-5 and will be bowling.  Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is a big name to watch in the future and is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 11/23/2025

In a bit of a "calm before the storm" week in college football, there were some surprising outcomes and performance that shaped the conference title races.  None more than the Pittsburgh Panthers upset of the previously ranked #16 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets sent shockwaves through the ACC standings.  The Panthers got a command performance from Ja'Kyrian Turner, a true freshman running back who is surging with experience.  Against the Jackets, "Boosie" Turner ran for a career high 201 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, nearly toting the ball 10 yards per carry.  The climax was a spectacular 56 yard run up the middle to put the Panthers ahead by more than a touchdown for good.  Pittsburgh doesn't have a great chance to make the ACC title game, but the future is bright with Turner, the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 11/16/2025

In a playoff deciding game, big players and leaders step up and that was the case for our Sportsman of the Week.  Georgia Quarterback Gunner Stockton was clutch in the second half for his Bulldogs against the Texas Longhorns for the second time in 12 months.  This time, he showed that Georgia may be the hottest team in the country.  The Junior had his best game of the year, throwing nothing but darts hitting 83% of his passes four 4 touchdowns, while running for a fifth as they pulled away from a Top 10 team.  Georgia seems to be the kind of team that is getting better with time and has a favorable schedule.  They may not make the SEC title game, but finishing 11-1 won't keep them out of the playoffs, hosting a game, then being a force to be reckoned with.  Stockton is the leader they need, and the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 11/9/2025

Sometimes a single play, in an amazingly surprise situation, in the clutch can get you Sportsman of the Week.  This is the week.  The Indiana Hoosiers football (that's right football, not basketball) program continues to astound experts.  "They're not that good, just easy schedule."  "Once they play the big boys they'll lose."  "Why are they ranked so high?".  They are 21-1 over the past two regular seasons.  Read that again.  Slowly.  21.  And.  1.  We usually make fun of a Boise State or Coastal Carolina for such numbers, but this is the Big 10.  Did they not play everyone?  No, they didn't.  You can't with an 18-team conference.  But they're winning and this week against Penn State.  The final winning drive was punctuated by what will be a finalist if not winner for catch of the year.  Heisman trophy short odds QB Fernando Mendoza through a piss missile to Omar Cooper Jr.  Who snagged it against all odds.  Cooper Jr. high pointed the ball and made an impossible toe touch on third and goal from the 7 under 40s.  To give Indiana a key win 27-24 over Penn State in their Big 10 title hopes.  Not all wins are perfectly pretty.  But going into Happy Valley against a desperate team deserves props and the catch by Cooper Jr. was in line with that.  A worthy Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!