Does Joe Maddon agree with Dusty Baker’s choice to pull Cristian Javier after the 6th in Game 4?
Subtitles
  • Off
  • English

How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting

How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting

Gary Sheffield and A-Rod both came up short again. Let's look at how voters treated other tainted stars

Start Slideshow
Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Is Gary Sheffield more Hall of Fame worthy than Alex Rodriguez, despite the fact that both are inextricably linked to performing enhancing drugs?

Advertisement

Sheff is “crushing” A-Rod in balloting, leaving Jon Heyman to ponder how one cheat — with lesser numbers — is outpacing an all-time, albeit tainted, great. (Never mind the fact that Rodriguez is one of the least likable figures in the sport.)

But this is nothing new for baseball writers, who since the 1990s, have had to navigate which stars get a pass — and which pay the price — when it comes to Cooperstown induction.

Let’s take a look at who got in, and who was left languishing by the BBWAA.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

2 / 26

Rafael Palmeiro

Rafael Palmeiro

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Palmeiro tested positive in August 2005 after testifying before Congress in March 2005 that he had never used steroids.

Advertisement

Years on HoF ballot: 4 (2011-14)

Highest vote percentage: 12.6%

Elected: No

Fell off the ballot: 2014

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

3 / 26

Manny Ramirez

Manny Ramirez

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Ramirez was suspended 50 games for taking human chorionic gonadotropin, which is commonly taken after steroids.

Advertisement

Years on HoF ballot: 8 (2017-present)

Highest vote percentage: 33.2% (2023)

Elected: TBD

Fell off the ballot: Still on it

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

4 / 26

David Ortiz

David Ortiz

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Big Papi reportedly appeared on the anonymous 2003 PED survey testing list, though he never failed an in-season drug test or served any performance-enhancing drug-related suspensions. However, several other players purportedly on the list — namely Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, A-Rod, and Ortiz teammate Manny Ramirez — were later busted.

Advertisement

Years on HoF ballot: 1 (2022)

Highest vote percentage: 77.9% (2022)

Elected: Yes

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

5 / 26

Mike Piazza

Mike Piazza

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

While Piazza denied ever using steroids, he admitted to using the banned muscle-building compound androstenedione in his 2013 autobiography. The book was released the same year as his first appearance on the Hall of Fame ballot. There was speculation during Piazza’s Mets days.

Advertisement

Years on HoF ballot: 4 (2013-2016)

Highest vote percentage: 83% (2016)

Elected: Yes

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

6 / 26

Jhonny Peralta

Jhonny Peralta

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Peralta was suspended 50 games for PEDs and later admitted to steroid use.

Years on HoF ballot: 1 (2023)

Highest vote percentage: 0.0% (2023)

Elected: No

Fell off the ballot: 2023

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

7 / 26

Ken Caminiti

Ken Caminiti

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Caminiti admitted to using PEDs in 2002 in a Sports Illustrated cover story. He died in 2004 after using cocaine and opiates.

Advertisement

Years on HoF ballot: 1 (2007)

Highest vote percentage: 0.4% (2007)

Elected: No

Fell off the ballot: 2007

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

8 / 26

Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

A-Rod admitted to using testosterone and HGH, leading to his suspension for the entirety of the 2014 MLB season.

Advertisement

Years on HoF ballot: 3 (2022-present)

Highest vote percentage: 35.7% (2023)

Elected: TBD

Fell off the ballot: Still on it

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

9 / 26

Miguel Tejada

Miguel Tejada

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Tejada was named in the Mitchell report by Athletics outfielder Adam Piatt, who allegedly discussed steroid use with Tejada and provided him testosterone and HGH. Tejada was charged with lying to Congress under oath after pleading guilty.

Advertisement

Years on HoF ballot: 1 (2019)

Highest vote percentage: 1.2% (2019)

Elected: No

Fell off the ballot: 2019

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

10 / 26

Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Bonds was implicated in the BALCO scandal by trainer Greg Anderson.

Years on HoF ballot: 10 (2013-22)

Highest vote percentage: 66% (2022)

Elected: No

Fell off the ballot: 2022

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

11 / 26

Jason Giambi

Jason Giambi

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Giambi was implicated in the BALCO scandal and testified to using ‘roids. He was found to have Deca-Durabolin via a blood test. He was the final active player named by the Mitchell Report, retiring in 2015.

Advertisement

Years on HoF ballot: 1 (2020)

Highest vote percentage: 1.5% (2020)

Elected: No

Fell off the ballot: 2020

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

12 / 26

Lenny Dykstra

Lenny Dykstra

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Dykstra was implicated in a civil suit brought by a former business partner, where former bodybuilder Jeff Scott said he injected Dykstra himself. The former outfielder later admitted to using steroids.

Advertisement

Years on HoF ballot: 1 (2002)

Highest vote percentage: 0.2% (2002)

Elected: No

Fell off the ballot: 2002

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

13 / 26

Roger Clemens

Roger Clemens

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Clemens was named in the Mitchell Report by strength-and-conditioning coach Brian McNamee, who testified he personally injected Clemens with steroids and HGH during a three-year period.

Advertisement

Years on HoF ballot: 10 (2013-22)

Highest vote percentage: 65.2% (2022)

Elected: No

Fell off the ballot: 2022

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

14 / 26

Jose Canseco

Jose Canseco

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Canseco co-wrote the tell-all book Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big in 2005. The book implicated the slugger along with multiple other teammates as steroid users, with Canseco claiming he personally injected some of them.

Advertisement

Years on HoF ballot: 1 (2007)

Highest vote percentage: 1.1% (2007)

Elected: No

Fell off the ballot: 2007

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

15 / 26

Paul Lo Duca

Paul Lo Duca

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Lo Duca was named in the Mitchell Report for HGH usage. He was reportedly one of several clients of clubhouse attendant/steroid dealer Kirk Radomski, who produced three checks from Lo Duca totaling $3,200.

Advertisement

Years on HoF ballot: 1 (2014)

Highest vote percentage: 0.0%

Elected: No

Fell off the ballot: 2014

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

16 / 26

Brian Roberts

Brian Roberts

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Roberts was named in the Mitchell Report and later admitted to using steroids.

Years on HoF ballot: 1 (2020)

Highest vote percentage: 0.0% (2020)

Elected: No

Fell off the ballot: 2020

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

17 / 26

Eric Gagne

Eric Gagne

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Gagne was named in the Mitchell Report as a client of Kirk Radomski.

Years on HoF ballot: 1 (2014)

Highest vote percentage: 0.4% (2014)

Elected: No

Fell off the ballot: 2014

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

18 / 26

Andy Pettitte

Andy Pettitte

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Pettitte was implicated in a federal raid against former relief pitcher Jason Grimsley in 2006 as well as the Mitchell Report one year later. Pettitte admitted to HGH use in front of Congress.

Advertisement

Years on HoF ballot: 5 (2019-present)

Highest vote percentage: 17% (2023)

Elected: TBD

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

19 / 26

Rick Ankiel

Rick Ankiel

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Ankiel was named in the Mitchell Report as receiving eight shipments of HGH in 2004.

Advertisement

Years on HoF Ballot: 1 (2019)

Highest vote percentage: 0.0% (2019)

Elected: No

Fell off the ballot: 2019

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

20 / 26

Mo Vaughn

Mo Vaughn

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Vaughn was named as one of the clients of Kirk Radomski in the Mitchell Report.

Years on HoF Ballot: 1 (2009)

Highest vote percentage: 1.1% (2009)

Elected: No

Fell off the ballot: 2009

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

21 / 26

Mark McGwire

Mark McGwire

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

In 2010, Big Mac admitted to using steroids in 1998 when he broke baseball’s home run record.

Advertisement

Years on HoF Ballot: 10 (2007-16)

Highest vote percentage: 23.7%

Elected: No

Fell off the ballot: 2016

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

22 / 26

Sammy Sosa

Sammy Sosa

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Sosa denied taking any sort of growth hormones or steroids, but The New York Times reported in 2003 that he tested positive for using performance-enhancing drugs.

Advertisement

Years on HoF Ballot: 10 (2013-22)

Highest vote percentage: 18.5% (2022)

Elected: No

Fell off the ballot: 2022

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

23 / 26

Ivan Rodriguez

Ivan Rodriguez

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Pudge was implicated by Canseco’s book, Juiced. He has adamantly denied that he ever used PEDs, and was voted into the Hall of Fame. The backstop was a 14-time All-Star, 13-time Gold Glove, and World Series winner.

Advertisement

Years on HoF Ballot: 1 (2017)

Highest vote percentage: 76.0% (2017)

Elected: Yes

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

24 / 26

Gary Sheffield

Gary Sheffield

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Sheff was one of the players implicated in the BALCO scandal after a FedEx receipt was found in a federal search warrant of trainer Greg Anderson’s condo.

Advertisement

Years on HoF Ballot: 10 (2015-present)

Highest vote percentage: 63.9% (2024)

Elected: No

Fell off the ballot: N/A

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

25 / 26

Bartolo Colon

Bartolo Colon

Image for article titled How suspected or confirmed PED users have fared in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
Photo: Getty Images

Colon was suspended for 50 games in 2012 after a positive drug test for testosterone.

Advertisement


Years on HoF Ballot: 1 (2024)


Highest vote percentage: 0.5% (2024)


Elected: No


Fell off the ballot: 2024

Advertisement