OC Register: Francisco Rodriguez, Jered Weaver lead list of former Angels to debut on Hall of Fame ballot

[AngelsWin.com]

Francisco Rodriguez, who set the single-season saves record with the Angels, and Jered Weaver, whose 150 victories with the Angels ranks second in franchise history, are among the five former Angels who are making their debuts on the Hall of Fame ballot this year.

First baseman Mike Napoli and right-handers John Lackey and Huston Street are also among the 14 players who are new to the ballot, which was released on Monday. Voters have until Dec. 31 to mail in their ballots, and the results will be announced on Jan. 24.

Outfielders Bobby Abreu and Torii Hunter are among the 14 holdovers on the ballot. Last year Abreu was named o 8.6% of the ballots and Hunter on 5.3%.

Last year, slugger David Ortiz was the only player to earn the 75% required for induction. Third baseman Scott Rolen (63.2%), first baseman Todd Helton (52.0%) and left-hander Billy Wagner (51.0%) earned the most votes among the players returning to the ballot.

Of the new players, Rodriguez is among those with the strongest case to eventually make it to Cooperstown.

Rodriguez amassed 437 saves over his 16 year career, starting with the Angels and also pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles. The three pitchers above him on the list are all in the Hall of Fame: Mariano Rivera (652), Trevor Hoffman (601) and Lee Smith (478). No one below Rodriguez has been elected, though. Rodriguez set the record with 62 saves with the Angels in 2008.

Street, who finished his career with the Angels, had 324 saves.

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Weaver went 150-98 with a 3.63 ERA in his career, including a no-hitter in 2012.

Here is the entire list of players on the ballot: Bobby Abreu, Bronson Arroyo, Carlos Beltrán, Mark Buehrle, Matt Cain, R.A. Dickey, Jacoby Ellsbury, Andre Ethier, J.J. Hardy, Todd Helton, Torii Hunter, Andruw Jones, Jeff Kent, John Lackey, Mike Napoli, Jhonny Peralta, Andy Pettitte, Manny Ramírez, Álex Rodríguez, Francisco Rodríguez, Scott Rolen, Jimmy Rollins, Gary Sheffield, Huston Street, Omar Vizquel, Billy Wagner, Jered Weaver, Jayson Werth.

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[Angel Oracle]

If Lee Smith can be voted in, so can K-Rod!

[Lou]

7 former Angels. 

Amazing organizational development.

[Taylor]

No Mathis?

[Blarg]

37 minutes ago, Taylor said:

No Mathis?

Has to retired for 5 years. This is year 1. 

[Taylor]

39 minutes ago, Blarg said:

Has to retired for 5 years. This is year 1. 

It feels like he retired at least five years ago. Crazy that he was still playing last year.

[Blarg]

He wasn't playing last season, his last was 2021 and won a World Series ring. So he has check marked one year. 

[Taylor]

1 hour ago, Blarg said:

He wasn't playing last season, his last was 2021 and won a World Series ring. So he has check marked one year. 

I said "last year" not last season.

Do you always have to have the final word? 

[Erstad Grit]

I think Krod is a HOF. Closers haven't been respected too well, but Krod is probably a top 5-7 closer. 

[Blarg]

17 hours ago, Taylor said:

I said "last year" not last season.

Do you always have to have the final word? 

A lot of people use last year to describe a season that ended. There was no intention to final word, just to clarify where his time clock started. Sorry you got triggered. 

[Don]

I'd consider K-Rod and Billy Wagner to be pretty close to even in terms of their HOF resume. Wagner got 51% of the vote last year. 

[Taylor]

44 minutes ago, Blarg said:

A lot of people use last year to describe a season that ended. There was no intention to final word, just to clarify where his time clock started. Sorry you got triggered. 

I meant "last year" as in 2021. Sorry you made a false assumption.

[CaliAngel]

If we say "this season" are we talking about 2022 or 2023?

[T.G.]

FFS

[Taylor]

32 minutes ago, CaliAngel said:

If we say "this season" are we talking about 2022 or 2023?

Depends on whatever is in Blarg's brain.

[eligrba4ever]

I'm not seeing 75 percent on any of those fellows in the next decade.

[Blarg]

4 hours ago, Taylor said:

Depends on whatever is in Blarg's brain.

Or the bug up your ass. 

[Taylor]

1 hour ago, Blarg said:

Or the bug up your ass. 

His name is Rollie and we've finally come to a congenial relationship.