Veterans Committee Delivers Blow to Steroid Era Suspects, as Jeff Kent Enters Cooperstown.
In a significant blow to their legacies, baseball's Contemporary Era Committee has once again denied entry to two of the sport's most tainted stars: Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. The decision came on Sunday, when 14-time All-Star second baseman Jeff Kent was elected to the Hall of Fame with more than the required 75% minimum.
Bonds, who denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs, received a mere 260 votes out of 394 total ballots cast. His career was marred by allegations of steroid use, which have kept him out of Cooperstown for over a decade. Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner and former ace pitcher, fared no better, collecting just 257 votes.
While both players will remain eligible for future consideration, their exclusion from the Contemporary Era Committee's ballot has likely dealt another significant blow to their chances of eventual entry into the Hall. The decision may also impact the prospects of fellow steroid-era suspect Sammy Sosa, who has yet to appear on the committee's ballot despite being one of the most prolific home run hitters of his generation.
Kent, meanwhile, will be inducted alongside anyone chosen by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) at a ceremony scheduled for July 26. A five-time All-Star second baseman, Kent batted .290 with 377 home runs and 1,518 RBIs over 17 seasons with several teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Contemporary Era Committee's decision reflects a trend of voters increasingly prioritizing the integrity of the game in their decisions. Each committee meets every three years, and candidates who receive fewer than five votes are not eligible for that committee's ballot during the next three-year cycle. This rule change has made it even more challenging for Bonds and Clemens to overcome their tainted reputations.
The decision serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of steroid use on the sport of baseball, with many of the era's most talented players forever linked to the controversy surrounding performance-enhancing drugs.
In a significant blow to their legacies, baseball's Contemporary Era Committee has once again denied entry to two of the sport's most tainted stars: Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. The decision came on Sunday, when 14-time All-Star second baseman Jeff Kent was elected to the Hall of Fame with more than the required 75% minimum.
Bonds, who denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs, received a mere 260 votes out of 394 total ballots cast. His career was marred by allegations of steroid use, which have kept him out of Cooperstown for over a decade. Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner and former ace pitcher, fared no better, collecting just 257 votes.
While both players will remain eligible for future consideration, their exclusion from the Contemporary Era Committee's ballot has likely dealt another significant blow to their chances of eventual entry into the Hall. The decision may also impact the prospects of fellow steroid-era suspect Sammy Sosa, who has yet to appear on the committee's ballot despite being one of the most prolific home run hitters of his generation.
Kent, meanwhile, will be inducted alongside anyone chosen by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) at a ceremony scheduled for July 26. A five-time All-Star second baseman, Kent batted .290 with 377 home runs and 1,518 RBIs over 17 seasons with several teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Contemporary Era Committee's decision reflects a trend of voters increasingly prioritizing the integrity of the game in their decisions. Each committee meets every three years, and candidates who receive fewer than five votes are not eligible for that committee's ballot during the next three-year cycle. This rule change has made it even more challenging for Bonds and Clemens to overcome their tainted reputations.
The decision serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of steroid use on the sport of baseball, with many of the era's most talented players forever linked to the controversy surrounding performance-enhancing drugs.
but can we be real about Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens though? They've been in it for ages and it's crazy how much of a difference 75% makes... I think 70 or 80 would be more fair considering all the allegations, but nope, they're still out 
. On the other hand, Sammy Sosa just chillin' on the outside looking in... like what even is going on there? 
The Contemporary Era Committee is trying to send a message about the integrity of the game, which I think is awesome, but it's also kinda harsh on guys like Kent who aren't as tainted. 
What's crazy is that Sosa's still waiting in the wings, and we all know he was a key player in that steroid era too... 
The whole thing is kinda weird, you know? I mean, Jeff Kent gets in but Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are out. It's like, what even is fair? They both had amazing careers, no doubt about that. But then there's all these allegations of steroid use hanging over them. I don't get why it can't be proven one way or the other. Can't we just have a debate about it instead of making definitive judgments?
for Bonds and Clemens! They denied using steroids but it's clear they're tainted 
. I mean, 260 votes is like a tiny fraction of total ballots cast 
. It's almost like they're trying to make an example out of them 
.
! He was always an okay player but he didn't have all the drama and controversy that Bonds and Clemens had 
.
. But still, it's all so...meh 
. The game will never be the same without Bonds and Clemens, that's for sure 
oh man, just saw the news about Jeff Kent getting into Cooperstown 
who dodged the bullet this time 
. It's like, finally, their actions caught up with 'em 
. Kent's story is so inspiring, being a 5-tool player from Canada 
, and to see him get inducted alongside other legends... it's just awesome 
. But let's be real, Bonds and Clemens are still out there, waiting for their turn 
️
377 homers is no joke 
. Steroid era gets no love, still can't look at their stats without thinking about cheating 
! He played some amazing ball and deserves all the credit for it. I mean, 377 home runs ain't bad 
. It's great that the Contemporary Era Committee is being strict about steroid allegations, though - we need more players who set a good example on and off the field 
. Sorry to see Bonds and Clemens get rejected again 