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Hall of Fame Voting: Support Grows for Utley, Challenges for Ramírez

1/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Chase Utley, a Hall of Fame candidate, rose to 59.1% in his third ballot year, signaling stronger support for peak performance.
Félix Hernández advanced to 46.1% in his second year, suggesting a shift in how modern pitchers are evaluated.
Manny Ramírez ended with 38.8% support, highlighting ongoing challenges for players linked to PED use.
Andy Pettitte rose to 48.5%, indicating a nuanced relationship between PEDs and Hall of Fame voting.

History

Historical Context

In 2013, the Baseball Hall of Fame experienced a historic moment when no players were elected, largely due to ongoing controversies over performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Notably, only 37.5% of voters supported candidates like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, reflecting a broader debate about integrity in baseball that continues to influence evaluations of future candidates, including Chase Utley and Manny Ramírez.

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Story summary

Chase Utley, a Hall of Fame candidate, rose to 59.1% in his third ballot year, signaling stronger support for peak performance.
Félix Hernández advanced to 46.1% in his second year, suggesting a shift in how modern pitchers are evaluated.
Manny Ramírez ended with 38.8% support, highlighting ongoing challenges for players linked to PED use.
Andy Pettitte rose to 48.5%, indicating a nuanced relationship between PEDs and Hall of Fame voting.

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