The Quest for 100 Unanimous: The Unlikely Path to the Hall of Fame

For many baseball fans, the idea of a unanimous vote for a player into Major League Baseball's (MLB) Hall of Fame stands as an almost unreachable dream. However, with the changing dynamics within the voting process, there is a possibility that this could become a reality in the future.

Is a 100 Unanimous Vote Feasible?

The probability of a 100-unanimous vote being achieved is likely low. There are always dishonest sportswriters who believe they have the power to prevent such an occurrence, reminiscent of the times when Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Aaron did not reach the threshold. Despite their exceptional careers, sportswriters found ways to exclude them from the honors.

While Ichiro Suzuki and Cal Ripken Jr. were seen as strong candidates for a unanimous vote, their achievements did not guarantee a unanimous outcome. In contrast, Ken Griffey Jr., often considered the highest statistical player in the Homers Era, only required the support of one opposing voter, which is seen as a blunder by many.

Mike Trout: The Future Unanimous Candidate?

The future may hold a more promising prospect in the form of Mike Trout. If this star outfielder continues to perform at his current level, there is a strong possibility that he could be the first unanimous player ever voted into the Hall of Fame. Granted, this remains speculative, but considering his consistent performance and the sheer number of voters, it is not entirely out of the question.

Challenges and Obstacles

One of the primary challenges in achieving a unanimous vote lies in the behavior of certain sportswriters. For instance, Murray Chass, a renowned sports writer, has exhibited erratic voting patterns. In 2017, he submitted a blank ballot to prevent any player from getting unanimous votes. In 2016, he voted for only one player, Ken Griffey Jr. In 2015, he refused to vote entirely. Chass's behavior highlights the human element in the voting process that can greatly impact the outcome.

Positive Changes in the Voting Process

Despite the challenges, there are several positive changes that have been introduced to improve the voting process. For instance, as of 2018, every Hall of Fame vote is made public, which introduces a new level of accountability. This means that voters must now justify their votes, ensuring a more transparent and reliable process.

The electorate is also undergoing a positive transformation. In recent years, the voting pool has been cleansed from writers who no longer actively cover baseball. This change has removed writers who were previously full-time golf writers but maintained their BBWAA (Baseball Writers' Association of America) membership. This purification of the electorate ensures that the voters are more aligned with the sport they represent.

Future Prospects and Possibilities

With the introduction of public votes and a more aligned electorate, there is a hope that the old curmudgeon voters like Murray Chass will eventually retire or age out. This age-out effect, combined with the influx of newer, more sports-minded voters, has led to a higher number of candidates per ballot and a greater chance of players reaching the induction threshold.

While there is still a long way to go, the future does hold some promise. Whether it will take decades for a unanimous vote to occur remains uncertain, but the current trends suggest an increasing likelihood of this historic achievement happening in the future.