Bonds and Clemens Denied Hall of Fame Again, Future in Jeopardy

UPDATE: Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens have been denied induction into baseball’s Hall of Fame once again, with both players receiving fewer than five votes from the contemporary era committee during the election held on December 10, 2023. This latest rejection could bar them from future ballots, raising urgent questions about their legacy.

In a surprising turn at the winter meetings in Orlando, Florida, Hall chairman Jane Forbes Clark confirmed that the ongoing evaluation of the Steroids Era by committee members closely mirrors that of baseball writers. “I’m not surprised because I think there’s overlap and obviously discussions among the writers,” she stated during a news conference following the election of Jeff Kent.

With just one more opportunity under current rules for Bonds and Clemens to gain entry into the Hall, their chances are dwindling. A significant change in the Hall’s voting structure, announced last March, stipulates that candidates receiving fewer than five votes from the 16-person panel will be ineligible for the next three-year cycle. If Bonds and Clemens fail to secure five votes in 2031, they would be permanently barred from future ballots unless the rules are revised.

Clark emphasized the importance of this change, noting, “What’s lovely about it is it’s going to open up spots on the ballot so that more people can be reviewed.” She reiterated that while Bonds and Clemens can return to the ballot in six years, this opens opportunities for others in the meantime, which she believes is crucial.

Both players have impressive resumes: Bonds holds the record for most career home runs at 762 and set a single-season record with 73 home runs in 2001. Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner, boasts a career record of 354 wins and ranks third all-time in strikeouts.

Both Bonds and Clemens have denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs, maintaining their innocence throughout their careers. However, their past continues to overshadow their accomplishments. In their final appearances on the BBWAA ballot in 2022, Bonds received 260 votes (66%) while Clemens garnered 257 votes (65.2%), both falling short of the necessary threshold for induction.

In their first test on the contemporary era ballot in December 2022, Bonds and Clemens each received fewer than four votes as Fred McGriff was elected, a trend that has continued into the latest election.

The implications of these decisions resonate not just for Bonds and Clemens but also for the Hall of Fame itself, which faces ongoing scrutiny over its handling of players associated with performance-enhancing drugs. As the landscape of baseball evolves, the future remains uncertain for these legendary figures.

As fans await developments regarding potential rule changes or new candidates, the door appears to be closing on Bonds and Clemens, making this an urgent topic of discussion in the baseball community.