There are over 300 members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Rampant use of performance-enhancing drugs throughout the 90’s have made a mess of the Hall of Fame. Star players are finding themselves snubbed from the Hall based on mere suspicion of steroid use. Enshrinement in the baseball Hall of Fame has become more of a popularity contest than a commemoration of legendary achievements on the playing field.
So a few years ago I set out to develop an objective system of deciding on the baseball Hall of Fame. Instead of the current subjective system of voting among baseball writers, my system would look at concrete evidence of popularity and ability. My system would not be influenced by events and judgments made after the fact.
I developed a system that I call All-Star Analysis of Players (ASAP). Each year, I select a number of players based on the number of players playing in the Major Leagues that year. The main criteria for ASAP are All-Star Games played and Wins Above Replacement. This way, the players are measured based on popularity (All-Star Games) as well as how good they were in relation to their peers.
I call my Hall of Fame the “Heroes of Baseball.”
Here are the current Heroes of Baseball, with New Hall of Fame players bolded (year of induction in parentheses):
- J.D. Martinez (2023)
- Marcus Semien (2023)
- Matt Olson (2023)
- Corbin Burnes (2023)
- Fernando Tatis Jr. (2023)
- J.T. Realmuto (2022)
- Zack Wheeler (2022)
- Francisco Lindor (2022)
- Yu Darvish (2022)
- Juan Soto (2022)
- Gerrit Cole (2021)
- Lance Lynn (2021)
- Jose Ramirez (2021)
- Carlos Correa (2021)
- Aaron Judge (2021)
- Carlos Carrasco (2020)
- Manny Machado (2020)
- Freddie Freeman (2020)
- Aaron Nola (2020)
- Dallas Keuchel (2020)
- Aroldis Chapman (2019)
- Nolan Arenado (2019)
- Josh Donaldson (2019)
- Jacob deGrom (2019)
- Anthony Rendon (2019)
- José Altuve (2018)
- Salvador Pérez (2018)
- Nelson Cruz (2018)
- Bryce Harper (2018)
- David Price (2018)
- Craig Kimbrel (2017)
- Corey Kluber (2017)
- Paul Goldschmidt (2017)
- Mookie Betts (2017)
- Giancarlo Stanton (2017)
- Mike Trout (2016)
- Buster Posey (2016)
- Max Scherzer (2016)
- Chris Sale (2016)
- Johnny Cueto (2016)
- Jose Bautista (2015)
- Prince Fielder (2015)
- Jonathan Papelbon (2015)
- Francisco Rodriguez (2015)
- Zack Greinke (2015)
- Yadier Molina (2014)
- Robinson Cano (2014)
- Felix Hernandez (2014)
- Jon Lester (2014)
- Andrew McCutchen (2014)
- Joe Nathan (2013)
- Joey Votto (2013)
- Clayton Kershaw (2013)
- Dustin Pedroia (2013)
- Cole Hamels (2013)
- Matt Holliday (2012)
- David Wright (2012)
- Paul Konerko (2012)
- Justin Verlander (2012)
- Cliff Lee (2012)
- Brian McCann (2011)
- Lance Berkman (2011)
- Miguel Cabrera (2011)
- Troy Tulowitzki (2011)
- Ryan Braun (2011)
- David Ortiz (2010)
- Joe Mauer (2010)
- Adrian Beltre (2010)
- Matt Cain (2010)
- Ted Lilly (2010)
- Michael Young (2009)
- Miguel Tejada (2009)
- Chase Utley (2009)
- Javier Vazquez (2009)
- CC Sabathia (2009)
- Billy Wagner (2008)
- Mark Buehrle (2008)
- Brian Giles (2008)
- Brandon Webb (2008)
- Jimmy Rollins (2008)
- Trevor Hoffman (2007)
- Alfonso Soriano (2007)
- Magglio Ordonez (2007)
- Tim Hudson (2007)
- Carlos Zambrano (2007)
- Roy Oswalt (2006)
- Ichiro Suzuki (2006)
- Johan Santana (2006)
- Carlos Beltran (2006)
- Roy Halladay (2006)
- Moises Alou (2005)
- Todd Helton (2005)
- Albert Pujols (2005)
- Vladimir Guerrero (2005)
- Jason Giambi (2005)
- Derek Jeter (2004)
- Mariano Rivera (2004)
- Bobby Abreu (2004)
- Al Leiter (2004)
- Brad Radke (2004)
- John Smoltz (2003)
- Bartolo Colon (2003)
- David Wells (2003)
- Andruw Jones (2003)
- Jim Edmonds (2003)
- Manny Ramirez (2002)
- Jim Thome (2002)
- John Olerud (2002)
- Scott Rolen (2002)
- Nomar Garciaparra (2002)
- Sammy Sosa (2001)
- Larry Walker (2001)
- Alex Rodriguez (2001)
- Chipper Jones (2001)
- Bernie Williams (2001)
- Gary Sheffield (2000)
- Kevin Brown (2000)
- Curt Schilling (2000)
- Chuck Finley (2000)
- Pedro Martinez (2000)
- Harold Baines (1999)
- Jose Canseco (1999)
- Randy Johnson (1999)
- Robin Ventura (1999)
- Mike Mussina (1999)
- Tom Glavine (1998)
- Sandy Alomar (1998)
- Kenny Lofton (1998)
- Jeff Bagwell (1998)
- Rafael Palmeiro (1998)
- Ivan Rodriguez (1997)
- Craig Biggio (1997)
- David Cone (1997)
- Chuck Knoblauch (1997)
- Frank Thomas (1996)
- Kevin Appier (1996)
- Edgar Martinez (1996)
- Mike Piazza (1996)
- Roberto Alomar (1995)
- Bobby Bonilla (1995)
- Greg Maddux (1995)
- Matt Williams (1995)
- Lee Smith (1994)
- Will Clark (1994)
- Barry Larkin (1994)
- Fred McGriff (1994)
- Jose Rijo (1993)
- Jimmy Key (1993)
- Mark Langston (1993)
- Ken Griffey Jr. (1993)
- Mark McGwire (1992)
- Dennis Martinez (1992)
- Tom Candiotti (1992)
- Frank Viola (1992)
- Kirby Puckett (1991)
- Jack Morris (1991)
- Brett Butler (1991)
- Dave Henderson (1991)
- Tony Gwynn (1990)
- Roger Clemens (1990)
- Barry Bonds (1990)
- Bret Saberhagen (1990)
- Andre Dawson (1989)
- Darryl Strawberry (1989)
- Don Mattingly (1989)
- Paul Molitor (1989)
- Don Sutton (1988)
- Cal Ripken Jr. (1988)
- Orel Hershiser (1988)
- Ryne Sandberg (1988)
- Alan Trammell (1987)
- Wade Boggs (1987)
- Pedro Guerrero (1987)
- Willie Randolph (1987)
- Ozzie Smith (1986)
- Lance Parrish (1986)
- Dale Murphy (1986)
- Dave Parker (1986)
- Fernando Valenzuela (1986)
- Tim Raines (1986)
- Lou Whitaker (1985)
- Eddie Murray (1985)
- Dwight Evans (1985)
- Dennis Eckersley (1985)
- Jim Rice (1984)
- Bruce Sutter (1984)
- Keith Hernandez (1984)
- Dave Stieb (1984)
- Chet Lemon (1983)
- Buddy Bell (1983)
- Jose Cruz (1983)
- Rickey Henderson (1983)
- Dave Winfield (1982)
- Al Oliver (1982)
- Tommy John (1982)
- Robin Yount (1982)
- Rich Gossage (1981)
- Nolan Ryan (1981)
- Rollie Fingers (1981)
- Vida Blue (1981)
- Gary Carter (1981)
- Fred Lynn (1980)
- George Brett (1980)
- Rick Reuschel (1980)
- Steve Rogers (1980)
- Lou Brock (1979)
- Steve Garvey (1979)
- Dave Concepcion (1979)
- Ted Simmons (1979)
- Ron Cey (1979)
- George Foster (1979)
- Carlton Fisk (1978)
- Luis Tiant 1964 (1978)
- Mike Schmidt (1978)
- Gene Tenace (1978)
- Steve Carlton (1977)
- Thurman Munson (1977)
- Cesar Cedeno (1977)
- Reggie Smith (1977)
- Rusty Staub (1976)
- Bobby Grich (1976)
- Jim Palmer (1976)
- Bert Blyleven (1976)
- Graig Nettles (1975)
- Jim Wynn (1975)
- Bobby Bonds (1975)
- Jim Kaat (1975)
- Catfish Hunter (1974)
- Don Kessinger (1974)
- Bert Campaneris (1974)
- Paul Blair (1974)
- Billy Williams (1973)
- Sal Bando (1973)
- Phil Niekro (1973)
- Tony Perez (1973)
- Hoyt Wilhelm (1972)
- Rod Carew (1972)
- Johnny Bench (1972)
- Reggie Jackson (1972)
- Pete Rose (1971)
- Joe Morgan (1971)
- Sonny Siebert (1971)
- Dick Allen (1971)
- Gaylord Perry (1970)
- Boog Powell (1970)
- Tom Seaver (1970)
- Fergie Jenkins (1970)
- Bill Freehan (1969)
- Tony Oliva (1969)
- Willie McCovey (1969)
- Sam McDowell (1969)
- Carl Yastrzemski (1968)
- Bob Gibson (1968)
- Norm Cash (1968)
- Juan Marichal (1967)
- Ron Santo (1967)
- Jim Fregosi (1967)
- Harmon Killebrew (1966)
- Rocky Colavito (1966)
- Sandy Koufax (1966)
- Brooks Robinson (1965)
- Roberto Clemente (1965)
- Bobby Richardson (1965)
- Bill Skowron (1965)
- Joe Torre (1965)
- Orlando Cepeda (1964)
- Bill Mazeroski (1964)
- Jim Bunning (1964)
- Smoky Burgess (1964)
- Frank Malzone (1964)
- Larry Jackson (1964)
- Luis Aparicio (1963)
- Bob Friend (1963)
- Vada Pinson (1963)
- Elston Howard (1962)
- Jim Gilliam (1962)
- Camilo Pascual (1962)
- Ken Boyer (1961)
- Don Drysdale (1961)
- Frank Lary (1961)
- Whitey Ford (1960)
- Henry Aaron (1960)
- Ernie Banks (1960)
- Frank Robinson (1960)
- Del Crandall (1959)
- Sherm Lollar (1959)
- Early Wynn (1959)
- Al Kaline (1959)
- Harvey Kuenn (1958)
- Eddie Mathews (1958)
- Richie Ashburn (1957)
- Willie Mays (1957)
- Monte Irvin (1956)
- Phil Rizzuto (1956)
- Nellie Fox (1956)
- Mickey Vernon (1956)
- Billy Pierce (1956)
- Mickey Mantle (1955)
- Duke Snider (1955)
- Minnie Minoso (1954)
- Gil Hodges (1954)
- Allie Reynolds (1954)
- Robin Roberts (1954)
- Yogi Berra (1953)
- Warren Spahn (1953)
- Bob Lemon (1953)
- Ralph Kiner (1953)
- Jackie Robinson (1953)
- George Kell (1952)
- Red Schoendienst (1952)
- Larry Doby (1952)
- Dom DiMaggio (1951)
- Ewell Blackwell (1951)
- Preacher Roe (1951)
- Roy Campanella (1950)
- Eddie Stanky (1950)
- Vern Stephens (1949)
- Stan Musial (1949)
- Enos Slaughter (1949)
- Pee Wee Reese (1949)
- Walker Cooper (1948)
- Marty Marion (1948)
- Bob Elliott (1948)
- Henry Kimbro (1948)
- Hank Greenberg (1947)
- Bobby Doerr (1947)
- Bob Feller (1947)
- George McQuinn (1947)
- Hal Newhouser (1947)
- Ted Williams (1947)
- Ted Lyons (1946)
- Leon Day (1946)
- Ken Keltner (1946)
- Eddie Miller (1946)
- Rudy York (1946)
- Frankie Hayes (1946)
- Luke Appling (1946)
- Martin Dihigo (1945)
- Lloyd Waner (1945)
- Lou Boudreau (1945)
- Lloyd Davenport (1945)
- Bill Byrd (1945)
- Chuck Klein (1944)
- Ray Dandridge (1944)
- Bucky Walters (1944)
- Neil Robinson (1944)
- Ted Radcliffe (1944)
- Ray Brown (1944)
- Frank McCormick (1943)
- Sam Bankhead (1943)
- Bob Johnson (1943)
- Joe Gordon (1943)
- Ernie Lombardi (1942)
- Wild Bill Wright (1942)
- Vic Harris (1942)
- Hilton Smith (1942)
- Paul Derringer (1942)
- Red Ruffing (1942)
- Johnny Mize (1942)
- Andy Cooper (1941)
- Larry Brown (1941)
- Stan Hack (1941)
- Willard Brown (1941)
- Tommy Bridges (1940)
- Jo-Jo Moore (1940)
- Buck Leonard (1940)
- Joe DiMaggio (1940)
- Heinie Manush (1939)
- Tony Lazzeri (1939)
- Bill Dickey (1939)
- Joe Medwick (1939)
- Arky Vaughan (1939)
- Waite Hoyt (1938)
- Kiki Cuyler (1938)
- Earl Averill (1938)
- Alex Radcliff (1938)
- Rick Ferrell (1938)
- Lefty Gomez (1938)
- Billy Herman (1938)
- Jesse Haines (1937)
- Pie Traynor (1937)
- Jim Bottomley (1937)
- Chick Hafey (1937)
- Josh Gibson (1937)
- Judy Johnson (1936)
- Dizzy Dean (1936)
- Wes Ferrell (1936)
- Earle Combs (1935)
- Freddie Lindstrom (1935)
- Carl Hubbell (1935)
- Ted Trent (1935)
- Sam Rice (1934)
- William Bell (1934)
- Charlie Gehringer (1934)
- Satchel Paige (1934)
- Red Faber (1933)
- Mel Ott (1933)
- Jimmie Foxx (1933)
- Joe Cronin (1933)
- Joe Williams (1932)
- George Kelly (1932)
- Bill Terry (1932)
- Dewey Creacy (1932)
- Paul Waner (1932)
- Mickey Cochrane (1931)
- Mule Suttles (1931)
- Al Simmons (1931)
- Cool Papa Bell (1930)
- Lou Gehrig (1930)
- Bill Foster (1930)
- Lefty Grove (1930)
- Ray Schalk (1929)
- Burleigh Grimes (1929)
- Hack Wilson (1929)
- Travis Jackson (1929)
- Goose Goslin (1928)
- Dick Lundy (1928)
- Gabby Hartnett (1928)
- Herb Pennock (1928)
- Jud Wilson (1927)
- Rats Henderson (1927)
- Ben Taylor (1927)
- Willie Wells (1927)
- Dazzy Vance (1927)
- Pete Hill (1926)
- Louis Santop (1926)
- Jose Mendez (1926)
- Turkey Stearnes (1926)
- Frankie Frisch (1926)
- Chief Bender (1925)
- Harry Hooper (1925)
- Rube Marquard (1925)
- John Henry Lloyd (1925)
- Eppa Rixey (1925)
- Cristobal Torriente (1924)
- Harry Heilmann (1924)
- Ross Youngs (1924)
- Biz Mackey (1924)
- Bullet Rogan (1924)
- Urban Shocker (1923)
- Oscar Charleston (1923)
- Dobie Moore (1923)
- Jack Fournier (1923)
- Joe Sewell (1923)
- Bobby Veach (1922)
- Wally Schang (1922)
- Dave Bancroft (1922)
- Zach Wheat (1922)
- Stan Coveleski (1921)
- Wilbur Cooper (1921)
- Larry Gardner (1921)
- Rabbit Maranville (1921)
- Babe Ruth (1920)
- Edd Roush (1920)
- George Sisler (1920)
- Babe Adams (1920)
- George Burns 1911 (1919)
- Rogers Hornsby (1919)
- Heinie Groh (1918)
- Max Carey (1918)
- Art Fletcher (1917)
- Jeff Pfeffer (1917)
- Joe Tinker (1916)
- Mordecai Brown (1916)
- Joe Jackson (1916)
- Roger Bresnahan (1915)
- Grover Alexander (1915)
- Ed Konetchy (1915)
- Benny Kauff (1915)
- Home Run Baker (1914)
- Walter Johnson (1914)
- Donie Bush (1914)
- Eddie Collins (1914)
- Sherry Magee (1913)
- Tris Speaker (1913)
- Ed Walsh (1912)
- Johnny Evers (1912)
- Fred Clarke (1911)
- Ty Cobb (1911)
- Addie Joss (1910)
- Vic Willis (1910)
- Christy Mathewson (1910)
- Jack Chesbro (1909)
- Sam Crawford (1909)
- Joe Kelley (1908)
- Eddie Plank (1908)
- Frank Chance (1907)
- Jimmy Collins (1907)
- Hugh Duffy (1906)
- Rube Waddell (1906)
- Elmer Flick (1905)
- Bill Bradley (1905)
- Joe McGinnity (1904)
- Noodles Hahn (1904)
- Nap Lajoie (1903)
- Honus Wagner (1903)
- Willie Keeler (1902)
- Bill Dahlen (1902)
- Clark Griffith (1901)
- Bobby Wallace (1901)
- Jake Beckley (1900)
- John McGraw (1899)
- Jesse Burkett (1899)
- Hughie Jennings (1898)
- George Davis (1898)
- Cy Young (1897)
- Ed Delahanty (1897)
- Tommy McCarthy (1896)
- Cupid Childs (1896)
- Amos Rusie (1895)
- Kid Nichols (1895)
- John Montgomery Ward (1894)
- Billy Hamilton (1894)
- Tim Keefe (1893)
- Sam Thompson (1893)
- Pud Galvin (1892)
- Mickey Welch (1892)
- Billy Nash (1892)
- Arlie Latham (1891)
- John Clarkson (1891)
- Mike Tiernan (1890)
- Henry Larkin (1890)
- Denny Lyons (1890)
- Old Hoss Radbourn (1890)
- Bid McPhee (1889)
- Tip O’Neill (1889)
- William Robinson (1888)
- Buck Ewing (1888)
- Bob Caruthers (1887)
- Hardy Richardson (1887)
- Frank Fennelly (1886)
- Harry Stovey (1886)
- Pete Browning (1885)
- Fred Dunlap (1885)
- Roger Connor (1885)
- Dan Brouthers (1885)
- George Gore (1885)
- Jack Glasscock (1885)
- Jim McCormick (1885)
- Ed Williamson (1885)
- Charlie Bennett (1885)
- King Kelly (1885)
- Charley Jones (1885)
- Jim O’Rourke (1885)
- John Clapp (1885)
- Paul Hines (1885)
- Joe Start (1885)
- Cap Anson (1885)
- Deacon White (1885)
Heroes of Baseball have established themselves as star players. When they join the list, they are halfway through Hall of Fame careers. Putting in another six or seven productive seasons will secure their places in Cooperstown.