It’s the day after the Baseball Hall of Fame votes have been announced for this cycle, and only one former MLB player is heading to Cooperstown. That and an interesting note about the future of the Miami Marlins heads today’s MLB news and notes.
MLB news: Miami Marlins are not for sale
A recent article in the Los Angeles Times discussing the change of heart by Arte Moreno regarding the sale of the Los Angeles Angels also contained an interesting note about the Marlins.
“The Baltimore Orioles and Miami Marlins could go up for sale soon, according to MLB sources who declined to be identified, and the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays have yet to secure the new ballpark that each team has sought for more than a decade, ” was part of a paragraph in the article. That line drew a quick reaction from Marlins ownership.
In response to today’s article in the LA Times :
From Bruce Sherman, Marlins Chairman and Principal Owner:
The Miami Marlins are not for sale, have not been for sale under my ownership, and will not be for sale in my lifetime. It is irresponsible to report otherwise. (1/2)
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) January 24, 2023
It appears there’s a good reason why those sources whispering the Marlins might be sold refused to be identified.
MLB news: Scott Rolen earns an invitation to Cooperstown
Rolen was the only player to earn a vote on more than 75 percent of the ballots returned by Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) members during this Baseball Hall of Fame voting cycle. Rolen’s 76.3 percent of votes total meant that he made it to Cooperstown by just five votes, the closest margin for election since Iván Rodríguez squeaked by with just four extra votes than needed in the 2017 balloting.
Here’s a look at the final percentages for this voting cycle on what was a very interesting and talent-filled ballot.
Role: 76.3
Helton: 72.2
Wagner: 68.1
Jones: 58.1
Sheffield: 55
Beltran: 46.5
Kent: 46.5
A-Rod: 35.7
Manny: 33.2
Vizquel: 19.5
Pettitte: 17
Abreu: 15.4
Rollins: 12.9
Buehrle: 10.8
K-Rod: 10.8
Hunter: 6.9— Ryan Thibodaux (@NotMrTibbs) January 24, 2023
While Rolen made it in by five votes, Todd Helton missed Cooperstown by 11 votes. However, Helton’s 22.2 percent jump from last year to this year almost ensures he will be a member of next year’s class.
Rolen, Helton, and Billy Wagner (68.1) were the only three players to top the 65-percent threshold.
The competition for votes next year will include first-year players such as Joe Mauer and Adrian Beltre, a player many expect to earn a trip to Cooperstown in his first year on the ballot.