Players may remain on the ballot for up to 10 years, provided they receive at least five percent of the vote. Pedroia, who won an MVP, Rookie of the Year and four Gold Gloves with the Red Sox, was named on 11.9 percent of last year’s ballot, his first year of eligibility.

Cole Hamels, Ryan Braun, and Matt Kemp are among 12 newcomers on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot. Carlos Beltrán leads 15 holdovers after falling 19 votes short in 2025.

Despite 555 home runs and being one of the best right-handed hitters of his generation, Manny Ramirez's path to Cooperstown is blocked by insurmountable odds.