MLB Fans Disappointed by Billy Wagner, Gary Sheffield Missing 2024 Baseball HOF Class

Three former MLB stars have been chosen for election into the Baseball Hall of Fame, but Billy Wagner and Gary Sheffield were not among them.

Candidates needed to be included on 75 percent of Hall of Fame voters' ballots for inclusion into Cooperstown. Wagner fell just short at 73.8 percent, while Sheffield finished at 63.9 percent.

Third baseman Adrián Beltré, catcher Joe Mauer and first baseman Todd Helton will be inducted into the Class of 2024 alongside manager Jim Leyland, who made it after a contemporary era committee ballot vote last December.

Outfielders Andruw Jones (61.6 percent) and Carlos Beltrán (57.1 percent) also fell just short.

Wagner saved 422 games over 16 seasons (1995-2010) for the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves. He finished his career with a 2.31 ERA, 0.998 WHIP and 11.9 K/9 rate. Wagner finished with 30 or more saves nine times, including 37 with Atlanta in 2010.

Sheffield played for eight different MLB teams from 1988-2009. The nine-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger hit 509 home runs, posted 1,676 RBI and registered a .907 OPS. Sheffield knocked in 100 or more runners in eight different seasons. He also finished top nine in the MVP voting six times.

On paper, both look like Hall of Famers. As far as marks against them go, though, Wagner struggled mightily in the playoffs, posting a 10.03 ERA over 14 games, including a 16.88 mark for the 2006 Mets in the NLCS.

As for Sheffield, his problem has been steroid allegations, which have tailed him since the end of his career. Sheffield has fervently denied ever taking performance-enhancing drugs.

Ultimately, both have Hall of Fame-worthy resumes. Needless to say, fans, analysts and some former teammates were disappointed in Wagner and Sheffield being left out.

Wagner still has one more year on the BBWAA ballot. With 73.8 percent of the vote this year, it's certainly possible he gets the few more needed to get in next time around.

However, Sheffield has exhausted his 10 years on the ballot. Sheffield can be considered on the Contemporary Baseball Era/Player ballot though. The next vote for that one will take place in December of 2025 for inclusion in the Class of 2026.