The 30 Biggest Baseball Hall of Fame Snubs
The 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame voting results will be revealed on Tuesday evening, and while Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones and Chase Utley are among the top names vying for induction this year, the conversation will inevitably shift to snubs at some point.
The Veterans Committee has rectified some of Cooperstown's biggest snubs in recent years, with Fred McGriff (2023), Dick Allen (2025), Dave Parker (2025) and Jeff Kent (2026) taking their place among the game's all-time greats.
However, there is still a long list of snubs who are deserving of a place in those hallowed halls, and ahead we've ranked the 30 biggest Baseball Hall of Fame snubs, based on career numbers, peak performance, and production relative to peers.
No players currently on the BBWAA ballot were considered for inclusion, though some could eventually find their way onto this list once they are no longer eligible.
The Asterisk Group
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The following players have Hall of Fame-worthy statistics, but their ties to PEDs or other off-the-field circumstances have left them on the outside looking in, and that is unlikely to change any time soon:
OF Barry Bonds
SP Roger Clemens
OF Shoeless Joe Jackson
1B Mark McGwire
1B Rafael Palmeiro
IF Pete Rose
SP Curt Schilling
OF Gary Sheffield
OF Sammy Sosa
Nos. 30-28
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30. SS Bill Dahlen (BBWAA Voting Peak: 0.4%)
Quick Pitch: His 75.2 WAR is the highest of any shortstop who is not in the Hall of Fame, and ranks just ahead of Derek Jeter (71.3). He also joins Cal Ripken Jr. as the only shortstops with at least 25.0 Defensive WAR and a 110 OPS+, highlighting his two-way impact.
29. RHP Rick Reuschel (BBWAA Voting Peak: 0.4%)
Quick Pitch: Victim of a middling career win-loss record (214-191) in an era where that still mattered. His 68.1 WAR is higher than 51 of the 76 MLB pitchers in the Hall of Fame, including Jim Palmer, John Smoltz, Bob Feller, Juan Marichal and Whitey Ford.
28. 1B Norm Cash (BBWAA Voting Peak: 1.6%)
Quick Pitch: His 377 home runs and 52.0 WAR don't jump off the page, but his 139 OPS+ shows he was one of the elite offensive players of the 1960s. Did not become an everyday player until his age-26 season, and spent much of his career in Al Kaline's shadow.
Nos. 27-25
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27. 2B Willie Randolph (BBWAA Voting Peak: 1.1%)
Quick Pitch: A 4-WAR player an impressive 10 times over 18 seasons in the majors, his 65.9 career WAR stacks up favorably to Ryne Sandberg (68.0), Roberto Alomar (67.0) and Craig Biggio (65.5) among current Hall of Fame second basemen. Served as Yankees captain in the era between Thurman Munson and Don Mattingly.
26. 3B Sal Bando (BBWAA Voting Peak: 0.7%)
Quick Pitch: A key cog in the Oakland Athletics teams that won three straight World Series titles from 1972-74 and one of the elite third basemen of the 1970s. Had seven seasons of at least 5 WAR en route to an impressive 61.5 career WAR total, posting a 119 OPS+ with 242 home runs and 1,039 RBI over 16 seasons.
25. RHP Roy Oswalt (BBWAA Voting Peak: 0.9%)
Quick Pitch: Ranked sixth in baseball with 43.1 pitching WAR during the 2000s, behind only Randy Johnson, Johan Santana, Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez and Roy Halladay. An ace-caliber starter from the jump, finishing fifth in Cy Young voting as a rookie and going 129-64 with a 3.13 ERA and 1,335 strikeouts in 1,622 innings over his first eight seasons.
Nos. 24-22
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24. RHP Dave Stieb (BBWAA Voting Peak: 1.4%)
Quick Pitch: Averaged 254 innings and 6.4 WAR during his first six full seasons in the majors, recording 77 complete games and 19 shutouts in 202 starts during that stretch. A seven-time All-Star who bridged the gap from the expansion era to the 1992 World Series title in Toronto, he far outpaces 1980s contemporary Jack Morris in WAR (56.5 to 43.6), ERA+ (122 to 105).
23. C Bill Freehan (BBWAA Voting Peak: 0.5%)
Quick Pitch: The first-ballot selection of Joe Mauer and upcoming candidacy of Buster Posey highlight him as a star catcher with an impressive peak and thin counting stats. His 11 All-Star selections are among the most by a non-Hall of Famer without PED allegations, and he also won five straight Gold Gloves at the apex of his 15-year career.
22. 3B Ken Boyer (BBWAA Voting Peak: 25.5%)
Quick Pitch: Impressive list of accolades includes 11 All-Star selections, five Gold Gloves and 1964 NL MVP honors. Had a stretch of seven straight 5-WAR seasons from 1958-64, and his 45.1 total WAR during that span trailed only Willie Mays (68.4), Hank Aaron (58.0), Eddie Mathews (47.5), Mickey Mantle (45.7) and Frank Robinson (45.3).
Nos. 21-19
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21. OF Dwight Evans (BBWAA Voting Peak: 10.4%)
Quick Pitch: Shared the Red Sox outfield with Jim Rice and Fred Lynn, and was overshadowed a bit as a result. Won eight Gold Glove Awards in right field and posted a 127 OPS+ with 2,446 hits, 385 home runs, 1,384 RBI and 67.2 WAR, which bests Hall of Famers Duke Snider (66.0), Andre Dawson (64.8), Dave Winfield (64.2), Vladimir Guerrero (59.5) and others.
20. LHP Tommy John (BBWAA Voting Peak: 31.7%)
Quick Pitch: His 288 wins, 4,710.1 innings pitched and 62.1 WAR give him a compelling case on statistics alone. The impact of his namesake surgery in reshaping the pitching landscape adds another layer, and the fact that 14 of his 26 seasons came after the surgery proved its viability.
19. OF Albert Belle (BBWAA Voting Peak: 7.7%)
Quick Pitch: Degenerative hip condition cut his career short after his age-33 season, but still finished with 381 home runs and 1,239 RBI while logging a 144 OPS+ that is better than David Ortiz (141), Ken Griffey Jr. (136) and a long list of other Hall of Famers. Had the only 50-double, 50-homer season in MLB history in 1995 as the most feared hitter in one of the best lineups of all-time.
Nos. 18-16
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18. LHP Fernando Valenzuela (BBWAA Voting Peak: 6.2%)
Quick Pitch: Went 8-0 with a 0.50 ERA and eight straight complete games to begin his rookie season in 1981, and became the only rookie in MLB history to win Cy Young honors. Spent a decade as the ace of the Dodgers staff, winning 139 games and tallying 32.2 WAR over his first 10 full seasons, and the cultural impact of "Fernandomania" helps advance his case.
17. 1B Carlos Delgado (BBWAA Voting Peak: 3.8%)
Quick Pitch: Had 10 straight seasons with at least 30 home runs, hitting .287/.397/.571 for a 148 OPS+ during that decade stretch as one of the most feared sluggers in baseball. His 473 home runs are 34th on the all-time list, and everyone above him is either a Hall of Famer, not yet eligible or has PED ties.
16. 1B Steve Garvey (BBWAA Voting Peak: 42.6%)
Quick Pitch: Face of the franchise for the Dodgers throughout the 1970s. An 11-time All-Star and the 1974 NL MVP, he lacked elite power for a first baseman, but still logged a 117 OPS+ while tallying 2,599 hits, 272 home runs and 1,308 RBI as one of the premier offensive players in an era dominated by pitching. Also holds the NL record with 1,207 consecutive games played.
Nos. 15-13
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15. RHP Luis Tiant (BBWAA Voting Peak: 30.9%)
Quick Pitch: Across the two-decade span of the 1960s and 1970s, an era often referred to as the "golden age" of pitching, his 65.7 WAR trails only Tom Seaver (87.1), Gaylord Perry (86.1), Bob Gibson (80.1), Phil Niekro (78.9) and Fergie Jenkins (74.6). He won 20 games four times, captured a pair of ERA titles and his 49 shutouts are the most of any non-Hall of Famer.
14. 1B/OF Lance Berkman (BBWAA Voting Peak: 1.2%)
Quick Pitch: The knock is a lack of defensive value, but his 144 OPS+ ranks ahead of players like Harmon Killebrew (143), David Ortiz (141), Reggie Jackson (139), Fred McGriff (134), Todd Helton (133) and others who were not selected largely for what they did in the batter's box. His 366 home runs are the sixth-highest total in MLB history by a switch-hitter.
13. 3B Graig Nettles (BBWAA Voting Peak: 8.3%)
Quick Pitch: Ranks inside the top 10 among third basemen in WAR (68.0, 10th) and home runs (390, sixth). One of the leaders of a Yankees team that won back-to-back titles in 1977 and 1978, with good balance between peak performance and counting stats. Hidden behind Mike Schmidt, George Brett, Ron Santo and Brooks Robinson in a stacked era at the hot corner.
Nos. 12-10
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12. 2B Bobby Grich (BBWAA Voting Peak: 2.6%)
Quick Pitch: An offensive anomaly at a time when second base was a defensive-minded position, posted a 125 OPS+ over 17 seasons. His 71.1 WAR is the 10th-highest total of any non-Hall of Fame position player, including the PED guys. Often overlooked due to Lou Whitaker's snub status at the same position.
11. RHP Orel Hershiser (BBWAA Voting Peak: 11.2%)
Quick Pitch: Baseball's elite pitcher in the prime of his career, highlighted by a brilliant 1988 season where he ripped off 59 consecutive scoreless innings and finished 23-8 with a 2.26 ERA, 15 complete games and eight shutouts before capping off the year with NLCS and World Series MVP honors. A no-brainer in the context of peak performance, and a 204-game winner with longevity over 18 seasons.
10. C Thurman Munson (BBWAA Voting Peak: 15.5%)
Quick Pitch: Career tragically cut short when he died in a plane crash at the age of 32. A seven-time All-Star with two World Series rings, 1970 AL Rookie of the Year and 1976 AL MVP on his resume, he was the 1970s version of Buster Posey in a Yankees uniform. His 116 OPS+ and 5.2 WAR per 162 games help balance out his lack of counting stats.
Nos. 9-7
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9. OF Jim Edmonds (BBWAA Voting Peak: 2.5%)
Quick Pitch: A true two-way star in center field, with a 132 OPS+ and 393 home runs in the batter's box, to go along with eight Gold Gloves and countless highlight-reel grabs in the outfield. Averaged a 157 OPS+ with 36 home runs, 100 RBI and 6.4 WAR during his first seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals for an elite peak.
8. RHP David Cone (BBWAA Voting Peak: 3.9%)
Quick Pitch: Pitched in the postseason eight different times and won five rings, going 8-3 with a 3.80 ERA over 111.1 career innings in the playoffs while his teams went 5-0 in his five World Series starts. His 61.6 WAR outpaces multiple Hall of Famers, he won 1994 AL Cy Young honors and he threw a perfect game.
7. RHP Kevin Brown (BBWAA Voting Peak: 2.1%)
Quick Pitch: Baseball's first $100 million man. His 68.2 WAR trails only Roger Clemens, Curt Schilling and dead ball era starter Jim McCormick for the highest total among eligible non-Hall of Famers. Elite four-year peak from 1996-99 (69-35, 2.50 ERA, 163 ERA+, 29.7 WAR) stacks up to any peak from the last 50 years.
Nos. 6-4
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6. 1B Don Mattingly (BBWAA Voting Peak: 28.2%)
Quick Pitch: One of the faces of baseball during a six-year peak from 1984-89 before back issues derailed the second half of his career. Hit .327/.372/.530 while averaging 43 doubles, 27 home runs, 114 RBI and 5.5 WAR during that stretch, leading the league in hits twice, doubles three times, RBI once and winning the 1984 AL batting title and 1985 AL MVP.
5. LHP Johan Santana (BBWAA Voting Peak: 2.4%)
Quick Pitch: A top-tier candidate for the peak performance vs. sustained production debate. Went 86-39 with a 2.82 ERA and 1,189 strikeouts in 1,146.2 innings during a five-year run as arguably the best pitcher in baseball, winning two Cy Youngs, three ERA titles and three strikeout titles during that stretch. Only made 75 total starts in his 30s, but was at an all-time great level at his best.
4. 1B Keith Hernandez (BBWAA Voting Peak: 10.8%)
Quick Pitch: Widely regarded as the best defensive first baseman in MLB history, winning 11 Gold Gloves in 17 seasons. Also posted a 128 OPS+ with 2,182 hits, 162 home runs and 1,071 RBI to provide well-rounded value, despite limited power. The 1979 NL batting title and NL MVP award further strengthens his case, and he was the veteran leader of the legendary 1986 Mets.
Nos. 3-1
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3. OF Kenny Lofton (BBWAA Voting Peak: 3.2%)
Quick Pitch: One of the best leadoff hitters in MLB history, hitting .299/.372/.423 for a 107 OPS+ with 2,428 hits, 1,528 runs scored and 622 steals. His 68.4 WAR ranks ninth all-time among center fielders, behind six Hall of Famers, Mike Trout and Carlos Beltran. Played in the postseason 11 times in his 17-year career. One of the most egregious one-and-done cases ever by the BBWAA.
2. OF Dale Murphy (BBWAA Voting Peak: 23.2%)
Quick Pitch: A bona fide superstar during the 1980s, when he ranked among the decade leaders in hits (1,553, fifth), home runs (308, second), RBI (929, second) and total bases (2,796, first). Won NL MVP in 1982 and 1983 while developing into a five-time Gold Glove winner in center field after starting his career as a catcher. Passes the "production relative to peers" test with flying colors.
1. 2B Lou Whitaker (BBWAA Voting Peak: 2.9%)
Quick Pitch: Whitaker has more career WAR (75.1) than all but five second basemen in MLB history, and that number puts him well ahead of enshrined modern counterparts Ryne Sandberg (68.0), Roberto Alomar (67.0), Craig Biggio (65.5) and the recently inducted Jeff Kent (55.4). He had a staggering 15 seasons with at least 3.0 WAR, posting a 117 OPS+ with 2,369 hits, 244 home runs and 1,084 RBI while also winning three Gold Gloves playing alongside Alan Trammell as baseball's longest tenured double-play combination.
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