Why Is Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez Not in the Baseball Hall of Fame?

It’s been a week since the Boston Red Sox legend, David Ortiz, got his Baseball Hall of Fame induction. Legends like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, who were in their last year of eligibility ballot, didn’t receive the recognition. This whole scenario sparked controversy among the baseball fraternity. 

But apart from Bonds and Clemens, there was another MLB legend who didn’t get the Hall of Fame honour. Former MLB player and the New York Yankees legend Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez was among the ten shortlisted candidates for the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction. But, the Yankees legend didn’t get into the Hall of Fame because of the fewer votes he received from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA).

How did Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez miss out on Hall of Fame ?

This year marked the first year A-Rod was eligible for the Hall of Fame induction. However, he received only 34.3 percent of votes and fell short of the required 75 percent. His number of votes was the primary reason he didn’t get Hall of Fame induction.

But why did he not get more votes? There might be another reason for it. Apart from being a pro baseball player, Alex Rodriguez was surrounded by controversies during his playing days. His alleged connection of using PEDs between the 2001 to 2003 season. Of which, A-Rod himself admitted to using PEDs, and received a full-season suspension from the MLB in 2014.

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As per USA Today, A-Rod himself had said that his decision to use PEDs might have cost him a place in the Hall of Fame.

“It cost me my reputation, and it may have cost me the Hall of Fame and a number of other things” said A-Rod.

Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez in MLB

However, considering his gameplay and longevity in the MLB, he was one of the best players of his time. After completing his one-year suspension, he made his comeback for the Yankees side in 2015 and retired in the 2016 season.

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A-Rod made his MLB debut with Seattle Mariners in 1994 and played 22 seasons in the major league. During his 22 years of MLB career, A-Rod has spent half of his time at the Yankees, 2004-13, and his last season in 2016.