He admitted to using human-growth hormone, but was never punished. Ramirez, one of the finest right-handed hitters of his era, was suspended three times. Rodriguez, one of the greatest players in history, also received the largest drug suspension in baseball, missing the entire 2014 season. YES: Bonds, Clemens, Sosa, Sheffield and Ortiz. 25 election, but here’s how I’ll be voting on the performance-enhancing drug class. I won’t reveal my entire ballot until close to the Jan. If you were never punished or suspended, you are judged on your own merits like everyone else. You not only embarrassed yourself, but you hurt your team with your absence. If you were punished or suspended when Major League Baseball implemented its drug policy after the 2004 season, you’re automatically out.
To me, it’s rather easy because of my definitive line of demarcation.
MARRIOTT GMS PLUS
You know the names: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, Manny Ramirez, Gary Sheffield, Andy Pettitte plus newcomers Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz.
There are 30 players on the ballot, with nearly a third of them publicly linked to steroid use. It’s the most controversial, provocative and perhaps even scandalous ballot in Hall of Fame voting history. “Hey, how you planning to handle the steroid guys this year on your ballot?" It is the most often-asked question among baseball writers these days with just two weeks remaining before the deadline. Watch Video: Sign(ings) of optimism? Why the MLB lockout likely won’t delay start of season