The Mexican Fernando Valenzuela was left out again Baseball Hall of Famefailing to obtain the necessary votes from the contemporary era committee.
While Jeff Kent If he did reach the required support, the Mexican icon received less than five votes, a figure that automatically leaves him excluded from the next cycle.
Kent appeared on 14 of the 16 ballots, exceeding the minimum of 12 by two to reach the necessary 75%. In contrast, Valenzuela was marginalized along with Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens y Gary Sheffieldwho also did not obtain sufficient support.
Fernando Valenzuela, out of the Baseball Hall of Fame
The decision hits hard Mexicowhere Valenzuela continues to be a historical figure and a cultural reference for his impact on the Dodgers and the remembered “Fernandomania”.
However, under rules announced in March, any candidate with fewer than five votes is disqualified in the next three-year cycle.
This complicates their eventual entry in 2028, when players from the contemporary era will be evaluated again.
Behind their exclusion are also the recent changes in the veterans committees, reorganized in 2022 to divide eras and candidate profiles.
These committees meet every three years and have strict guidelines regarding eligibility.
That affects not only Valenzuela, but also controversial figures like Bonds and Clemens, whose history with steroid allegations It continues to weigh on them, even though they both deny having deliberately used substances.
The vote also left out the Puerto Rican Carlos Delgadowho obtained nine votes, while Don Mattingly y Dale Murphy They received six each.
Bonds, Clemens, Sheffield and Valenzuela fell below the minimum threshold.
Jeff Kent enters the Hall of Fame in 2026
Kent, for his part, will be induced in Cooperstown on July 26.
Over 17 seasons he batted .290 with 377 home runs and 1,518 RBIs. His 351 home runs as a second baseman are a record for the position.
Its rise on the ballots has been gradual: it debuted with 15.2% in 2014 and reached a maximum of 46.5% in 2023 in the vote of the BBWAA.
The decision also reignites discussions about the fairness and consistency of the process, especially after the announcement that Pete Rose could appear for the first time on a Hall ballot in December 2027.
This after his permanent suspension was considered over after his death in 2024.
The Valenzuela’s exclusion generates frustration among Mexican fans and analysts who consider that their legacy and cultural impact should weigh more in the process. Despite this, the committee privileged other numbers and maintained a strict stance.
The hope for theTour” is renewed each cycle, although the path looks more complex than ever.