COOPERSTOWN, Pa. – It appears it will be a one-and-done candidacy for former Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun in his quest to make it to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Braun’s box was checked on just 15 ballots by the Baseball Writers Association of America in results released January 20. By failing to receive at least 5% of the vote, he will not be considered by the BBWAA for the Class of 2027.
The Class of 2026 will include three players: Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones were elected by the BBWAA with votes on 84.2% and 78.4% of ballots submitted, respectively; Jeff Kent was elected in December by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee.
2026 was Braun’s first year on the hall of fame ballot along with fellow former Brewer Gio González, who himself did not receive a single vote. Another former Brewers pitcher, Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez, earned a vote on 11.8% of ballots in his fourth year of eligibility.
Over his 14 year major league career, all with Milwaukee, Braun tallied 352 home runs and made six All-Star Game appearances, won Rookie of the Year honors in 2007, and was named NL MVP in 2011. But his 2013 season was cut short after his suspension for admitting to using performance-enhancing drugs following years of denial. That admission along with his connection to the Biogenesis scandal likely diminished his chances of recording enough votes to stay on the ballot.
It’s possible, though a long-shot, that Braun could be elected by the same contemporary era committee that elected Kent in December; they will next consider players who played from 1980 to the present in 2028.
Braun was inducted into the Brewers Walk of Fame in 2024.
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