It seems voting for Donald Trump has taken an unexpected role in baseball, at least according to longtime MLB pitcher Tommy John. During an interview on The Michael Kay Show on Wednesday afternoon, the four-time All-Star offered a rather surprising explanation as to why he hasn’t been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
When asked why he thought he hadn’t made it to Cooperstown, John didn’t cite statistics, controversies, or overlooked achievements. Instead, he pointed to his political views. “Maybe because I voted for Donald Trump,” John said. “Probably. I don’t know. I have no idea. If I knew and I could do something, I would do it. But I can’t.”
The response was met with a moment of awkward silence from the hosts, leaving listeners to wonder if he was serious or making an offhand joke. While the hosts on The Michael Kay Show may have been caught off guard, John’s comment has since sparked a wave of reactions and questions about whether politics can influence a player’s legacy and Hall of Fame chances.
Tommy John’s name is forever tied to baseball, not only for his long career but also for the pioneering surgery that bears his name. The “Tommy John Surgery,” a ligament replacement procedure in the elbow, has saved the careers of countless pitchers over the years. John’s own career spanned from 1963 to 1989, and he played for several teams, including the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Yankees.
From a purely statistical perspective, John appears to have a Hall of Fame-worthy resume. He posted a career 3.34 ERA, collected 288 wins, and struck out 2,245 batters over his long tenure. His longevity—spanning 26 seasons—was remarkable, and some argue that his career numbers were more about his staying power than pure dominance. Still, many believe that John’s contributions to the game, both on and off the field, warrant a place in Cooperstown.
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However, John’s path to the Hall of Fame has been less than smooth. Throughout his eligibility, he never garnered more than 31.7% of the votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA), far below the required 75% threshold for induction.
For context, players remain on the Hall of Fame ballot for up to 10 years after retirement, and if they fail to reach the 75% vote requirement, they fall off the ballot. Despite the surgery that changed the game, John’s performance in his era hasn’t been enough to sway enough voters over the years.
As for his claim that his support for Donald Trump may have kept him out of the Hall of Fame, there’s little evidence to suggest that political views have factored into the voting process.
Hall of Fame voters typically focus on a player’s statistics, achievements, and character as they relate to their baseball career, rather than their personal political beliefs. In John’s case, it’s more likely that his exclusion from Cooperstown stems from a debate over his career stats rather than his political preferences.
While Tommy John’s political leanings may have surprised some listeners, it’s safe to say that they haven’t played a significant role in his Hall of Fame voting history. The real conversation surrounding his Hall of Fame candidacy remains focused on his numbers, longevity, and impact on the game. Regardless of his Hall of Fame status, Tommy John has left an indelible mark on baseball, with his surgical legacy cementing his influence for generations to come.
In the end, the question of whether Tommy John belongs in the Hall of Fame continues to be a debate centered around his baseball career, not his political affiliations.
Whether or not his political views play any role in this discussion, it seems that the primary factors will remain his statistics and contributions to the sport.
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