Longtime left-handed pitcher Cole Hamels has the best career WAR (59) among the players scheduled to debut next year and Ryan Braun (47.1%) was an MVP winner, but neither of them has the credentials probably necessary to be earn induction – even if voters take a more liberal approach over their 10 years on the ballot.

In a video posted on X by sports writer Jose de Jesus Ortiz, Wagner leaned against a pool table while taking the call. He listened for more than 15 seconds before he put his hand on his face, fighting tears and hunching over. “Thank you,” he eventually said to the person on the other end of the phone.