There’s one lock for the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020, and he got one step closer to his inevitable day in Cooperstown on Monday.
New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time, and it’s widely assumed that he will headline the next class.
Jeter is one of 18 first-timers on the ballot. He’s joined by Brian Roberts, who spent 13 of his 14 major league seasons playing second base for the Baltimore Orioles.
Roberts batted .276 for his career, stole 285 bases and recorded 542 RBI. He was a two-time All-Star and twice led the American League in doubles.
Other new names on the ballot include two players who had a brief stay with the Washington Nationals: Alfonso Soriano and Adam Dunn. The list also includes Jason Giambi, Paul Konerko and pitchers Cliff Lee and Josh Beckett.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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