Toronto Blue Jays: Joe Carter unlikely to be voted into the Hall of Fame

Former Toronto Blue Jays star Joe Carter has been named to the Today’s Game Era ballot, and we look at his chances of finally being voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Toronto Blue Jays fans received both a blast from the past and some good news on Monday afternoon. Joe Carter has been given another shot at the Baseball Hall of Fame.

As reported by Daniel Kramer of MLB.com, the 2019 Today’s Game Era committee ballot was revealed. And right there among the 10 individuals, was Carter.

Voting will take place on Dec. 9, at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. Kramer went on to write that a 16-member Hall of Fame Board-appointed electorate will be announced later on in the fall, to review the ballot.

In all honesty, it should come as little surprise that Carter was included in this year’s ballot. Among those deciding who to include, was none other than former Toronto Sun baseball reporter Bob Elliott.

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Apart from their joint association with the Blue Jays, Carter and Elliot also have another thing in common. Both were previously inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, in 2003 and 2015 respectively.

The Today’s Game Era ballot is only considered twice every five years, making this opportunity even more precious for Carter. But what are his chances of actually finally being inducted into the Hall of Fame?

The 58-year-old previously became eligible to be voted in the Hall of Fame in 2004. However, as per Graham Womack of Sporting News, he only received 3.8 percent of the votes and was dropped from future ballots.

Carter will need 75 percent of this year’s vote, to be elected into the Hall of Fame. In this respect, his résumé offers at least some hope.

The Oklahoma City native had an impressive 10 100 RBI seasons during his 16-year career in the Majors, with six of them coming in Toronto. In 1986 he was the AL RBI leader, with a career-high 121. (He also achieved this total in 1993.)

Carter produced six 30 home run campaigns, with four of them achieved while as a member of the Blue Jays. For his career, he hit 396 homers.

The 1981 second overall draft pick made five All-Star appearances during his career, all with the Blue Jays. He also won two Silver Slugger Awards, again while in Toronto.

And of course, Carter produced one of the most iconic moments in franchise and league history, with his winning home run in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series. But will this all be enough to achieve the ultimate individual accomplishment for a baseball player?

On the one hand, 75 percent is a lot to ask of most individuals. However, given that the committee will only have 16 members it will — theoretically at least — be slightly easier to gain favour, especially if one or two voters want him inducted and have the reputation and ability to influence others.

Overall, the odds still seem against Carter finally being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, this is one occasion when this writer would have absolutely no problem with being proved wrong.

How do you rate Carter’s Hall of Fame chances? Will the former Toronto Blue Jays star be voted in or not, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.