"At that time, I’m on top of the world—2010 World Series champ, everybody loves me, team leader, that whole deal. And in 2012, I have a picture of this parade and I’m in the back, Hunter ...

A few such players already have had a turn on the writers ballots without getting even one vote: Aubrey Huff (2018), Carl Crawford (2022), James Shields (2024), Ben Zobrist (2025). There are some ...