This is one of those days during the off-season that holds a special place in my heart. The Hall Of Fame Ballot release day offers a fascinating glimpse not only into the newly eligible players but also those making a return. This year, the new class is exceptionally deep, in my opinion, featuring two players who deserve to be among the first ballot Hall Of Famers.

Unraveling the Hall Of Fame Ballot Drama

Ichiro Suzuki: A Hitting Sensation

Ichiro Suzuki's impact on the baseball world is truly remarkable. With an astonishing 3,089 hits in the MLB alone, and when counting his achievements in Japan, it surpasses 4,000. He stands out as one of the finest defensive outfielders of this century. His consistent performance and remarkable skills have left an indelible mark. There's no doubt that he is a lock for the Hall Of Fame. The only question that remains is whether his induction will be unanimous. However, we all know that there are always a few "asshole voters" who might try to spoil the moment.Ichiro's journey through the baseball landscape is a story of excellence. His ability to consistently get on base and make things happen with his bat is unparalleled. He has inspired generations of players and fans alike. His presence in the Hall Of Fame will be a well-deserved recognition of his outstanding career.

C.C. Sabathia: A Winning Force

C.C. Sabathia's career is a testament to his dominance on the baseball field. With 251 career wins, it is no easy feat to achieve such a milestone in this era of baseball. He is also ranked 18th all-time in strikeouts, further solidifying his place among the greats. Sabathia's impact goes beyond just his wins; he has been a key contributor to many teams' success.When it comes to his Hall Of Fame candidacy, Sabathia should definitely be a first ballot guy. His consistent performance and ability to lead his teams to victory make him a worthy candidate. The only question that arises is which team's hat will adorn his plaque. Given his more wins with the Yankees and his World Series victory there, it is likely that he will go down in history as a Yankee.

Billy Wagner: The Closer Extraordinaire

Billy Wagner's case on the Hall Of Fame ballot is a unique one. This is his very last chance to make it, and he came painfully close last year. To be inducted, he needed 75% of the vote, and he received 73.6%. Watching his growth among the ballots has been a wild ride. In his second year on the ballot, he only had 10.3%. However, more and more voters have come to recognize his true greatness. Despite not having post-season success, he has been one of the greatest closers of all time.Wagner's ability to close out games with authority and precision is something that will be remembered for years to come. His impact on the teams he played for cannot be overstated. If given the opportunity, he would have my vote without a doubt. His career as a closer is a testament to his skill and determination.

The Rest of the Ballot: A Mixed Bag

The rest of the Hall Of Fame ballot is a lot more questionable. Players like Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltran have the potential to be inducted one day. Jones has 3 years left on the ballot and Beltran has 8 years. While they both have time, with this year's ballot being so stacked, it seems unlikely that they will make it this season.Felix Hernandez, Dustin Pedroia, and Chase Utley just fall short. For various reasons, their careers were not long enough to secure a Hall Of Fame induction. If Pedroia had never gotten injured, his career might have been more similar to Barry Larkin's and he could have made it. But Larkin played 650 more games than Pedroia. Utley played more games than Pedroia, but he only received 28.8% of the vote last year, and it is difficult to see voters putting him in with only 1,885 career hits.King Felix is a different story. He has the potential to surprise us. Maybe voters will focus more on his dominant stats and overlook some of his compiling stats. He is the anti-Andy Pettitte in a way. While Pettitte played on dominant teams with post-season success and ended up with more career wins than Sabathia, he was never considered among the very best pitchers. I believe that Hernandez won't make it this year, but he should at least stay on the ballot for another year to give us more time to consider his case. I could be swayed by his performance.

The Steroid Guys: A Different Story

When it comes to Hall Of Fame voting, Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, and Andy Pettitte are often associated with the steroid era. We use Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens as the benchmarks here. Bonds and Clemens had Hall of Fame careers before using steroids and still didn't crack 67%. If those guys couldn't get close, it is unlikely that these guys will make it. A-Rod hasn't even reached 36%.The rest of the list includes players like Bobby Abreu, Curtis Grandson, and David Wright, who had truly fantastic careers. However, we need to be realistic and understand that their chances of getting into the Hall Of Fame are slim. It is more likely that they will fall off the ballot entirely.We will all find out the results on Tuesday January 21st at 6 PM. This is one of the best days of the year as we await the announcement. But if Ichiro, Sabathia, and Wagner don't all get in, it will be a disappointing day. Let's hope for the best and celebrate the great players who have left their mark on the game.