Five Named to Rotisserie Hall of Fame

While the baseball universe waits for the always-controversial Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) Hall of Fame announcement, the fantasy industry has named its 2018 picks for the Rotisserie Hall of Fame: Carlos Beltran, Cliff Lee, Joe Nathan, Alex Rodriguez and Johan Santana. They are the 98th, 99th, 100th, 101st and 102nd members of the Roto Hall.

Eligibility for the Roto Hall is based on lifetime and peak Rotisserie dollar earnings, and number of times ranked within the top 15 batters or pitchers during the player’s career.

Unlike the BBWAA, there is no waiting period for Roto Hall induction. If a player meets all the other criteria, he can be inducted as soon as he officially retires.

Complete details about the eligibility criteria appear here.

Here are descriptions of the Roto Hall’s five new members (full player profile pages will be posted to the site shortly):

Carlos Beltran
Inducted with: New York Mets (2nd inductee with this team)
No. years in Majors: 20
Career 5×5 earnings: $445
Average annual earnings, career: $22
Average annual earnings, peak: $30
No. years in top 15: 5

During the eight seasons from 2001 to 2008, Beltran was at the top of his game, earning over $30 in seven of those years. During that period, he averaged over 29 HRs, 104 RBI, 29 stolen bases and batted .282. Beltran maintained his productivity late into his career, posting four $20-plus seasons from 2011 to 2016.

His $445 lifetime earnings tie him for 20th all time (with Vladimir Guerrero).

Cliff Lee
Inducted with: Cleveland Indians (3rd inductee with this team)
No. years in Majors: 13
Career 5×5 earnings: $180
Average annual earnings, career: $14
Average annual earnings, peak: $22
No. years in top 15: 4

Lee last pitched in the majors in 2014, but even though injuries have kept him on the shelf, there is no indication that he has officially retired. Regardless, it is doubtful he will return as he approaches 40.

Lee’s career started slowly but he shifted into high gear with his 2008 Cy Young season, which kicked off a six-year stretch of $20-plus performances. Lee’s $14 average annual earnings fell just short of the $15 qualifier but he made up for it with four Top 15 finishes.

Joe Nathan
Inducted with: Minnesota Twins (4th inductee with this team)
No. years in Majors: 16
Career 5×5 earnings: $191
Average annual earnings, career: $12
Average annual earnings, peak: $22
No. years in top 15: 5

Nathan is the 11th relief pitcher to qualify for the Roto Hall. His $12 average annual earnings were low, thanks to several sub-par seasons at the beginning and end of his career, but he made up for it with an excellent peak. He had six consecutive $20-plus seasons – four of them qualifying for the Top 15 – from 2004-2009.

Alex Rodriguez
Inducted with: New York Yankees (8th inductee with this team)
No. years in Majors: 22
Career 5×5 earnings: $621
Average annual earnings, career: $28
Average annual earnings, peak: $41
No. years in top 15: 10

Rodriguez could have been inducted a year ago, but it was unclear at the time whether he might come back. But there is no question about his qualifications.

A-Rod’s career earnings rank third all-time, behind Barry Bonds and Rickey Henderson, and he’s held that position for eight years. He’s tied with Bonds for 2nd place in annual peak earnings. He is one of only eight players who have ranked in the Top 15 at least 10 times. His six consecutive years in the Top 15 is tied for third best overall.

Rodriguez is only the 13th player to qualify for the Rotisserie Gold Hall.

Johan Santana
Inducted with: Minnesota Twins (5th inductee with this team)
No. years in Majors: 12
Career 5×5 earnings: $222
Average annual earnings, career: $19
Average annual earnings, peak: $30
No. years in top 15: 5

Like Lee, injuries kept Santana out of the majors for several years and the Roto Hall kept waiting before inducting him. It was actually his appearance on the BBWAA ballot this year that triggered his Roto Hall review now.

Santana’s career was short but his peak impact was notable. From 2004 to 2008, he earned $39, $33, $39, $29 and $30, a 5-year total of $170 that has been exceeded by only four other pitchers – Roto Hall members Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson, and Clayton Kershaw.

Roto Hall of Fame statistics and rankings