With the 2013 Hall of Fame announcements just a matter of weeks away, it’s easy to look back at all the past players who have been inducted into Cooperstown as they represent the best the game has ever seen and will forever be enshrined in history.
But what about those who don’t have a plaque in Cooperstown? There are many players who could arguably be in the Hall of Fame, but for one reason or another they’ve been left off the final ballots and remain on the outside looking in.
Here are some of the best former players that haven’t—and in some cases won’t—get the call to join baseball’s best in Cooperstown.
Note: Slideshow does not include first-time ballot players (Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Craig Biggio, Mike Piazza).