Atlanta Braves legend Brian McCann finds himself on this year's Hall of Fame ballot. McCann is an important part of Braves history and one of the most respected players in the history of the franchise. However, it would appear the former catcher's chances of making the Hall of Fame are all but dead. For those keeping track of their favorite player's Hall of Fame chances, Ryan Thibodaux has you covered with a long history of keeping fans informed on the likelihood of who is getting in.
This year's tracker has Brian McCann appearing on just 4.2% of ballots thus far. Not only does this obviously eliminate the catcher from this year's class but likely means he will be eliminated altogether. Fellow catcher Russell Martin is currently ahead of McCann though neither player is nowhere close to being in consideration.
JAWS and the 2025 Hall of Fame Ballot: Brian McCann by @jay_jaffe for @fangraphs: The following article is part of Jay Jaffe’s... https://t.co/5EluICbweg
— New York BBWAA (@NYBBWAA) December 21, 2024
Brian McCann remains an Atlanta Braves legend but not a Hall of Fame player
Brian McCann finished his career as a 7-time All-Star with 6-Silver Slugger awards, 268-career homeruns, and 1,018- runs driven in. These are impressive accomplishments that allowed the veteran a fifteen-year career spending time with the Braves, Yankees, and Astros.
McCann's accomplishments at a wearing position deserve recognition and respect. This is especially the case from Braves fans who know how the former catcher carried himself and represented the franchise during his time in Atlanta. With all of that said, there simply isn't a viable case to be made that Brian McCann belongs in the Hall of Fame. This isn't the NBA where simply showing up for a decade is nearly enough to get you in.
To get into the Hall you need at least one of two things, elite numbers or an incredible postseason and World Series history. With all respect to the catcher's accomplishments, both are lacking for a player who simply isn't going to be able to form an argument he belongs to be a part of the most elite in baseball history.
Iván Rodríguez (2017) and Joe Mauer (2024) are the only recent catchers elected into the Hall of Fame. Both have far more impressive offensive accomplishments than McCann and arguably more of a historical impact on their respective teams.
Looking at a comparison between Russell Martin, Joe Mauer, Brian McCann, and Iván Rodríguez the distance between McCann and his counterparts becomes clearer. McCann's only argument is weak with his only comparable numbers being Silver Slugger awards and a World Series ring. Every meaningful statistical category falls in the camp of the two Hall of Fame catchers. Even Martin has an edge over McCann in career WAR, though Brian's offensive numbers are more impressive than Martin's.
The point remains clear, Brian McCann is not a Hall of Fame-worthy player and if the current numbers hold has no chance of getting in. The catcher remains a Braves legend and had an incredible career, but not one deserving of the highest honor in baseball.