NEW YORK (AP) -- Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa are set to show up on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time, and fans will soon find out whether drug allegations block the former stars from reaching baseball's shrine.
The ballot will be announced Wednesday.
Craig Biggio, Mike Piazza and Curt Schilling are certain to be among the other first-time eligibles. Jack Morris, Jeff Bagwell and Tim Raines are the top holdover candidates.
Longtime members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America will vote through next month. The much-awaited results will be announced Jan. 9, with players needing to be listed on 75 percent of the ballots to gain induction.
The upcoming election is certain to fuel the most polarizing Hall debate since career hits leader Pete Rose's betting problems put him on baseball's permanently ineligible list, barring him from the BBWAA ballot.
Bonds, Clemens and Sosa each posted some of the biggest numbers in the game's history, but were all tainted by accusations that they used performance-enhancing drugs.
Bonds is baseball's all-time home runs leader with 762 and won a record seven MVP awards. Clemens ranks ninth in career wins with 354 and took home a record seven Cy Young Awards. Sosa is eighth on the home run chart with 609.
Fans, players and Hall of Fame members have all chimed in about whether stars who supposedly juiced up during the Steroids Era should make it to Cooperstown.
Many of those opposed say drug cheats should never be afforded baseball's highest individual honors. Others on the opposite side claim the use of performance-enhancing drugs was pervasive in the 1980s and 1990s, and shouldn't disqualify candidates.
If recent voting for the Hall is any indication, the odds are solidly stacked against Bonds, Clemens and Sosa.
Mark McGwire is 10th on the career home run list with 583, but has never received even 24 percent in his six tries. Big Mac has admitted using steroids and human growth hormone.
Rafael Palmeiro is among only four players with 500 homers and 3,000 hits, yet has gotten a high of 12.6 percent in his two years on the ballot. Palmeiro drew a 10-day suspension in 2005 after a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs, and said the result was due to a vitamin vial given to him by teammate Miguel Tejada.e's history, but were all tainted by accusations they used performance-enhancing drugs.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:05 PM EDT2013-05-19 03:05:01 GMT
Alberto Callaspo hit a three-run homer in Los Angeles' five-run seventh inning, and the Angels beat the White Sox 12-9 on Saturday to end Chicago's four-game winning streak.
Alberto Callaspo hit a three-run homer in Los Angeles' five-run seventh inning, and the Angels beat the White Sox 12-9 on Saturday to end Chicago's four-game winning streak.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:56 AM EDT2013-05-17 12:56:16 GMT
Jeff Keppinger walked with the bases loaded to drive in the go-ahead run - his first base on balls in 141 plate appearances this season - and the Chicago White Sox rallied with three runs in the eighth.
Jeff Keppinger walked with the bases loaded to drive in the go-ahead run - his first base on balls in 141 plate appearances this season - and the Chicago White Sox rallied with three runs in the eighth.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 2:51 PM EDT2013-05-15 18:51:57 GMT
Some big headaches are just days away for CTA Red Line riders on Chicago's South Side. The reconstruction of the south branch is scheduled to begin, along with free shuttle service.
Some big headaches are just days away for CTA Red Line riders on Chicago's South Side. The reconstruction of the south branch is scheduled to begin, along with free shuttle service.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 11:09 PM EDT2013-05-15 03:09:36 GMT
Adam Dunn and Dayan Viciedo homered to back another strong start from Jake Peavy and lead the Chicago White Sox to a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.
Adam Dunn and Dayan Viciedo homered to back another strong start from Jake Peavy and lead the Chicago White Sox to a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.
Monday, May 13 2013 11:32 PM EDT2013-05-14 03:32:18 GMT
Rookie Aaron Hicks hit two home runs and made a leaping catch in center field to take a home run away from Adam Dunn in the Minnesota Twins' 10-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night.
Rookie Aaron Hicks hit two home runs and made a leaping catch in center field to take a home run away from Adam Dunn in the Minnesota Twins' 10-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night.
Sunday, May 12 2013 11:23 PM EDT2013-05-13 03:23:10 GMT
Chris Sale pitched a one-hitter after being perfect into the seventh inning, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-0 on Sunday night to avoid a three-game sweep.
Chris Sale pitched a one-hitter after being perfect into the seventh inning, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-0 on Sunday night to avoid a three-game sweep.
Saturday, May 11 2013 11:36 PM EDT2013-05-12 03:36:23 GMT
Mike Trout hit a two-run homer and Jerome Williams pitched into the seventh inning to help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 on Saturday night.
Mike Trout hit a two-run homer and Jerome Williams pitched into the seventh inning to help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 on Saturday night.
Wednesday, May 8 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-09 02:32:38 GMT
Jake Peavy pitched three-hit ball in his return from a balky back, Alejandro De Aza had a leadoff homer and the Chicago White Sox beat the New York Mets 6-3
Jake Peavy pitched three-hit ball in his return from a balky back, Alejandro De Aza had a leadoff homer and the Chicago White Sox beat the New York Mets 6-3
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-19 03:08:37 GMT
Scott Feldman pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning and drove in two runs with a big two-out double, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Mets 8-2 on Saturday.
Scott Feldman pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning and drove in two runs with a big two-out double, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Mets 8-2 on Saturday.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:19 PM EDT2013-05-16 03:19:36 GMT
Jeff Samardzija hit a two-run home run and pitched eight strong innings for his first win since opening day and the Chicago Cubs beat the Colorado Rockies 6-3 on Wednesday night.
Jeff Samardzija hit a two-run home run and pitched eight strong innings for his first win since opening day and the Chicago Cubs beat the Colorado Rockies 6-3 on Wednesday night.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 8:42 AM EDT2013-05-15 12:42:09 GMT
Carlos Gonzalez homered twice and finished with a career-high five hits to lead the struggling Colorado Rockies to a 9-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
Carlos Gonzalez homered twice and finished with a career-high five hits to lead the struggling Colorado Rockies to a 9-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
Monday, May 13 2013 11:24 PM EDT2013-05-14 03:24:50 GMT
Travis Wood pitched seven scoreless innings and the Chicago Cubs came within two outs of their first shutout since last August in a 9-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.
Travis Wood pitched seven scoreless innings and the Chicago Cubs came within two outs of their first shutout since last August in a 9-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.
Monday, May 13 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-13 23:06:49 GMT
Slugging first baseman Anthony Rizzo and the Chicago Cubs agreed Monday to a $41 million, seven-year contract that could be worth up to $68 million over nine seasons.
Slugging first baseman Anthony Rizzo and the Chicago Cubs agreed Monday to a $41 million, seven-year contract that could be worth up to $68 million over nine seasons.
Saturday, May 11 2013 11:33 PM EDT2013-05-12 03:33:42 GMT
Dominant early, Stephen Strasburg fell apart after one of Ryan Zimmerman's two errors and wound up dropping his fifth consecutive decision, an 8-2 loss Saturday to the Chicago Cubs
Dominant early, Stephen Strasburg fell apart after one of Ryan Zimmerman's two errors and wound up dropping his fifth consecutive decision, an 8-2 loss Saturday to the Chicago Cubs
Saturday, May 11 2013 12:12 PM EDT2013-05-11 16:12:33 GMT
Ian Desmond's three hits and Danny Espinosa and Kurt Suzuki also driving in runs with doubles, helped the Washington Nationals beat the Chicago Cubs 7-3 for their season-high fifth consecutive victory.
Ian Desmond's three hits and Danny Espinosa and Kurt Suzuki also driving in runs with doubles, helped the Washington Nationals beat the Chicago Cubs 7-3 for their season-high fifth consecutive victory.
Wednesday, May 8 2013 9:05 PM EDT2013-05-09 01:05:11 GMT
There were the four double plays, one in every inning from the fifth to the eighth. Mix in a wild pitch, an error and a shaky outing from a usually reliable reliever, and that was enough.
There were the four double plays, one in every inning from the fifth to the eighth. Mix in a wild pitch, an error and a shaky outing from a usually reliable reliever, and that was enough.
