2023 Baseball HOF preview: Best of this year's 'one-and-dones'

With the Baseball Hall of Fame's class of 2023 announcement approaching, it's time to review this year's ballot. We'll start with a look back at great moments from this year's "one-and-dones": the first-time candidates who likely won't receive 5% of the vote, eliminating them from future consideration.

Note: All WAR figures from Baseball Reference unless otherwise noted.

Bronson Arroyo

Position: SP
Years: 2000-2017
Teams: Pirates, Red Sox, Reds, D-Backs
JAWS: 23.1 (412th at SP)
WAR: 23.4 (410th)

Arroyo spent a decade as a solid and dependable starter in the majors despite a late breakout at age 27. From 2005-13, he averaged 33 starts and 211 innings a season and only missed the 200-inning mark once - by a single inning - during that span. Though he may still be best known for his role on the 2004 Red Sox championship club during his breakout season, Arroyo actually spent the bulk of his career in Cincinnati, where he helped the Reds to three playoff berths. He ranks sixth in franchise history in strikeouts and was elected to the Reds Hall of Fame in October.

Fun fact: Arroyo actually made his big-league debut at the plate as a pinch hitter, one day before his first career start.

The moment: Perhaps the best start of Arroyo's career was Game 2 of the 2012 NLDS, when he tossed seven shutout innings against the Giants. But let's be honest: The image most people remember is A-Rod slapping his glove.

Matt Cain

Position: SP
Years: 2005-2017
Teams: Giants
JAWS: 29.1 (291st at SP)
WAR: 29.1 (310th)

Cain was one of the most important figures of the Giants' mini-dynasty in the early 2010s before injuries ended his career prematurely. Over the first seven full seasons of his career, he made three All-Star teams, had six straight 200-inning seasons, and was dominant in the playoffs. Cain teamed with Tim Lincecum and Madison Bumgarner to pitch the Giants to their first two World Series titles of the decade (he was injured in 2014) and didn't allow an earned run during three postseason starts in 2010. Unfortunately, elbow issues curtailed his effectiveness after 2012, leading to his retirement at age 32.

Fun fact: Cain is one of an MLB-record nine pitchers to have recorded at least 1,500 strikeouts with the Giants franchise.

The moment: On June 13, 2012, Cain threw the 22nd perfect game in MLB history. His 14 strikeouts tied Sandy Koufax's record for a perfecto.

R.A. Dickey

Position: SP
Years: 2001-2017
Teams: Rangers, Mariners, Twins, Mets, Blue Jays, Braves
JAWS: 23.0 (415th at SP)
WAR: 23.7 (407th)

Dickey will very likely go down as the last great knuckleball pitcher. He first turned to the pitch while struggling to survive as a conventional pitcher in 2005, but it still took him another few years to secure his spot in the bigs. It wasn't until his age-37 season in 2012 that Dickey truly broke out as a star with the Mets, authoring a season for the ages that made him the first - and likely only - knuckleballer to win a Cy Young. Though he never again reached those heights, Dickey remained an effective mid-rotation starter and helped the Blue Jays snap their 20-year playoff drought in 2015.

Fun fact: In January 2012, Dickey hiked to the summit of Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness and money for the Bombay Teen Challenge, an organization that helps rescue and care for sex trafficking victims in India.

The moment: During his Cy Young season, Dickey became the first National League pitcher since 1944 to throw consecutive one-hitters. He allowed just one unearned run over the two starts.

Jacoby Ellsbury

Position: OF
Years: 2007-2017
Teams: Red Sox, Yankees
JAWS: 29.6 (79th at CF)
WAR: 31.2 (85th)

A demon on the basepaths, Ellsbury won three stolen-base titles in 11 big-league seasons. He remains the most recent player to swipe 70 bags and was caught just 71 times in his career for a remarkable 82.85% success rate. Ellsbury was key to two Red Sox championships, hitting .438 during their 2007 sweep of the Rockies as a September call-up and then winning one as their starting center fielder in 2013. His best individual season came in 2011, when he authored a 30-30 campaign, won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger, and was the AL MVP runner-up. Ellsbury signed a seven-year contract with the Yankees in 2014 but failed to live up to expectations and was released before the final year of the deal after missing two full seasons with injuries.

Fun fact: Ellsbury holds both the career (31) and single-season (nine) records for reaching base via catcher's interference.

The moment: Ellsbury was a monster in Game 3 of the 2007 World Series. He became just the third rookie - and first since 1948 - to have a four-hit game in the Fall Classic and the fourth rookie with a three-double World Series game.

Andre Ethier

Position: OF
Years: 2006-2017
Teams: Dodgers
JAWS: 20.2 (121st at RF)
WAR: 21.5 (114th)

Always a steady contributor, Ethier's 1,367 hits rank seventh in the Dodgers' Los Angeles history (since 1958). While he didn't often top the league leaderboards, the Arizona State product had a smooth swing that helped him net seven straight 30-double seasons, including a career-high 42 in 2009, and played solid defense at all three outfield positions. Ethier was a two-time All-Star who won a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove, and he was part of eight Dodgers playoff teams over 12 big-league seasons. A slew of injuries limited him to just 38 games over his final two campaigns, but he was healthy enough to play in the 2017 World Series before retiring.

Fun fact: Ethier was never afraid of the moment, ripping 14 career walk-off hits and a Dodgers record-tying seven walk-off homers during his career.

The moment: Ethier's winning blast on Sept. 15, 2009, was his fourth walk-off homer of that season, tying the single-season record. It was also his 30th homer of 2009, the only time he reached that mark.

J.J. Hardy

Position: SS
Years: 2005-2017
Teams: Brewers, Twins, Orioles
JAWS: 26.0 (82nd at SS)
WAR: 28.1 (82nd)

Though never a star, Hardy certainly left his mark as one of the finest defensive shortstops of his time. His 84 defensive runs saved still ranks second among all shortstops since 2005, trailing only Andrelton Simmons, and he earned three Gold Gloves despite significant competition at the position. While primarily remembered for his glovework, Hardy also had some pop in his bat, making two All-Star teams, winning one Silver Slugger, and hitting 20 homers on five occasions, including a career-high 30 in 2011. He was the starting shortstop on five playoff teams, most notably during the Orioles' resurgence in the early 2010s.

Fun fact: Hardy's 107 homers with Baltimore are the second-most by a shortstop in Orioles history, behind Cal Ripken Jr.

The moment: Always a favorite in Baltimore, Orioles fans and players showered Hardy with love during his final game at Camden Yards in 2017. He made the goodbye even more memorable by ripping two hits, including a home run.

John Lackey

Position: SP
Years: 2002-2017
Teams: Angels, Red Sox, Cardinals, Cubs
JAWS: 33.3 (222nd at SP)
WAR: 37.3 (208th)

Wherever Lackey went, success usually followed. The 6-foot-6 Texan made the playoffs in 10 of his 15 big-league seasons and played critical roles in World Series victories for the Angels, Red Sox, and Cubs. He started and won Game 7 of the 2002 World Series, making him the first rookie to achieve the feat since 1909. He'd win another World Series clincher for Boston in 2013, becoming the first pitcher to earn the title-clinching victory with two different franchises. Lackey, one of 20 pitchers to beat all 30 teams at least once, was a consistent workhorse, regularly topping the 200-inning mark and throwing at least 160 innings in each of his final 14 seasons. He was an All-Star and Cy Young finalist in 2007.

Fun fact: After joining the Cardinals at the 2014 trade deadline, Lackey traded an autographed Babe Ruth baseball to his new teammate Pat Neshek for his preferred uniform No. 41.

The moment: Lackey's Boston tenure was often rocky and filled with controversy, but all was forgiven after his 2013 World Series performance. As he left the mound following his series-clinching Game 6 start, the Fenway faithful showered Lackey with a thunderous ovation.

Mike Napoli

Position: C/1B/DH
Years: 2006-2017
Teams: Angels, Rangers, Red Sox, Indians
JAWS: 24.2 (53rd at C)
WAR: 26.3 (55th)

If Napoli was on your team, it was always a party. Originally a catcher, Napoli eventually moved to first base and designated hitter on account of knee issues and subpar defense behind the plate. But it was his productive bat - and fun-loving personality - that brought him fame as a fan favorite for 12 seasons. He surpassed the 20-homer mark in eight of his 12 seasons and hit 30 in only 113 games during his career-best 2011 campaign in Texas. A member of eight playoff teams, Napoli participated in three World Series with three different franchises, winning a ring with Boston in 2013. His 10 RBIs in the 2011 World Series are tied for third in a single Fall Classic.

Fun fact: Napoli is one of five players in baseball history to hit a postseason home run for four different teams.

The moment: Game 5 of the 2011 World Series was probably the personal pinnacle of Napoli's career. He drove in the game-winning runs with an eighth-inning double and threw out two runners stealing - including one in the ninth - to give the Rangers a 3-2 series lead.

Jhonny Peralta

Position: SS/3B
Years: 2003-2017
Teams: Indians, Tigers, Cardinals
JAWS: 28.5 (74th at SS)
WAR: 30.4 (74th)

Peralta quietly fashioned a career as an efficient shortstop (and occasional third baseman) with plenty of pop at the plate. A three-time All-Star, the Dominican had five 20-homer seasons and was part of six playoff teams with three franchises, including the 2012 AL champion Tigers. From 2005-15, he recorded at least 10 home runs and 25 doubles in each season, averaging 17 homers a year over that span. In 2013, Peralta served a 50-game suspension for his role in the Biogenesis performance-enhancing drug scandal, though he returned in time for the playoffs.

Fun fact: Peralta once held the single-season home-run records for shortstops for both the Guardians and Cardinals franchises. He was the first shortstop in Cardinals history to have a 20-homer season.

The moment: With the Tigers being shut out and on the verge of elimination in Game 4 of the 2013 ALDS, Peralta ripped a game-tying three-run homer that turned the entire series around.

Huston Street

Position: RP
Years: 2005-2017
Teams: Athletics, Rockies, Padres, Angels
JAWS: 13.3 (131st at RP)
WAR: 14.5 (118th)

One of the ultimate one-inning closers, Street could always be counted on in the ninth inning. He rocketed to the majors less than a year after being drafted by the A's and became an immediate success, winning AL Rookie of the Year in 2005. Street would go on to become a two-time All-Star with two 40-save seasons, and he had an ERA below 2.00 three times. Though injuries ended his career prematurely, Street ranks 20th on baseball's all-time saves list.

Fun fact: Street ranks in the top six in career saves for each of the Athletics, Rockies, Padres, and Angels franchises. He collected at least 80 saves with three of the four teams he pitched for.

The moment: Street became the 27th reliever with 300 career saves on July 22, 2015.

Jered Weaver

Position: SP
Years: 2006-2017
Teams: Angels, Padres
JAWS: 32.9 (226th at SP)
WAR: 34.6 (237th)

For nearly a decade, Weaver was an indispensable presence atop the Angels' rotation. A first-round pick out of nearby Long Beach State, Weaver started with a bang, winning his first nine big-league decisions in 2006. He was a three-time All-Star who twice led the AL in wins, won a strikeout title, and was a two-time Cy Young finalist, including finishing as the runner-up in 2011. Unfortunately, the back half of his career was marked by declining velocity and hip issues, leading to his retirement at age 34. One of the Angels' most accomplished pitchers ever, he ranks second in franchise history in wins and third in strikeouts and WAR.

Fun fact: Weaver and teammate Jose Arredondo combined to lose a no-hitter against the Dodgers on June 28, 2008. However, the no-hitter is considered unofficial because the Angels, as the road team, didn't pitch in the ninth inning.

The moment: Weaver finally got his official no-hitter on May 2, 2012, when he shut down the Minnesota Twins in a nine-strikeout masterpiece.

Jayson Werth

Position: OF
Years: 2002-2017
Teams: Blue Jays, Dodgers, Phillies, Nationals
JAWS: 28.3 (82nd at RF)
WAR: 29.2 (85th)

A late bloomer, Werth bounced through four organizations and overcame a slew of injuries before finally breaking out with the Phillies in 2007, at age 28. For the next 11 years, he'd serve as a hard-working glue guy and fan favorite who was a critical part of several winning teams. Werth had a monster World Series in 2008, hitting .444 during the Phillies' five-game victory over Tampa Bay, and was an All-Star the following year. After jumping to the Nationals in 2011, he gave the fledgling club a veteran presence as it rose to prominence, helping it to four playoff berths and earning himself a place in the Nationals Ring of Honor. Werth received down-ballot MVP votes four times during his career and led the NL with 46 doubles in 2010.

Fun fact: Werth comes from a rich lineage of baseball talent. His grandfather, Ducky Schofield, and uncle, Dick Schofield Jr., were both longtime MLB shortstops who won World Series titles, while his stepfather, Dennis Werth, played parts of four big-league seasons.

The moment: Werth's most famous swing came in Game 4 of the 2012 NLDS, when he won a 13-pitch battle against Lance Lynn by slugging a walk-off homer to force a deciding Game 5.