2025 Baseball HOF preview: Best of this year's 'one-and-dones'

With the Baseball Hall of Fame's class of 2025 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.

Jump to:
Curtis Granderson I Adam Jones I Ian Kinsler I Russell Martin I Brian McCann I Hanley Ramírez I Fernando Rodney I Troy Tulowitzki I Ben Zobrist

Carlos González

Position: OF
Years: 2008-19
Teams: Athletics, Rockies, Cleveland, Cubs
JAWS: 24.1 (94th at LF)
WAR: 24.4 (98th)

"CarGo" made his MLB debut with Oakland in 2008 before being dealt to Colorado that offseason for Matt Holliday. González became a star in 2010, finishing third in NL MVP voting after winning the batting title and leading the NL in hits and total bases while earning a Silver Slugger, a Gold Glove, and an $80.5-million extension. Though he earned another Silver Slugger and two more Gold Gloves after signing that extension, he never reached the heights of 2010 again. González declined quickly after his 2016 All-Star campaign, accruing just 0.1 WAR over his final three seasons. He played his final game at age 33.

The moment: On July 31, 2010, González hit for the cycle and completed it in style with a massive walk-off home run. This was just the fifth time a player finished his cycle in walk-off fashion, and the feat wouldn't happen again until González's Rockies teammate Nolan Arenado did it six years later.

Fun fact: González's first seven big-league hits were doubles. That made him the first player to begin his career with seven straight extra-base hits since Hall of Famer Johnny Mize in 1936.

Curtis Granderson

Position: CF/RF
Years: 2004-19
Teams: Tigers, Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Brewers, Marlins
JAWS: 40.9 (33rd at CF)
WAR: 47.2 (35th)

Granderson earned three All-Star nods and one Silver Slugger award over his 16-year career. The Chicago native made his name as a solid leadoff man with his speed and on-base abilities while providing great defense in both center and right. Granderson produced his best all-around season in 2011 as a Yankee, finishing fourth in AL MVP voting. He also earned MVP votes in two other seasons. Though he never won a World Series, Granderson appeared in the playoffs eight times and was a starter on pennant winners for the Tigers and Mets. One of the most respected players of his era on and off the field, Granderson won the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award in 2016.

The moment: On May 8, 2009, Granderson went way up to steal a walk-off homer from Grady Sizemore in one of the best home-run robberies you'll ever see.

Fun fact: In 2007, Granderson became the fourth player in MLB history to record a 20-20-20-20 (doubles, triples, home runs, and steals) campaign. His 23 triples in '07 remain the most in a single season since 1949.

Adam Jones

Position: CF
Years: 2006-19
Teams: Mariners, Orioles, D-Backs
JAWS: 29.2 (81st at CF)
WAR: 32.6 (76th)

Drafted as a shortstop, Jones rose quickly through Seattle's system after switching to center but was dealt to Baltimore in a blockbuster deal for Erik Bedard in 2008. The trade quickly turned to disaster for Seattle. While Bedard flopped, Jones became the Orioles' heart and soul over 11 seasons, helping to key the franchise's renaissance in the early 2010s. The five-time All-Star was perhaps best known for his defense, winning four Gold Gloves and leading the league in outfield assists three times. Jones also won a Silver Slugger in 2013 and hit at least 25 homers in seven straight seasons, including 30 twice.

The moment: Jones' most famous catch came while representing his country in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Late in an elimination game against the Dominican Republic, Jones stole a home run from his Orioles teammate Manny Machado to preserve Team USA's slim lead. It was so spectacular that even Machado had to tip his cap.

Fun fact: Jones' trademark pie-in-the-face celebration quickly became a beloved Orioles tradition. At one point, a local bakery even sponsored it. Unfortunately, the team put an end to the celebration in 2016, citing safety concerns.

Ian Kinsler

Position: 2B
Years: 2006-19
Teams: Rangers, Tigers, Angels, Red Sox, Padres
JAWS: 46.1 (21st at 2B)
WAR: 54.1 (20th)

Kinsler's quiet consistency made him one of the finest second basemen of his era. The four-time All-Star was a spark plug atop the Rangers' lineup during their most successful era, hitting 48 career leadoff home runs - good for sixth all time - and turning in a pair of 30-30 campaigns. His 246 homers place seventh among primary second basemen. Defensively, Kinsler won a pair of Gold Gloves late in his career, while his 88 defensive runs saved rank fifth at his position. He helped the Rangers to consecutive AL pennants in 2010 and '11, then propelled the Tigers to a division title in 2014. Kinsler finally earned a ring with Boston in 2018.

The moment: April 15, 2009, was the best day of Kinsler's career. He torched the Orioles by going 6-for-6 and hitting for the cycle during a 19-6 Rangers win, becoming the first player since 1894 to accomplish both feats in a nine-inning game.

Fun fact: Kinsler played his final contest in the majors not as a second baseman but as a pitcher. On Aug. 12, 2019, he entered the Padres' game against Tampa Bay in the ninth and threw a scoreless inning before homering in the bottom half.

Russell Martin

Position: C
Years: 2006-19
Teams: Dodgers, Yankees, Pirates, Blue Jays
JAWS: 33.0 (28th at C)
WAR: 38.8 (27th)

Martin was a rock behind the plate for 14 years. Adept at pitch-framing, his 165.7 framing runs since 2008 (when the data first became available) are tops among all catchers, while his 131 defensive runs saved trail only Yadier Molina. Martin hit 20 homers three times, posted an OBP above .350 five times, and won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger in 2007. He was also an excellent baserunner, especially early in his career when he tallied 21 steals as a primary catcher. Though he never earned a ring, winning followed Martin everywhere. He reached the playoffs 10 times in 14 seasons. The Blue Jays and Pirates ended two-decade playoff droughts immediately after signing him. Martin ranks sixth in both hits and RBIs among Canadian-born players and was elected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024.

The moment: Martin became a Pittsburgh legend with one swing in the 2013 NL wild-card game - the Pirates' first playoff contest in 20 years. Moments after Pirates fans rattled Johnny Cueto into dropping the baseball, Martin crushed a homer that made PNC Park shake and effectively end Cincinnati's season in the second inning.

Fun fact: Martin's four scoreless relief appearances in 2019 allowed him to make unique history. A perfect ninth on March 30, 2019, made Martin the first position player since 1963 to finish his team's win on the mound. A few months later, Martin became the first position player since George "High Pockets" Kelly in 1917 to pitch in a shutout win.

Brian McCann

Position: C
Years: 2005-19
Teams: Braves, Yankees, Astros
JAWS: 28.3 (35th at C)
WAR: 32.0 (35th)

McCann enjoyed a long career as a consistently solid catcher with plenty of pop. His 269 homers rank eighth all time at the position, and he's one of four backstops to win at least six Silver Sluggers. His 10 20-homer seasons are tied for second among catchers (minimum 70% of games at the position). McCann wasn't regarded as the strongest defender during his career, but his framing skills went unappreciated. He sits a hair behind Martin in framing runs. The Georgia native spent the bulk of his career at home with the Braves and also had some good offensive seasons with the Yankees after signing the then-largest contract ever given to a catcher. McCann won a World Series with the Astros in 2017.

The moment: For all of his accomplishments, many still remember McCann best for two famous scraps. In September 2013, he took exception to José Fernández admiring a home run, leading to the benches clearing. A few weeks later, McCann triggered a nasty brawl when he blocked Carlos Gómez from completing his trot. McCann eventually made up with both players and is now friends with Gómez.

Fun fact: McCann's stepbrother is his former teammate Mark Teixeira. Brian's mom, Sherry, married Mark's dad, John, in 2017. They met while their sons played together in New York.

Hanley Ramírez

Position: SS/3B/1B
Years: 2005-19
Teams: Red Sox, Marlins, Dodgers, Cleveland
JAWS: 36.6 (42nd at SS)
WAR: 38.0 (51st)

At his peak, Ramírez may have wielded the most dangerous bat in baseball. The three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger won NL Rookie of the Year in 2006 to start an exceptional nine-year run as the lone bright spot of some truly awful Marlins teams. Ramírez's power-speed combination helped him produce five 20-20 seasons and a 30-30 campaign in 2008. He also finished one homer shy of 30-50 in '07. Ramírez won a batting title in 2009 while stealing 30 bases four times and 50-plus twice over his career. However, he was a notoriously poor defensive player, especially at shortstop.

The moment: It wasn't all bad for Ramírez in Boston. On Sept. 15, 2016, he demolished a walk-off homer to give the Red Sox a stunning 7-5 comeback victory over the rival Yankees, kick-starting an 11-game win streak that clinched their AL East title.

Fun fact: Ramírez's parents originally named him Hamlet - a suggestion by his Shakespeare-loving grandmother - until a clerk mistakenly wrote Hanley on his birth certificate. The erroneous name stuck. "I don't really know why they didn't change it back," Ramírez said in Molly Knight's 2016 book "The Best Team Money Can Buy." "But that's OK because I love my name."

Fernando Rodney

Position: RP
Years: 2002-19
Teams: Tigers, Angels, Rays, Mariners, Cubs, Padres, Marlins, D-Backs, Twins, Athletics, Nationals
R-JAWS: 4.8 (326th at RP)
WAR: 7.4 (340th)

Grab a plátano and shoot an arrow to the sky in salute of Rodney. The three-time All-Star was a fan favorite at each of his 11 stops thanks to his infectious personality and excellent relief pitching. Rodney's 951 appearances rank 20th all time and fourth among pitchers with zero career starts. He tallied five 30-save seasons, saved 40-plus twice, and sits 19th on the all-time list. In 2012 with the Rays, Rodney finished fifth in Cy Young voting and even got some MVP support after posting a then-reliever record 0.60 ERA along with 48 saves. Rodney spent the latter half of his career bouncing around with varying degrees of success and contributed to the Nationals' 2019 World Series title in his final big-league season.

The moment: Rodney fired his bow and arrow for the 300th time after locking down a D-Backs win on Sept. 22, 2017, becoming the 28th pitcher to record 300 career saves.

Fun fact: Just because Rodney's on the ballot doesn't mean he's retired. The 47-year-old's continued his career since 2019, suiting up in independent ball, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and soon, Canada. In November, Rodney signed with the Hamilton Cardinals of the Intercounty Baseball League, a semi-professional circuit in southern Ontario.

Troy Tulowitzki

Position: SS
Years: 2006-19
Teams: Rockies, Blue Jays, Yankees
JAWS: 42.4 (28th at SS)
WAR: 44.5 (34th)

Drafted seventh overall in 2005, the unusually intense Tulowitzki paired perennial 30-homer power with dazzling defense to become his era's premier two-way shortstop. A five-time All-Star, he won two Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers, three Fielding Bible awards, posted three six-WAR seasons, and had five years with an OPS above .900. Tulowitzki's 94 defensive runs saved are second all time at shortstop (minimum 10,000 innings). He helped the Rockies to a surprising pennant as a rookie and a second playoff berth in 2009, when he finished fifth in NL MVP voting. After his shocking trade to Toronto at the 2015 trade deadline, Tulowitzki proved integral to the Blue Jays' consecutive ALCS appearances in '15 and '16.

Unfortunately, Tulowitzki couldn't stay healthy. He played 130 games in four of his 13 seasons because of various injuries and missed over 40% of his team's games from 2008-15 alone. The Blue Jays released Tulowitzki with $38 million left on his contract after he missed all of 2018 with bone spurs in his ankle. He made the Yankees' Opening Day roster in '19 but was back on the IL after five games. He retired a few months later.

The moment: Though his departure was messy, Tulowitzki became one of the best players in Rockies history during his decade in Colorado. He was front and center for the franchise's biggest moment, making a typically fantastic play to clinch the Rockies' first NL pennant in 2007.

Fun fact: Tulowitzki is one of only two players to have hit for the cycle and turned an unassisted triple play in the majors. The other is John Valentin.

Ben Zobrist

Position: 2B/RF/LF/SS
Years: 2006-19
Teams: Rays, Athletics, Royals, Cubs
JAWS: 42.1 (27th at 2B)
WAR: 44.5 (36th)

A virtual Swiss Army knife, Zobrist made at least one appearance at every position but catcher and has a legitimate claim as the best super-utility player ever. The switch-hitter was a three-time All-Star and hit 20 homers in three different seasons. Adept at reaching base, Zobrist had an OBP above .350 nine times in 14 seasons, finished in the top 10 in walks on six occasions, and never posted a walk rate below 10% in a full campaign. His best year came in 2009 when he led the AL in bWAR and fWAR and put up a .948 OPS with 27 homers. Zobrist was a key figure in the Rays' rise to relevancy, and his name is dotted across the franchise's record books. After the Rays dealt him away, Zobrist became a core piece of championship teams in Kansas City and Chicago.

The moment: It's the hit that Cubs fans will never forget. In the 10th inning of Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, Zobrist ripped an RBI double to score the go-ahead run. The Cubs held on to win 8-7 and end their 108-year title drought, with Zobrist taking home World Series MVP.

Fun fact: Zobrist is one of nine players to appear in and win a World Series in consecutive seasons with different teams. He won with the Royals in 2015 and the Cubs in 2016.