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Boasting a total of 25 All-Star selections and eight MVP titles between them, slugger Barry Bonds and starting pitcher Roger Clemens are two of the most legendary figures in baseball.
Despite enjoying tremendously successful careers, however, both superstars failed to make it to Cooperstown, as ties to PED-related controversy prevented them from being voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame during their ten years of eligibility.
Naturally, this continues to be quite a controversial topic amongst fans and experts alike.
On Sunday, former big leaguer John Rocker stated his opinion on the matter. Posting to X, Rocker claimed Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens "belonged" in the Hall of Fame.
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"Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens belong in the Hall of Fame. Arguably the best hitter and pitcher of all time, respectively. The idea that they are not getting the votes is a stain on baseball history," Rocker posted.
Spending six years in the big leagues, John Rocker has also dealt with his fair share of controversy. Having been investigated for steroid use in March 2007, Rocker went on to admit to the allegations nine months later. A number of controversial comments in interviews over the years also did his public persona no favors.
Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens miss latest chance to make it to the Hall of Fame
Having already failed to make it to the Hall of Fame during their ten years of BBWAA ballot eligibilty, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens had another route to make it to Cooperstown, via the contemporary era committee.
The committee, which included Hall of Fame players Ferguson Jenkins, Jim Kaat, Juan Marichal, Tony Pérez, Ozzie Smith, Alan Trammell, Robin Yount, owners Mark Attanasio of the Milwaukee Brewers and Arte Moreno of the Los Angeles Angels, major league general managers Kim Ng, Doug Melvin, Tony Reagins, Terry Ryan, media members Tyler Kepner and Jayson Stark, and historian Steve Hirdt, met on Sunday at the Winter Meetings in Orlando.
Had they recieved at least 75% of the vote from the committee, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens would have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 26, alongisde the players voted in by the BBWAA.
Unfortunately for the pair, this opportunity, too, passed them by, as they both finished with less than five votes each.
