Sosa, Ramírez, 2 more former Cubs on 2021 HOF ballot

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The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum released the 2021 ballot on Monday, which features four former Cubs — including right fielder Sammy Sosa, entering his penultimate season of eligibility.

Joining Sosa on the ballot for the first time are third baseman Aramis Ramírez, starting pitcher Dan Haren and reliever LaTroy Hawkins.

This is Sosa's ninth year out of a possible ten on the ballot. He received just 13.9 percent of the vote in 2020, up from 8.5 in 2019. Candidates need at least 75 percent of votes, conducted by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, to be elected.

Results will be announced on Jan. 26 on MLB Network.

Sosa has a Hall-of-Fame-worthy resumé, making seven All-Star teams in 18 seasons while winning an MVP award (1998) and hitting 609 home runs — ninth all-time. However, he's languished on the ballot due to his alleged connection to steroids.

RELATED: Wittenmyer: Why Sammy Sosa will never get my Baseball Hall of Fame vote

Ramírez was one of the best offensive third basemen of his generation, hitting 386 home runs in 18 seasons (nine with the Cubs) to go along with a career .283/.341/.492 slash line. He received down-ballot MVP votes five times and made three All-Star teams.

Ramírez was recently elected to the Dominican Sports Hall of Fame.

Haren's time on the North Side was brief, coming over in a trade with the Marlins at the 2015 trade deadline. He made 11 starts with the Cubs (4-2, 4.01 ERA) and pitched 13 seasons total with Miami, the Cardinals, A's, Diamondbacks, Angels, Nationals and Dodgers.

Haren made three All-Star teams, finishing as high as fifth in Cy Young Award voting (2009 with Arizona). He holds a career 3.75 ERA.

Hawkins pitched 21 seasons in the big leagues, including a short stint with the Cubs from 2004-05. He sported a 2.76 ERA and 1.099 WHIP in Chicago but blew 13 saves in 42 tries. The Cubs traded him to the Giants midseason in 2005.

For his career, Hawkins posted a 4.31 ERA and 1.406 WHIP, converting 66.8 percent of his saves (127-for-190). In addition to the Cubs and Giants, he pitched for the Twins, Orioles, Rockies, Yankees, Astros, Brewers, Angels, Mets and Blue Jays.

The full list of candidates can be found here.

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