Is Gary Sheffield more Hall of Fame worthy than Alex Rodriguez, despite the fact that both are inextricably linked to performing enhancing drugs?

Sheff is “crushing” A-Rod in balloting, leaving Jon Heyman to ponder how one cheat — with lesser numbers — is outpacing an all-time, albeit tainted, great. (Never mind the fact that Rodriguez is one of the least likable figures in the sport.)

But this is nothing new for baseball writers, who since the 1990s, have had to navigate which stars get a pass — and which pay the price — when it comes to Cooperstown induction.

Let’s take a look at who got in, and who was left languishing by the BBWAA.