It now appears it's a question of when, not if, Carlos Beltrán will be voted into the Hall of Fame. In fact, next year could be his time, with the ballot wide open. Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner were elected in voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America announced Tuesday night.

For the first time, I have an official Hall of Fame ballot in my hands. As I write this, I'm about to mail it. I have done a virtual truckload of homework in anticipation of this and it all started when I was a little kid.

Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner — were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday. Another deserving candidate, outfielder Carlos Beltran, came agonizingly close to being the fourth.

The trio of stars, each of whom spent part of their career in New York, will be inducted in Cooperstown on July 27.

Wagner was elected in his 10th and final year on the ballot with 82.5% of the vote. Chase Utley climbed to 39.8% in his second year.