On January 25th, Red Sox superstar David Ortiz became the first inductee in two years to make it into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the BBWAA. Ortiz joined the greats on his first ballot, while legends like Roger Clemens, Curt Schilling, and Barry Bonds did not make the cut in their final eligible year.

Ortiz is not the only one being formally inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown this July. The Era Committee, run by a small number of managers and executives, selected past stars that are no longer on the ballot, but deserve a spot in the Hall of Fame. Players from the early 20th century will be honored in July alongside powerhouse David “Big Papi” Ortiz.

“It is something that is very special,” Ortiz shared. “My family who supported me on everything and the fans…they got my back.”

The Era Committee gives a glimmer of hope for Clemens, Schilling, and Bonds. Barry Bonds retired in 2007 with 7 MVPs under his belt, the most in MLB history. But controversies with performance-enhancing supplements throughout his career drove away BBWAA voters. He remains positive, and his figure looks bright.

“Congratulations Big Papi on your induction into the Hall of Fame!” Bonds said. “Well deserved…I love you my brother.”

Steroid use in the MLB was at an all-time high during the early 2000’s. Legends from this era are now retired and being considered for Hall of Fame induction. However, a majority of them were caught using some form of supplement. Where should the line be drawn?

“We are telling the story of the steroid era just the way we tell the story of any era in baseball, and we tell the story in its simple truth,” Hall of Fame chairman Jane Forbes Clark said.

Ortiz had a slight supplement controversy in 2003, when he tested positive for an unknown performance-enhancing drug. His circumstances were not as severe as Bonds, Clemens, and Sammy Sosa, though. Voters looked past his PED situation, but it is difficult to when dealing with players whose athletic abilities were directly affected by doping.

“Not having them join me at this time is something that is hard for me to believe to be honest with you,” Ortiz said about Clemens and Bonds. “Those guys did it all.”

With a familiarly positive attitude, Ortiz rides his wave of triumph as he encourages his colleagues around him. Not only did he dominate on the field, but he is a natural-born leader. He has found great success as a FOX Sports analyst, writer, podcast host, charity fund organizer, businessman, and father. No wonder why he made history so quickly.