Carlos Beltran, Jeff Kent and Andy Pettitte among Joe McDonald's 10 Hall of Fame picks

I’ve been asked numerous times about my process when it comes to voting for the Hall of Fame.

It’s simple, really, because all I do is close my eyes and check off 10 boxes on my ballot. Most fans would believe that story, but I take this very seriously and consider this one of the greatest honors of my career.

I tell fans, readers and friends I enjoy a well thought out, opinionated discussion about which players are Hall of Fame worthy. I won’t waste my time with anyone who wants to argue.

MORE: Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez deemed worthy of Hall of Fame picks by Bill Ballou

Let’s start with this: Do I vote for steroid-era players? Yes.

In the past, I have voted for Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa. The Hall of Fame is a museum that celebrates the game of baseball, and these types of players packed ballparks and led headlines every day during their respective careers.

Case in point: 1998 was a magical summer. Mark McGwire and Sosa engaged in a summer-long battle to break Roger Maris’ single-season home run record of 61. Baseball fan, or not, everyone paid attention to that chase. Those two saved baseball with their home-run heroics. For that alone, both deserve a spot in Cooperstown, but there are no plaques there with their names.

Voters are allowed to vote for zero to 10 candidates, and I prefer to use all of my check marks.

This year, I voted for Carlos Beltran, Todd Helton, Andruw Jones, Jeff Kent, Andy Pettitte, Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Scott Rolen, Gary Sheffield and Billy Wagner. I added Beltran, Sheffield, Jones and Kent this year.

In my conversations with fans, Kent is probably the biggest talking point among the candidates. This is his 10th and final year on the ballot. He’s considered one of the best second baseman of his generation. He played 17 seasons, with the Blue Jays, Mets, Indians, Giants, Astros and Dodgers. His 351 home runs are the most by a second baseman. He won the Silver Slugger Award four times and was named the 2000 National League MVP. Kent hit .300 or better three times, drove in 100 or more runs eight times, hit 20 or more home runs in 12 seasons and reached the 30-home run mark three times.

Kent’s postseason numbers are decent, too. He played in 49 playoff games, hitting .276 with 9 home runs, 25 runs scored and 23 RBIs. This is my first time voting for him simply because my ballot has been full in the past with players I believed deserved induction.

The other player I get asked about all the time is Andy Pettitte.

This is his fifth year on the ballot, and I’ve voted for him in the past. The left-handed starter pitched 18 seasons, for the Yankees and Astros. He helped the Yankees win five World Series championships. He reached the 20-win mark twice and recorded eight seasons with 15 or more wins. He also reached the 200-inning mark in 10 seasons.

He’s also considered one of the best postseason pitchers, posting a 19-11 record, a 3.81 ERA in 44 starts. He holds the all-time postseason records for wins, innings pitched (276-2/3) and starts.

Now we come to Ramirez. Well, Manny is Manny. I consider him the best right-handed hitter of his generation. He hit .300 or better in 11 seasons, including American League-best .349 in 2002. He reached the 100-RBI mark 12 times, including another league-best 165 in 1999. He hit 30 or more home runs 12 times and reached the 40-homer plateau five times.

Ramirez was also one of the most feared hitters in the postseason.

He posted a .285 average with 29 home runs and 78 RBIs in 111 postseason games. He ranks No. 1 all time in postseason home runs and walks (72). Ramirez was named the 2004 World Series MVP with the Red Sox.

I’m confident with my HOF selections, and I’m also honored to share this process with colleague, the legendary Bill Ballou. He’s a Hall of Famer in my book.

—Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Joe McDonald's loaded Hall of Fame ballot has 10 deserving choices