While Ichiro Suzuki seems almost guaranteed and CC Sabathia stands as a prominent contender for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame next July, whether they will be joined by others in the Class of 2025 remains uncertain. The initial significant move in that direction will occur on Sunday when the Hall’s Classic Era Baseball […]
While Ichiro Suzuki seems almost guaranteed and CC Sabathia stands as a prominent contender for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame next July, whether they will be joined by others in the Class of 2025 remains uncertain.
The initial significant move in that direction will occur on Sunday when the Hall’s Classic Era Baseball Committee casts its votes for a set of eight prospective inductees.
To qualify for induction into Cooperstown, candidates need to attain a backing from 12 out of 16 committee members. This body includes six Hall of Fame players and managers – Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray, Tony Pérez, Lee Smith, Ozzie Smith, and Joe Torre – alongside five baseball executives and five historians/media representatives.
Among the seven players put forward, first baseman Steve Garvey saw the highest tally during the 15 years players were eligible for the Hall of Fame through the writers’ ballot, achieving 42.6% in 1995. Garvey, pitcher Tommy John, and slugger Dave Parker are the sole candidates still living. Similar to the writers’ voting, the eras candidates must gain endorsement from a minimum of 75% of voters.
The election results will be unveiled live on MLB Network at 7:30 ET on Sunday from Dallas, where the winter meetings kick off on Monday.
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A detailed examination of the eight candidates:
Dick Allen
Career: 1963-1977 with the Phillies, White Sox, Dodgers, Cardinals, and Oakland Athletics. Played as a corner infielder and left fielder.
Key statistics: 351 career home runs, 1,848 hits, .912 OPS, 156 OPS+
Notable achievements: 1964 Rookie of the Year, 1972 AL MVP, seven-time All-Star, two-time AL home run leader (1972, 1974), led the majors in runs (125, 1964), OBP (.420, 1972), slugging percentage (.563, 1974).
Top finish on BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot: 18.9%, 1996Outlook: A formidable hitter whose metrics would be highly valued today, Allen is being reviewed by a veteran’s committee for the seventh time.Ken BoyerCareer: 1955-1969 with Cardinals, Mets, White Sox, Dodgers. Third baseman/center fielder.Key statistics: 282 home runs, 2,143 hits, 62.8 WARNotable accomplishments: 1964 NL MVP, seven-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove winner, 1964 World Series champion.Top finish on BBWAA ballot: 25.5%, 1988.Outlook: Boyer was excluded from voting in his last three presentations (2012, 2015, 2022) on a veteran’s committee ballot.John DonaldsonCareer: 1920-1924 with the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues. 1916-1919 with the unclassified Kansas City, Indianapolis, Brooklyn, and Detroit Black baseball teams, totaling over 30 years of playing and managing experience.Key statistics: .296 career batting average in the Negro Leagues.Notable achievements: Played a crucial role in forming a barnstorming business model that energized the Negro Leagues and influenced major leaguers for decades.Outlook: Donaldson garnered 50% support in the 2022 committee vote.Steve GarveyCareer: 1969-1987 with Dodgers, Padres. First baseman.Key statistics: 272 home runs, 2,599 hits, 1,308 RBI, .329 OBP, .775 OPSNotable achievements: 1974 NL MVP, 10-time All-Star, five seasons with 100 RBIs, six seasons with 200 hits, 1981 World Series champion, and four-time NL pennant winner.Top finish on BBWAA ballot: 42.6%, 1995.Outlook: This marks Garvey’s fifth time appearing before a veterans’ committee, with the first three yielding no votes.Vic HarrisCareer: 1922, 1924, 1932-1945 in the Negro Leagues. Outfielder. Managed between 1932-1936, 1945-1948.Key statistics: .303 career batting average, .370 OBP. Managed to a 547-278 record.Notable achievements: Six-time All-Star as a player; managed the Homestead Grays to the 1943 title season, appearing in seven games that year. Captured six additional pennants as a manager.Outlook: Achieved 10 votes out of 16 in the 2022 veterans’ committee evaluation, just two votes short of induction.Tommy JohnCareer: 1963-1989 with Cleveland, White Sox, Dodgers, Yankees, Angels, Athletics, and Yankees.Key statistics: 288-231 record, 3.34 ERA, 162 complete games, 46 shutouts, 111 adjusted ERA, 61.6 WAR.Notable achievements: Four-time All-Star. Achieved three 20-win seasons. Ranks 26th all-time for shutouts and wins, and 20th for innings pitched. His career was revitalized post a groundbreaking elbow ligament replacement surgery that now bears his name.Top finish on BBWAA ballot: 31.7%, 2009.Outlook: Has not received a vote in four outings before veterans’ committees, despite his post-surgical accomplishments becoming increasingly significant with the rise of elbow surgeries.Dave ParkerCareer: 1973-1991 with Pirates, Reds, Athletics, Brewers, Angels, and Blue Jays. Played as a right fielder and DH.Key statistics: 339 home runs, 2,712 hits, 1,493 RBI, .810 OPS, 121 adjusted OPS.Notable achievements: Seven-time All-Star, two-time batting title winner, three-time Gold Glove recipient, three-time Silver Slugger, and two-time World Series champion (1979, 1989).Top finish on BBWAA ballot: 24.5%, 1998.Outlook: This is Parker’s fourth appearance before the veterans’ committee, with seven of 16 votes received in his last appearance, in 2020.Luis TiantCareer: 1964-1982 with Cleveland, Twins, Red Sox, Yankees, Pirates, and Angels.Key statistics: 229 wins, 3.30 ERA, 114 adjusted ERA, 187 complete games, 66.1 WAR.Notable achievements: Three-time All-Star, two-time ERA leader, and four-time 20-game winner.Top finish on BBWAA ballot: 30.9%, 1989.Outlook: Tiant has not been voted for in three prior applications before veterans’ committees.
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