O/T 2026 HOF Contemporary Ballot

[Knightlax5]

Hey the HOF just release the 2026 contemporary ballot which will be picked at the winter meetings. If my memory is correct, a max of 3 guys can get in if voting works out perfectly.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...ary-era-ballot

The ballot is:
Barry Bonds
Roger Clemens
Don Mattingly
Dale Murphy
Carlos Delgado
Jeff Kent
Fernando Valenzuela

Who do you think gets in from the 2026 Contemporary Era’s Committee? As much as i’d like to see Bonds and Clemens get in, I think Don Mattingly is the only one who gets in this year out of those 8.

[KJA]

I think Mattingly potentially gets in and maybe Carlos Delgado but I doubt it. Was hoping to see Kenny Lofton on the ballot.

[mainemule]

Do we know who is on the selection committee? This can certainly impact who is selected- think Baines selection.

To me, Valenzuela is the least HOF-like, despite Fernandomania.

Bonds and Clemens no doubters if peds are overlooked. Probably Sheffield too (who is inadvertently omitted on OP's post).

None of the others "scream" HOF to me but all have worthiness about them.

Disappointed Dewey Evans not on the list.

[Smanzari]

Where's Sweet Lou? Still ridiculous to me Tram is in but he's still not.

Looking at the list, I don't think any get voted in this year

[savedfrommyspokes]

Originally Posted by Smanzari

Where's Sweet Lou? Still ridiculous to me Tram is in but he's still not.

Looking at the list, I don't think any get voted in this year

My very first question when I saw this list is "Where's Sweet Lou?"!!


On my end, Lou, Mattingly and Murphy are already sorted into the HOF binders in my collection...even if none of the three ever get there.

[Knightlax5]

Originally Posted by savedfrommyspokes

My very first question when I saw this list is "Where's Sweet Lou?"!!


On my end, Lou, Mattingly and Murphy are already sorted into the HOF binders in my collection...even if none of the three ever get there.

I won’t argue Whitaker isn’t a HOF’er. My question is where is Keith Hernandez? The best defensive player at every other position is in, so why not Keith? i think with Gil Hodges and Buck O’Neill in, Keith will get in eventually. The playing career and broadcasting career in total is a HOF career. He is also getting hurt by the fact the 1980 date was used as the cut off date for contemporary and classic eras. Its directly in the middle of his playing career

[theshowandme]

Originally Posted by mainemule

Do we know who is on the selection committee? This can certainly impact who is selected- think Baines selection.

Not yet, that will be announced soon though.

For the 2024 committew that elected Dick Allen and Dave Parker, the members were Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray, Tony Pérez, Lee Smith, Ozzie Smith and Joe Torre; major league executives Sandy Alderson, Terry McGuirk, Dayton Moore, Arte Moreno and Brian Sabean; and veteran media members/historians Bob Elliott, Leslie Heaphy, Steve Hirdt, Dick Kaegel and Larry Lester. Hall of Fame Chairman of the Board Jane Forbes Clark served as the non-voting chairman of the Classic Baseball Era Committee.

[Eric72]

Given the other names on the list, Don Mattingly seems likely to make it into the Hall of Fame.

Based purely on stats, Bonds and Clemens would be locks. The voters will almost certainly take other things (PEDs, personality, etc.) into consideration, though.

[rats60]

I think Mattingly and Murphy get in. Those guys are both Hofers. If they elect two, that will open up slots for more deserving guys like Lofton. Them when the vote down the dopers again, it will open more slots.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I find these committees very confusing. I thought the last time Bonds and Clemens got nixed by a Frank Thomas led committee they wouldn't be eligible again for many years. I thought Murphy would not be eligible again so soon as well.

I think only Mattingly has a shot, Murphy just hasn't moved anyone in so many tries, although I wouldn't bet on Mattingly either for the same reason.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Mattingly and Murphy are the media darlings. Not my choices but I think they stand the best chance.