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While Ichiro Suzuki is a virtual lock and CC Sabathia an overwhelming favorite to earn enshrinement in the Baseball Hall of Fame next July, it remains to be seen if they’ll have company in the Class of 2025.
The first major step in that process arrives Sunday, when the Hall’s Classic Era Baseball Committee will vote on a group of eight potential inductees.
Candidates must receive support from 12 of 16 committee members to earn induction to Cooperstown. The committee is comprised of a half-dozen Hall of Fame players and managers – Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray, Tony Pérez, Lee Smith, Ozzie Smith and Joe Torre – along with five baseball executives and five historians/media members.
Among the seven players nominated, first baseman Steve Garvey earned the highest vote total during the 15 years players were eligible for the Hall of Fame via the writers’ ballot – earning 42.6% in 1995. Garvey, pitcher Tommy John and slugger Dave Parker are the only candidates among the living. Like the writers’ vote, the eras candidates must be named by at least 75% of electors.
Results of the election will be announced live on MLB Network at 7:30 ET Sunday from Dallas, where the winter meetings begin Monday.
A closer look at the eight candidates:
Dick Allen
Career: 1963-1977 with Phillies, White Sox, Dodgers, Cardinals and Oakland Athletics. Corner infielder, left fielder.
Key statistics: 351 career home runs, 1,848 hits, .912 OPS, 156 OPS
Notable accomplishments: 1964 Rookie of the Year, 1972 AL MVP, seven-time All-Star, two-time AL home run champ (1972, 1974), led majors in runs (125, 1964), OBP (.420, 1972), slugging (.563, 1974).
Top finish on BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot: 18.9%, 1996
Outlook: A feared hitter whose metrics would be greatly appreciated today, Allen is under consideration by a veteran’s committee for the seventh time.
Ken Boyer
Career: 1955-1969 with Cardinals, Mets, White Sox, Dodgers. Third baseman/center fielder.
Key statistics: 282 home runs, 2,143 hits, 62.8 WAR
Notable accomplishments: 1964 NL MVP, seven-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glover, 1964 World Series champion.
Top finish on BBWAA ballot: 25.5%, 1988.
Outlook: Boyer was shut out of voting in his last three appearances (2012, 2015, 2022) on a veteran’s committee ballot.
John Donaldson
Career: 1920-1924 with Negro League’s Kansas City Monarchs. 1916-1919 with unclassified Kansas City, Indianapolis, Brooklyn and Detroit Black baseball teams, and more than 30 years overall playing and managing experience.
Key statistics: Career .296 hitter in Negro Leagues.
Notable accomplishments: Helped establish barnstorming business model that galvanized the Negro Leagues – and major leaguers – for decades.
Outlook: Donaldson received 50% support in 2022 committee voting.
Steve Garvey
Career: 1969-1987 with Dodgers, Padres. First baseman.
Key statistics: 272 home runs, 2,599 hits, 1,308 RBI, .329 OBP, .775 OPS
Notable accomplishments: 1974 NL MVP, 10-time All-Star, five 100-RBI seasons, six 200-hit seasons, 1981 World Series champion, four-time NL pennant winner.
Top finish on BBWAA ballot: 42.6%, 1995.
Outlook: This is Garvey’s fifth appearance before a veterans’ committee, the first three resulting in no votes.
Vic Harris
Career: 1922, 1924, 1932-1945 in Negro Leagues. Outfielder. Manager, 1932-1936, 1945-1948.
Key statistics: Career .303 batting average, .370 OBP. 547-278 record as manager.
Notable accomplishments: Six-time All-Star as a player; managed Homestead Grays to 1943 title, a season in which he appeared in seven games. Won six other pennants as manager.
Outlook: Received 10 of 16 votes in 2022 veterans’ committee evaluation, two shy of induction.
Tommy John
Career: 1963-1989 with Cleveland, White Sox, Dodgers, Yankees, Angels, Athletics, Yankees.
Key statistics: 288-231 record, 3.34 ERA, 162 complete games, 46 shutouts, 111 adjusted ERA, 61.6 WAR.
Notable accomplishments: Four-time All-Star. Three-time 20-game winner. Ranks 26th all-time in shutouts and wins and 20th in innings pitched. Career revived after undergoing radical elbow ligament replacement surgery that now bears his name.
Top finish on BBWAA ballot: 31.7%, 2009.
Outlook: Has yet to receive a vote in four appearances before veterans’ committees, although post-surgical accomplishments only grow more significant as prevalence of elbow surgery rises.
Dave Parker
Career: 1973-1991 with Pirates, Reds, Athletics, Brewers, Angels and Blue Jays. Played right field and DH.
Key statistics: 339 home runs, 2,712 hits, 1,493 RBI, .810 OPS, 121 adjusted OPS.
Notable accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, two-time batting champion, three-time Gold Glover, three-time Silver Slugger, two-time World Series champion (1979, 1989).
Top finish on BBWAA ballot: 24.5%, 1998.
Outlook: Fourth appearance before veterans’ committee, receiving seven of 16 votes in last appearance, in 2020.
Luis Tiant
Career: 1964-1982 with Cleveland, Twins, Red Sox, Yankees, Pirates, Angels.
Key statistics: 229 wins, 3.30 ERA, 114 adjusted ERA, 187 complete games, 66.1 WAR.
Notable accomplishments: Three-time All-Star, two-time ERA champion, four-time 20-game winner.
Top finish on BBWAA ballot: 30.9%, 1989.
Outlook: Tiant has yet to receive a vote in three previous appearances before veterans’ committees.
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