Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Don Mattingly, and Dale Murphy have advanced to the next round on the Hall of Fame’s contemporary baseball era committee ballot. They will be joined by former Toronto Blue Jays players Carlos Delgado and Jeff Kent, along with Gary Sheffield and the late Fernando Valenzuela in the upcoming meeting on December 7 in Orlando, Florida. A 75% vote is required for induction, with the announcement scheduled for July 26.
Albert Belle, Rafael Palmeiro, and Curt Schilling did not make the cut after the previous ballot in December 2022. Fred McGriff was the sole inductee with 16 votes back then. The committee was restructured in 2022 to focus on the contemporary era from 1980 onwards, with separate considerations for players and other baseball figures like managers and executives.
In the upcoming years, the committees will meet on a rotational basis to assess different categories. Pete Rose will have his first chance to be included in the Hall of Fame ballot in December 2027 following a decision by Commissioner Rob Manfred regarding his eligibility. The Hall has also implemented a rule where candidates receiving fewer than five votes will be excluded from future ballots.
Bonds, Clemens, and Sheffield fell short in previous BBWAA votes. Bonds, a seven-time MVP and all-star outfielder, holds multiple records, including the career home run record. Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner, boasts an impressive pitching record. Sheffield, a nine-time all-star, was known for his versatility on the field.
Mattingly, Murphy, Delgado, Kent, and Valenzuela have also made significant contributions to the sport during their careers. The Hall of Fame’s decision-making process is guided by a historical overview committee comprised of various baseball experts.