Breaking Down the Baseball Hall of Fame’s Classic Baseball Era Ballot

Author: Jon Alba
Ken Boyer, Vic Harris, and Luis Tiant.

The Baseball Hall of Fame will be opening its doors to its next class this winter, and we now have a glimpse of who could be among the first inductees.

The Hall announced the nominees for the Classic Baseball Era ballot for this coming year’s class, comprised of eight individuals whose primary contributions to the sport came prior to 1980. They are:

  • OF Dick Allen
  • 3B Ken Boyer
  • P John Donaldson
  • OF Steve Garvey
  • OF Vic Harris
  • P Tommy John
  • RF Dave Parker
  • P Luis Tiant

Unlike the Baseball Writers Association of America vote that primarily determines who gets inducted, the eras committee ballots are intended for individuals who missed induction while on the writers’ ballots or were not previously eligible. A person needs 75 percent of the vote from a 16-person committee in order to be inducted. The results of the vote will be announced Dec. 8.

While there is no guarantee of a name reaching the 75 percent threshold, this year’s ballot contains several players who have legitimate Hall of Fame pedigree. Allen was a seven-time All-Star who also captured a Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Award during his 15-year career. He registered a 45.9 seven-year peak WAR (Wins Above Replacement) during his playing days, slightly above the average Hall of Famer at his position. Allen stands the best chance of induction of any candidate, as he came one vote shy in 2015 and 2022.

Parker’s resume also stacks up well for potential induction. The 1978 National League MVP made seven All-Star appearances, won the batting title twice, and won two World Series over the course of his career. He never received more than 24.5 percent of the vote while on the BBWAA ballot, but shares similar offensive comparisons to several Hall of Famers like Harold Baines and Andre Dawson.

Boyer, meanwhile, was on a Hall of Fame trajectory prior to the second half of his career suffering from somewhat of a downturn in productivity. He was a former NL MVP who won five Gold Glove Awards and, like Allen, compiled a seven-year peak WAR greater than the average Hall of Famer at his position. He has been on committee ballots six times, but has yet to receive induction.

One of the most synonymous names with modern baseball is Tommy John, who underwent a groundbreaking procedure that revolutionized care for elbow injuries. John was a stellar pitcher in his own right, compiling 288 wins over 26 seasons in Major League Baseball. He won 20 or more games three times, and compares favorably to other Hall of Famers such as Jim Kaat and Bert Blyleven.

Joining John is Tiant, who died in October. Tiant won 20 or more games four times during his career, and was a shutdown arm who has fallen short of inductions six times on the committee ballots.

Garvey is actively running for the United States Senate, but he’ll look for election in Cooperstown as well. The 75-year-old was a former NL MVP who holds the National League record for most consecutive games played at first base with 1,207. He won the 1981 World Series, and peaked at 42.6 percent of the writers’ ballot vote in 1995.

John Donaldson played professional baseball for more than 30 years, including in the pre-Negro League era. He was a dominant outfielder and pitcher, and would transition into managing and business operations to help expand recognition for Black players and teams.

Vic Harris is the final nominee on the ballot. He spent 18 years in the Negro Leagues, and was a star outfielder for the Homestead Grays. He was a career .303 hitter, and won seven Negro National League titles. Harris would also manage after his playing days came to a close, and is considered one of the greatest of his era in that arena.

Last year’s Contemporary Baseball Committee elected manager Jim Leyland to the Hall of Fame, and Fred McGriff the year prior.

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