Baseball Hall of Fame players Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray, Tony Pérez, Lee Smith, and Ozzie Smith are among the 16 members of the classic era committee. This committee will assess an eight-man Hall ballot that includes Dick Allen, Dave Parker, and Luis Tiant. Retired manager Joe Torre, also a Hall of Famer, is part of this significant group. The committee convenes on Sunday at the winter meetings in Dallas and will be joined by various executives and media members/historians. The ballot also features Tommy John, Steve Garvey, Ken Boyer, along with former Negro Leaguers John Donaldson and Vic Harris. A vote of 75% or more is necessary for election, and those chosen will be inducted into the Hall of Fame next July 27 along with players voted in by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, whose balloting will be announced on Jan. 21.

The Best View in Cooperstown Comes with Dinner at the Otesaga

In Cooperstown, New York, the Otesaga stands as a stunning 115-year-old hotel, offering a view that is truly unparalleled. It's a place where one can immerse themselves in the rich history and charm of the baseball hall. Whether it's enjoying a delicious meal or simply taking in the surroundings, the Otesaga provides an experience like no other.

Baseball Legends and Their Achievements

Dick Allen hit an impressive.292 with 351 homers and 1,119 RBIs from 1963-77. A seven-time All-Star, he was honored with the 1964 NL Rookie of the Year and the 1972 AL MVP titles. Dave Parker, at 73 years old, hit.290 with 339 homers and 1,493 RBIs from 1973-91. He was the 1978 NL MVP, won the 1977 and ‘78 NL batting titles, and was a seven-time All-Star. Luis Tiant, who passed away on Oct. 8 at age 83, was a four-time 20-game winner, going 229-172 with a 3.30 ERA from 1964-82. He was a three-time All-Star and won two AL ERA titles. Tommy John, 81 years old, was 288-231 with a 3.34 ERA over 26 seasons from 1963-89. He became a pioneer in elbow ligament-replacement surgery in 1974, known as Tommy John surgery. Steve Garvey, 75 years old, hit.294 with 272 homers and 1,308 RBIs from 1969-87. He was the 1974 NL MVP and helped the Los Angeles Dodgers win the 1981 title. He also played an NL record 1,207 consecutive games at first base. Ken Boyer, an 11-time All-Star, batted.287 with 282 homers and 1,141 RBIs from 1955-69. He was the 1964 NL MVP for the St. Louis Cardinals’ World Series champions. John Donaldson pitched in the Negro Leagues and pre-Negro Leagues for over 30 years, leaving a significant mark. Vic Harris played 18 seasons in the Negro Leagues, mostly as a Homestead Grays outfielder, and managed the team for 11 seasons, winning seven Negro National League pennants and the 1948 World Series.

Hall of Fame Restructuring and Committees

In 2022, the Hall restructured its veterans committees for the third time in 12 years. This setup includes panels to consider the contemporary era from 1980 on as well as the classic era. Each committee meets every three years. The contemporary baseball era holds separate ballots for players and another for managers, executives, and umpires. In December 2022, Fred McGriff was elected by the contemporary players committee, and in December 2023, Jim Leyland was voted in by the contemporary managers, executives, and umpires committee. Contemporary players will be considered again in December 2025. The ballot was picked by a historical overview committee consisting of Adrian Burgos of the University of Illinois, Elliott of the Canadian Baseball Network, Hirdt of Stats Perform, David O’Brien of The Athletic, BBWAA secretary-treasurer Jack O’Connell, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, and Mark Whicker of the Southern California News Group along with Jim Henneman (formerly of The Sun in Baltimore), Jim Reeves (formerly of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram), and Glenn Schwarz (formerly San Francisco Chronicle).

Previous Voting Results and Eligible Players

Dick Allen received 11 votes from the 2014 golden era committee but fell one short of the 75% needed for election. John Donaldson got eight votes from the 2021 early baseball era committee, which considered pre-1950 candidates. Dave Parker got seven votes from the 2019 modern era committee, which considered candidates from 1970-87. Steve Garvey received six votes, and Tommy John got three or fewer. Garvey, John, Parker, and Luis Tiant all received fewer than seven votes from the 2016 modern era committee. Ken Boyer and Luis Tiant got fewer than three votes in 2014, and Garvey, John, and Parker got fewer than six from the 2013 expansion era committee. Boyer and Tiant received fewer than three votes from the 2011 golden era committee. Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Félix Hernández are among the 14 players eligible for the BBWAA ballot for the first time in the upcoming vote. Holdovers include Billy Wagner, who was five votes shy last January.