Hall of Fame ballot: Holdovers

SI Staff | Jan 8, 2009

Hall of Fame ballot: Holdovers /

Hall of Fame ballot: Holdovers

Harold Baines

Known primarily as a designated hitter throughout his 22-year career, Baines batted .300 eight times, hit 384 homers and ranked 7th in AL history in games played (2,830) and 10th in runs batted in (1,628) upon his retirement.

Bert Blyleven

The only eligible member of the 3,000 strikeout club not in the Hall of Fame, Blyleven has received as much as 61.9 percent of the vote (in 2008). Known for his curveball, the two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion retired with a 287-250 record, a 3.31 ERA and 3,701 strikeouts (fifth all-time).

Andre Dawson

"The Hawk" exploded onto the scene in 1977, blending speed and power to earn the NL Rookie of the Year award. Bad knees and all, Dawson played 24 seasons, winning eight Gold Gloves, four Silver Sluggers and an MVP award (while playing for a last place Cubs team). Dawson is one of only three members of the 400 HR-300 SB club, joining Barry Bonds and Willie Mays.

Tommy John

Known best for the surgery that bears his name, Tommy John is the seventh-winningest lefty in baseball history with 288 victories. A four-time All-Star, John pitched 26 seasons in the big leagues and retired with a career ERA of 3.34.

Don Mattingly

The face of the Yankees during the lean 1980s, "Donnie Baseball" was selected to six All-Star games, won nine Gold Gloves and the 1985 AL MVP. Mattingly finished his career with 2,153 hits, 222 home runs, 1,099 RBIs and a .307 lifetime average, but never played in a World Series.

Mark McGwire

Dogged by allegations of steroid use since his retirement, McGwire was one of the most prolific home run hitters of all-time, averaging a home run every 10.61 at bats. McGwire holds the record for most homers by a rookie (49), and broke Roger Maris' single-season record with 70 homers in 1998.

Jack Morris

A five-time All-Star during his 18 seasons, Morris excelled in the postseason, winning four World Series and a World Series MVP in 1991. The split-finger specialist won 254 games in his career, and his 10-inning shutout in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series is one of the best performances of all time.

Dale Murphy

The power-hitting outfielder made a career out of being the best player on some bad Atlanta Braves teams. Murphy won five Gold Gloves, two NL MVP awards ('82 and '83), and was selected for seven All-Star teams. Although he retired two home runs shy of 400, Murphy led the majors in home runs and RBIs in the '80s.

Dave Parker

A two-time batting champion and the 1978 NL MVP, Parker won three Gold Gloves and made seven All-Star teams. He retired with 339 home runs and 1,493 RBIs.

Tim Raines

One of the most prolific base-stealers of all time, Raines stole at least 70 bases in each of his first six full seasons, including a career-best 90 in 1983. Raines' 808 steals rank fourth all-time, and his 2,605 career hits put him sixth in history among switch hitters.

Jim Rice

Rice fell just short of election in 2008, appearing on 72.2 percent of the ballots (the requirement is 75 percent). One of the top power hitters of his time, Rice led the AL in home runs three times, in RBIs twice, and had eight 100-RBI seasons. In addition to winning the AL MVP in 1978, he finished in the top five in voting five other times.

Lee Smith

One of the most dominant and intimidating closers in history, Smith held the all-time saves record for 13 years, retiring with 478 for his career. A seven-time All-Star and three-time Rolaids Relief Man winner, Smith pitched in 1,022 games -- third most in history when he retired.

Alan Trammell

A six-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, Trammell played his entire career in Detroit and won a World Series MVP award in 1984. Trammell batted .285 for his career, drove in 1,003 runs and hit 185 home runs.

Published Jan 8, 2009

SI STAFF