Baseball Hall of Fame season kicks into gear this weekend with the announcement of voting results from the Hall’s Contemporary Era Committee. Convening at this year’s annual winter meetings in Orlando, the 16-member group comprised of former players, baseball executives and media members will consider eight potential inductees whose greatest contributions to the sport came after 1980.
Holdovers Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy from the last contemporary era ballot in 2022 will be joined by Carlos Delgado, Jeff Kent, Gary Sheffield and Fernando Valenzuela.
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Candidates must receive support from 12 of 16 committee members to earn induction to Cooperstown. Voting results will be announced Sunday night, Dec. 7, on MLB Network.
Barry Larkin: Former Cincinnati Reds shortstop, MLB Hall-of-Famer
Dave Parker: Former Cincinnati Reds OF, new Hall-of-Famer
Scott Rolen: Former Reds 3B elected to Hall of Fame
The 2026 Hall of Fame ceremony will be held July 26, 2026. Anyone chosen by the Contemporary Era Committee will go in alongside players voted in by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, whose balloting will be announced on Jan. 20.
A closer look at the eight candidates:
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Barry Bonds
Career: Left fielder from 1986-2007 with Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants.
Key statistics: 762 home runs, 2,935 hits, 1,996 RBI, 1.051 OPS, 182 adjusted OPS, 162.8 WAR.
Notable accomplishments: MLB’s career home run leader and single-season home run record holder (73 in 2001). All-time leader in walks (2,558) and second in runs scored (2,227). 14-time All-Star and seven-time National League MVP.
Top finish on BBWAA ballot: 66.0% in 2022.
Outlook: Second appearance on Contemporary Baseball Era Committee ballot. Received fewer than four votes in 2022. Connection to performance-enhancing drug use severely hampers his candidacy.
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Roger Clemens
Career: Pitcher from 1984-2007 with the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Houston Astros.
Key statistics: 354-184 career record, 3.12 ERA, 4,672 strikeouts, 139.2 WAR.
Notable accomplishments: Seven-time Cy Young award winner, 1986 AL MVP, 11-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion. Third on the all-time strikeout list with 4,672.
Top finish on BBWAA ballot: 65.2% in 2022.
Outlook: Second appearance on Contemporary Baseball Era Committee ballot. Received fewer than four votes in 2022. Connection to performance-enhancing drug use severely hampers his candidacy.
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Carlos Delgado
Career: First baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Marlins and New York Mets from 1993-2009.
Key statistics: 473 home runs, 2,038 hits, 1,512 RBI, .929 OPS, 138 adjusted OPS, 44.4 WAR.
Notable accomplishments: Two-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger award winner.
Top finish on BBWAA ballot: 3.8% in 2015.
Outlook: First appearance on Contemporary Baseball Era Committee ballot. Lack of support in only appearance on BBWAA ballot makes his election doubtful.
Jeff Kent
Career: Second baseman, first baseman, third baseman for Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1992-2008.
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Key statistics: 377 home runs, 2,461 hits, 1,518 RBI, .855 OPS, 123 adjusted OPS, 55.4 WAR.
Notable accomplishments: Five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger award winner, 2000 NL MVP. Most home runs in baseball history by a second baseman.
Top finish on BBWAA ballot: 46.5% in 2023.
Outlook: First appearance on Contemporary Baseball Era Committee ballot. Polarizing figure during his playing days and had limited defensive value.
Don Mattingly
Career: First baseman and outfielder from 1982-1995 for the New York Yankees.
Key statistics: 222 home runs, 2,153 hits, 1,099 RBI, .830 OPS, 127 adjusted OPS, 42.4 WAR.
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Notable accomplishments: Six-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glove award winner, three-time Silver Slugger award winner, 1985 AL MVP, 1984 AL batting champion (.343).
Top finish on BBWAA ballot: 28.2% in 2001.
Outlook: Second appearance on Contemporary Baseball Era Committee ballot. Received eight of 12 votes needed for induction in 2022. Sentimental favorite for election after previous near-miss.
Dale Murphy
Career: Outfielder, first baseman and catcher from 1976-1993 with the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies.
Key statistics: 398 home runs, 2,111 hits, 1,266 RBI, .815 OPS, 121 adjusted OPS, 46.5 WAR.
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Notable accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove award winner, four-time Silver Slugger award winner, NL MVP in 1982 and 1983.
Top finish on BBWAA ballot: 23.2% in 2000.
Outlook: Second appearance on Contemporary Baseball Era Committee ballot. Received six of 12 votes needed for induction in 2022. Committee makeup could give him the boost he needs.
Gary Sheffield
Career: Right fielder, third baseman and designated hitter from 1988-2009 for the Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers and New York Mets.
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Key statistics: 509 home runs, 2,689 hits, 1,676 RBI, .907 OPS, 140 adjusted OPS, 60.5 WAR.
Notable accomplishments: Nine-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger award winner, 1997 World Series champion, 1992 NL batting champion (.330). One of only 28 major leaguers with 500+ career home runs.
Top finish on BBWAA ballot: 63.9% in 2024.
Outlook: First appearance on Contemporary Baseball Era Committee ballot. Career longevity and consistent support from BBWAA should give him a chance.
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Fernando Valenzuela
Career: Pitcher from 1980-1997 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals.
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Key statistics: 173-153 career record, 3.54 ERA, 2,074 strikeouts, 41.4 WAR.
Notable accomplishments: Six-time All-Star, 1981 NL Rookie of the Year and Cy Young award winner, 1981 World Series champion, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award winner.
Top finish on BBWAA ballot: 6.2% in 2003.
Outlook: First appearance on Contemporary Baseball Era Committee ballot. Died in October 2024.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who’s on the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame Contemporary ballot?
