Kent Elected to Hall; Former Phils Fall Short

A committee of 16 MLB Hall of Fame players, team executives, writers and a baseball historian gathered to consider eight players who were all seeking entrance into the Baseball Hall of Fame. When the names had been discussed and their achievements – and shortcomings – were all put under a microscope only one player was selected to be inducted to Cooperstown. Former Giants second baseman Jeff Kent, who also played for Cleveland, the New York Mets, Houston and the Los Angeles Dodgers, is the all-time home run hitter for a second baseman with 354 home runs while playing at second.

There were two former Phillies – Dale Murphy and Fernando Valenzuela – on the ballot, but neither received the necessary 12 votes to be elected. Murphy and Don Mattingly both received six votes. Carlos Delgado received nine votes to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, just three votes short of the 12 needed. Valenzuela received less than five votes, but vote totals for players with less than five votes are not released.

THE READ-IN: Find out more about the Contemporary Era voting

The Contemporary Era Committee was formerly known as the Veterans Committee and gives players who were not elected by the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) a fresh look by a committee that includes Hall of Fame players. The committee was made up of: Hall of Famers Fergie Jenkins, Jim Kaat, Juan Marichal, Tony Perez, Ozzie Smith, Alan Trammell and Robin Yount. Current and former MLB executives Mark Attanasio, Doug Melvin, Arte Moreno, Kim Ng, Tony Reagins and Terry Ryan are on the committee. Baseball writers Jayson Stark and Tyler Kepner from The Athletic will be voting, as will baseball historian Steve Hirdt from the Elias Sports Bureau.

To be elected, players must be voted on by 12 of the 16 participants – 75%, the same percentage needed for election by the BBWAA – and each participant is allowed to vote for only three players.

Two players associated with steroid usage – Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens – were on the ballot but both received less than five votes. Also receiving less than five votes were Valenzuela and Gary Sheffield.

The BBWAA voting results will be announced on January 20th and the Hall of Fame induction will be held on Sunday July 26, 2026.

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