Former New York Yankees Slugger Faces Close Hall Of Fame Vote
Former New York Yankees star Gary Sheffield remains on the cusp of potential election to the Baseball Hall of Fame after the first 100 ballots were made public on New Year’s Eve.
Sheffield is in his final year of eligibility. If he is unable to receive the 75 percent of the vote he needs for induction, then he would fall off the ballot and his candidacy would eventually fall to one of the Hall of Fame’s veteran committees.
Ballots for the BHOF’s 2024 Class were due on New Year’s Eve. Members of the Baseball Writers Association of America that have cast their ballots and made them public on social are being tracked by independent writers.
After 100 ballots were made public and cataloged, Sheffield had 73.0% of the vote, putting him just shy of what he needs for induction.
Four players were above the 75% needed for induction after 100 ballots — Adrián Beltré (98.0%), Joe Mauer (83.0%), Todd Helton (82.0%) and Billy Wagner (79.0%)
The group tracking the votes estimates that 384 ballots will be cast, meaning any player would need an estimated 288 votes for induction.
Sheffield played for a number of MLB teams, including the 2005 and 2006 seasons with the Yankees. He put together his final All-Star campaign in his first season the Bronx, eventually batting .294 with 34 home runs and 123 RBI. He also won a Silver Slugger award that seasons.
He played 22 seasons in the Majors with a .292 batting average. He’s one of a small percentage of players with at least 500 career home runs (509), which puts him 27th in the category.
He was never an MVP but finished in the Top 10 of balloting six times. He was a nine-time All-Star, a five-time Silver Slugger and remains among the top-ranked players in walks (1,475), RBI (1,676) and total bases (4,737).
He won his only World Series rings with the Marlins in 1997.
The results will be revealed on Jan. 23. The induction ceremony is set for July 21 in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Whichever players are selected will join former manager Jim Leyland, who was voted in on the Contemporary Baseball Era Managers/Executives/Umpires ballot at the Winter Meetings.
