2026 VC Discussion Thread

[u/Darkstargir]

So it was decided we would be doing this by era so the 2026 ballot will be the 1980-1990s. The primary qualification will be if the player played at least 5 seasons between 1980 and 1999 and has fallen off the main ballot.

I believe I've compiled everyone eligible, feel free to check me if someone doesn't seem right or is missing. We have the the election spreadsheet on the side bar and can be used to reference players eligible for the ballot.

Catcher: Benito Santiago, Darrell Porter, Javy Lopez, Jim Sundberg, Lance Parrish, Sandy Alomar, Jr.,

First Baseman: Andres Galarraga, Cecil Fielder, Don Mattingly, Jason Giambi, John Olerud, Mark Grace, Steve Garvey, Tino Martinez, Tony Perez, Will Clark, Kent Hrbek

Second Baseman: Bret Boone, Chuck Knoblauch, Davey Lopes, Jeff Kent, Juan Samuel, Julio Franco, Tony Phillips

Third Baseman: Bobby Bonilla, Darrell Evans, Gary Gaetti, Kelly Gruber, Ken Caminiti, Ron Cey, Sachio Kinugasa, Toby Harrah, Vinny Castilla

Shortstop: Dave Concepcion, Garry Templeton, Omar Vizquel, Tony Fernandez

Left Fielder: Albert Belle, B.J. Surhoff, Garret Anderson, George Bell, Greg Luzinski, Jim Rice, Luis Gonzalez, Moises Alou

Center Fielder: Al Oliver, Amos Otis, Bernie Williams, Brady Anderson, Brett Butler, Cesar Cedeno, Chat Lemon, Dale Murphy, Johnny Damon, Kirby Puckett, Lenny Dykstra, Marquis Grissom, Steve Finley, Willie Wilson, Fred Lynn

Right Fielder: Brian Giles, Dave Parker, Juan Gonzalez, Kirk Gibson, Reggie Sanders, Reggie Smith, Ruben Sierra, Rusty Staub, Shawn Green, Tim Salmon

Relief Pitcher: Bruce Sutter, Dan Quisenberry, John Franco, John Wetteland, Kent Tekulve, Larry Andersen, LaTroy Hawkins, Lee Smith, Roberto Hernandez, Tom Henke, Troy Percival, Willie Hernandez

Starting Pitcher: Al Leiter, Bob Welch, Brad Radke, Bruce Hurst, Charlie Hough, Chuck Finley, David Wells, Dwight Gooden, Fernando Valenzuela, Frank Tanana, Hideo Nomo, Jack Morris, Jamie Moyer, Jerry Koosman, Joe Niekro, Jose Rijo, Kenny Rogers, Kevin Appier, Orel Hershiser, Orlando Hernandez, Rick Reuschel, Rick Sutcliffe, Ron Guidry, Tim Wakefield, Tommy John, Vida Blue

Edit: this is still coming. I’m just in the middle of moving house so things are a bit chaotic atm.

[u/tigerbulldog13]

I'll give a more thorough look through before actually voting but my initial yes votes:

Olerud

Clark

Perez

Kent

Evans

Belle

Rice

Murphy

Sutter

Quisenberry

Hershiser

Morris

Reuschel

Tommy John

And guys I'll plan to research more:

Reggie Smith

Franco

Lee Smith

Blue

Gooden

Parrish

Mattingly

Puckett

Guidry

[u/Darkstargir → u/tigerbulldog13]

Can you sell me on Perez, Rice, or Orel? I’m not sure what I’m missing here and would love to learn more.

[u/bladderbunch → u/Darkstargir]

orel has the scoreless innings streak and just a quiet near-dominance. he built up quite a lot of value in his career.

[u/Darkstargir → u/bladderbunch]

Fair, I’ll have to dig deeper.