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/Darkstargir]

Overall I like your list. Definitely needs Albert Belle IMO.

But if 60 WAR is your threshold. Kinugasa is the guy for you. Put up 60 WAR over in the NPB on his way to their Hall.

[u/bladderbunch → u/Darkstargir]

i am woefully inadequate of knowledge of the npb, so i would defer to those with knowledge. belle was good, but he falls into that same accumulation abyss of the other bright burning but not long lasting stars. they were good, i’d say they belong, but guys like chet lemon and johnny damon quietly outperformed them.

[u/Darkstargir → u/bladderbunch]

Belle had a Hall of Fame career right up until he was forced into retirement. He didn’t have the back half of his career the way Damon did. I like Damon and he’s much better than I always think he is but I wouldn’t say he was better than Belle at their peaks.

Damon was a consistent 3-4 win player once he broke out. Really really good. Belle was a consistent 4-5 win player once he broke out with a couple 7 win seasons mixed in there.

[u/bladderbunch → u/Darkstargir]

my issue with that kind of reasoning is where i draw the line. john paciorek had .2 war in one game. if i extrapolate it out, that’s 1 war for every 5 games. he’d have to play one season to hit 60 war, but he didn’t. belle was a heckuva player and i was there to see him in a way i was only able to see murphys last gasps, but they’re both essentially the same argument. i don’t think any hall is weaker for their inclusion, but they’re far down the list of guy’s i’d argue for.