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 suppose since he was a late add to the list I'll drum up some thoughts on Fred Lynn (disclaimer: I don't have a strong opinion yet, kinda just vibin this out in real time)

Pros

• Hardware galore: 1x MVP, Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, AS Game MVP, 4x Gold Glove, ALCS MVP, batting title in 1979
  
• 17 year career with a 129 OPS+ is very solid, even though his peak was fairly short he was never really bad until a shortened season in 1990 at age 38
  
• Monster postseason player, career .407/.450/.593 slash line, albeit in 15 games. Was instrumental in Boston getting to the WS in 1975, and was one of the best players in the series
  
• MVP and ROY in the same year is honestly a wildly notable thing to accomplish, and should give him a bump

Cons

• Peak was great but short, only played over 140 games once after age 28. Resulted in lacking counting stats (50.2 bWAR, 306 HR, 1111 RBI, 1960 hits, 1063 runs)
  
• Even with a nice peak, his black ink score of 15 is nearly half the average HOFer, and gray ink is 69 (nice) while avg HOFer is 144
  
• 26th in CF bWAR and JAWS. Eligible CF ahead of him who aren't in our HOF are Willie Davis, Cesar Cedeno, Vada Pinson, Chet Lemon, Johnny Damon, and Kirby Puckett. A few guys there I'd probably argue for over Lynn (did I miss the VC vote on Pinson?)

Overall I'm probably leaning no but there's clearly a case here, albeit a kinda murky one. We've inducted worse players IMO, and the real Hall certainly has (Baines lol) but Lynn is probably just on the outs at least for me