The Classic Baseball Era, which consists of the period to 1980 (including the Negro Leagues), has announced its eight Finalists for the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
The nominees are:
Dick Allen: Here is Allen again, and fans and family of the late slugger must be tired of waiting. Allen was on the Writer’s Ballot for 15 years, peaking at 18.9% in 1996, his fourteenth year. As for the Veterans ballot, this is his sixth try, with him falling short by one vote in his last two tries (2015 and 2022).
Allen was the 1972 American League MVP (with Chicago). Over a 15-year career, he hit 351 Home Runs with 1,119 RBIs. He was also a seven-time All-Star, two-time OBP leader, three-time Slugging Champion, and four-time leader in OPS.
Ken Boyer: Boyer was also on the Writer’s Ballot for 15 years, with his apex coming in 1988 (his ninth ballot) with 25.5 percent of the vote. Like Allen, he has been on six Veterans ballots but has never come close to achieving the 75% required.
An 11-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner, Boyer won the 1964 National League MVP and led his Cardinals to a World Series Championship that year. He had 2,143 hits, 282 home runs, and 1141 RBIs.
John Donaldson: Donaldson received 50% of the vote on the 2022 Veterans ballot, boding well for his chances this year.
While Donaldson played in the Negro Leagues in the first half of the 1920s with the Kansas City Monarchs, his best years were in the pre-Negro Leagues era. Overall, the Pitcher is believed to have a record of 424-169-15, 5,221 Strikeouts, and an ERA of 1.37.
Steve Garvey: Garvey lasted 15 years on the writer’s ballot, with his peak coming in year three at 42.6 percent. He appeared on four Veteran’s Ballots, with a 37.5% finish on the 2020 version.
Garvey won the 1974 National League MVP, was a 10-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, and helped the Dodgers win the 1981 World Series. He had 2,599 Hits, 272 Home Runs and 1,308 RBIs.
Vic Harris: Harris netted 62.5% on his first Veteran’s Ballot in 2022, two votes shy of what he needed for induction.
Harris was a seven-time Negro League All-Star and a long-time Manager who boasted a winning record of 547-278. He overall won none Negro League Pennants and three Negro League World Series Championships.
Tommy John: John was on the Writer’s Ballot for 15 years, with his final year reaching his peak of 31.7%. He has been on the Veteran’s Ballot four times before but never received enough votes to register.
A four-time All-Star. John had a career record of 288-231 with 2,245 Strikeouts and was a Cy Young runner-up twice.
Dave Parker: Parker was on 15 Writer’s Ballots and finished as high as 24.5% in his second year. He has been on three Veteran’s Ballots and had 43.8% on his 2020 attempt.
Parker led Pittsburgh to a World Series Championship in 1979 and won a second ring a decade later with Oakland. A six-time All-Star with three Silver Sluggers, Parker won the 1978 National League MVP. He had 339 career Home Runs and 1,493 RBIs.
Luis Tiant: Tiant was on 15 Writer’s Ballots, peaking with 17.2 in his 14th attempt. He has been on six Veterans ballots, but only received 25 percent once, and in his last three attempts, did not get enough votes to register.
The recently deceased Pitcher is an iconic figure in Boston, helping them win the 1975 American League Pennant, though his best year in baseball was in Cleveland (1968: 21-9, 1.60 ERA & 264 SO). Tiant was a three-time All-Star with a career record of 229-172 and 2,416 Strikeouts.
The results will be announced on December 8 at 7:30 PM.
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