Santo Domingo. The Cooperstown Hall of Fame has announced the 16 members of the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee, who will be in charge of evaluating the candidate figures for the 2026 cycle. The results of this evaluation will be announced next Sunday, December 7th at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Among the candidates, eight players stand out who left an indelible mark on baseball since 1980:
- Barry Bonds
- Roger Clemens
- Carlos Delgado
- Jeff Kent
- Don Mattingly
- Dale Murphy
- Gary Sheffield
- Fernando Valenzuela
Key Figures in the Ballot
Barry Bonds (Outfielder)Considered by many as the best position player in history, Bonds is the all-time home run leader (762), owner of the record of 73 home runs in a season and historical leader in walks (2,558). Seven-time Most Valuable Player and eight-time Gold Glove winner, his offensive impact redefined the game.Roger Clemens (Pitcher)
“The Rocket” had a dominant career with seven Cy Young awards, a record figure. World Series champion with the Yankees in 1999 and 2000, he added 4,672 strikeouts —the third-highest number in history— and pitched two 20-strikeout games in his illustrious career.Carlos Delgado (First Base)The Puerto Rican was one of the most consistent hitters of his time with 473 home runs and nine seasons of 100 or more RBIs. Historical leader of the Blue Jays in home runs (336), he also won the Roberto Clemente Award in 2006.Jeff Kent (Second Base)The second baseman with the most home runs in history (377) is one of the great producers at his position. He was the National League MVP in 2000 and recorded more than 100 RBIs in eight consecutive seasons.Don Mattingly (First Base)Yankees icon in the 80s, he was Most Valuable Player, batting champion, and winner of eight Gold Gloves. Mattingly closed his career with a .307 average and later excelled as a manager in Major League Baseball.Dale Murphy (Outfielder)Two-time Most Valuable Player, Murphy was one of the Braves’ superstars in the 80s. A seven-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner, he accumulated 308 home runs in a brilliant decade.Gary Sheffield (Outfielder)
With 509 home runs and 1,676 RBIs, Sheffield was one of the most feared hitters of his generation. He won the batting title in 1992 and was a key figure in the Marlins’ championship victory in 1997.Fernando Valenzuela (Pitcher)The “Fernandomania” marked an era. Rookie of the Year and Cy Young in 1981, Valenzuela became a cultural and sporting phenomenon. With the Dodgers he accumulated six All-Star Game appearances, two Silver Bats and a Gold Glove.
