Former MVP and current Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre, longtime Chicago Cubs third baseman Ron Santo, and former Dodgers shortstop and speedster Maury Wills are among 10 retired baseball players who the Veterans Committee will consider for election into the National Baseball Hall of Fame later this year.
Dick Allen, Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Tony Oliva, Al Oliver, Vada Pinson and Luis Tiant will also be considered for enshrinement in the class of 2009. Hall of Fame members will vote this fall, and the results will be announced December 8 at baseball's Winter Meetings in Las Vegas.
The 10 former players considered by the Veterans Committee all had careers that began in 1943 or later, and were culled from a list of 21 candidates. Those candidates who were not selected are Ken Boyer, Bert Campaneris, Rocky Colavito, Mike Cuellar, Steve Garvey, Ted Kluszewski, Mickey Lolich, Roger Maris, Lee May, Minnie Minoso and Thurman Munson.
Players whose careers began after 1943 are considered by the Veterans Committee every other year. Players whose careers began in 1942 or earlier are considered every five years. Bill Dahlen, Wes Ferrell, Joe Gordon, Sherry Magee, Carl Mays, Allie Reynolds, Vern Stephens, Mickey Vernon, Bucky Walters and Deacon White will be considered by a 12-member voting committee (seven Hall of Famers and five historians), scheduled to meet on December 7 in Las Vegas.
Players whose careers began in 1942 or earlier will have to wait until 2013 to be considered again, while players whose careers began in 1943 or later will be back up for consideration in 2010.
