Overview
- The eight-player ballot features Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Gary Sheffield, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, Jeff Kent, Carlos Delgado and Fernando Valenzuela.
- The Contemporary Era committee votes Dec. 7 in Orlando, requiring 75% support (12 of 16) for election, with results broadcast live on MLB Network.
- Any inductees will be enshrined in Cooperstown on July 26, 2026, alongside BBWAA selections scheduled to be announced Jan. 20.
- A Hall rule adopted in March removes candidates who receive fewer than five votes from the next three-year cycle for this committee.
- Valenzuela, who died in October 2024, won the 1981 NL Cy Young and Rookie of the Year and finished with 173 wins and a 3.54 ERA after brief BBWAA support of 6.2% and 3.8%.