Hall Chooses Inductees Today

Pitchers Don Sutton and Phil Niekro, both 300-game winners, and Tony Perez, whose 1,652 RBIs rank 16th on the career list, will find out today whether this is their year to finally get elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Niekro (318-274 lifetime) has been shut out three times in voting by members of the Baseball Writers Association of America. Sutton (324-256 in his career) has missed twice and Perez has failed four times.

Among others, pitchers Tommy John (288-231) and Jim Kaat (283-237) are on the ballot and Curt Flood, Tony Oliva and the late Vada Pinson are on the ballot for the 15th and final time. Again, Pete Rose is not on the list of candidates because he remains on baseball’s ineligible list.

Of the 13 first-time candidates on this year’s ballot, Fred Lynn, Keith Hernandez and Dan Quisenberry are the favorites to get into Cooperstown, but none is guaranteed a spot in the shrine.

A candidate must be selected on 75 percent of the ballots from the BBWAA for election. A player must receive 5 percent support to remain on the ballot.