In an exciting announcement from the Winter Meetings in Dallas, sluggers Dick Allen and Dave Parker have earned their places in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The election results came from the Classic Baseball Era Committee, with Allen receiving 13 votes and Parker 14, surpassing the required 75% threshold from the 16-member committee.


Allen and Parker were part of an eight-player ballot focusing on contributions prior to 1980, including players from the Negro Leagues and pre-Negro Leagues. Other notable candidates included Ken Boyer, John Donaldson, Steve Garvey, Vic Harris, Tommy John, and Luis Tiant.


Allen and Parker will join the Class of 2025, along with any inductees from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America Hall of Fame ballot, to be announced on January 21 live on MLB Network. The induction ceremony is scheduled for July 27 in Cooperstown, New York.


Dick Allen's Legacy:

Playing 15 years in Major League Baseball, primarily with the Phillies and White Sox, Allen made seven All-Star appearances and won the American League MVP Award in 1972. His career OPS+ of 156 with the Phillies is the highest in the team's history, even surpassing Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt. Between 1964-1974, Allen led MLB in offensive WAR with 68.3, ahead of legendary players like Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson. Despite the lack of advanced metrics during his career, Allen was known for his powerful 42-ounce bat and towering home runs, including 18 that cleared Connie Mack Stadium's 65-foot-high left-field grandstand.


Dave Parker's Career:

Nicknamed "The Cobra," Parker was a formidable presence in MLB during the 1970s and '80s, playing for six teams, including the Pirates, Reds, and Athletics. Parker earned two batting titles, an NL MVP Award, three Gold Glove Awards, and three Silver Slugger Awards over his 19-year career. He hit .290 with 339 home runs and 1,493 RBIs, and was named Designated Hitter of the Year in 1989 and 1990. Parker's powerful arm was on full display during the 1979 All-Star Game, where he earned MVP honors by throwing out both Jim Rice and Brian Downing, helping the NL secure a 7-6 victory.


With these inductions, the Hall of Fame celebrates the extraordinary careers and contributions of Dick Allen and Dave Parker, ensuring their legacies will continue to inspire future generations.

A new class of potential Hall of Famers has emerged, with 14 players joining the ballot for the 2025 election. Among the notable newcomers are Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Félix Hernández, and Carlos González.

Key Newcomers:

• Ichiro Suzuki: A legendary hitter with a unique skill set, Ichiro revolutionized the game with his speed and contact hitting.
• CC Sabathia: A dominant left-handed pitcher with a powerful fastball and devastating slider, Sabathia was a force in the American League for nearly two decades.
• Félix Hernández: Known for his electric stuff and pinpoint control, Hernández was one of the best pitchers of his generation.
• Carlos González: A dynamic offensive player with power and speed, González was a key part of the Rockies' success in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Holdovers and Notable Absences:

Several notable players return to the ballot, including Billy Wagner, who is in his final year of eligibility. Other returning candidates include Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, Andruw Jones, and Carlos Beltran.

Gary Sheffield, a controversial figure due to performance-enhancing drug allegations, has been dropped from the ballot after 10 years.

​The Hall of Fame voting process is complex and often contentious. It will be interesting to see how these new candidates fare and whether any of them will ultimately earn a spot in Cooperstown.