Former St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ted Simmons and players’ union executive Marvin Miller were both elected into the Hall of Fame by the Modern Baseball Era Committee on Sunday. They are the first two member of the 2020 Hall of Fame class.
The Modern Baseball Era Committee considers individuals who contributed to baseball from 1970-1987 and who are no longer eligible through the writers’ election process.
Simmons, who fell one vote shy of election in 2017, played 21 seasons for the Cardinals, Brewers and Braves, being named to the All-Star team eight times. He is second all-time in both hits and RBIs among players who spent at least half their careers as a catcher.
Miller, who died in 2012, helped institute free agency as head of the players’ association in the 1960s and ’70s. He was highly critical of the Hall of Fame selection process during his lifetime and fell one vote shy of induction for the 2011 class.
“Players are pleased that Marvin will now take his rightful and long overdue place in the Hall of Fame in recognition of the monumental and positive impact he had on our game and our industry,” current Union boss Tony Clark said in a statement.
To be elected, nominees had to receive votes from 12 of the 16 committee members. Thurman Munson, Don Mattingly, Tommy John, Steve Garvey, Dale Murphy, Dave Parker, Dwight Evans and Lou Whitaker were the other names on this year’s 10-man ballot who did not receive enough votes.
Simmons and Miller will be inducted into Cooperstown during ceremonies on July 26 along with any players chosen next month by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America from a ballot headed by former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.
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