Steinbrenner on Hall of Fame ballot

November 9, 2010

Yankees owner George Steinbrenner will be on the Hall of Fame veterans committee ballot next month for the first time.

Steinbrenner was the owner of the Yankees from 1973 until his death in July.  During his ownership, the team won 16 AL East titles, 11 AL pennants and seven World Series championships.  

Also on the ballot with Steinbrenner will be former New York manager Billy Martin.  Martin had five different stints as Yankees manager under Steinbrenner, who fired him four times.

Also on the ballot will be former union head Marvin Miller, former Toronto, Baltimore and Philadelphia GM Pat Gillick and players Vida Blue, Dave Concepcion, Steve Garvey, Ron Guidry, Al Oliver, Ted Simmons, Rusty Staub and Tommy John.  Some may be surprised to know that Tommy John was not the doctor who invented the popular ligament replacement surgery, but a pitcher who was the first player to undergo the procedure.

To be elected, a candidate must appear on at least 75 percent of the ballots.  Results will be announced Dec. 6 at the winter meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

This year’s veterans committee ballot covers baseball’s expansion era.  Players, managers, executives and umpires whose significant impact was from 1973 on were considered in the first of a three-year cycle.  Under changes announced last summer, the golden era (1947-1972) will be voted on in 2011 and the pre-integration era (1881-1946) will be voted on in 2012.

Anyone elected will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during ceremonies in Cooperstown on July 24