Six former Phillies eligible for 2021 Hall of Fame honors
By Matt Rappa
Six former Phillies eligible for the 2021 Hall of Fame Ballot
A half-dozen former Philadelphia Phillies players will be considered this offseason to enter the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, as part of the Class of 2021, as the ballot was released on Monday. The most recent former Phils to enter include Roy Halladay (2019), Jim Thome (2018), and Pedro Martinez (2015).
For first-year Hall of Fame eligibility, players must have retired following the 2015 season and played at least 10 seasons in the major leagues. For returning players, they must have received five percent of the vote in the previous year and remain on the ballot for no more than 10 years.
Along with the four former Phillies who remain eligible from the 2020 ballot, two more join the ballot for the first time. Among them include beloved fan-favorite, the Flyin’ Hawaiian, Shane Victorino; voting results will be announced on January 26.
6. Shane Victorino, 1st year eligible
Shane Victorino had a successful 12-season career, earning a pair of All-Star nods and World Series championships, as well as four Gold Glove Awards. Plus, half of the Gold Glove Awards came during seasons in which his team won the World Series (2008, Phillies; 2013, Boston Red Sox).
Victorino joined the Phillies through the Rule 5 draft, and immediately made an impact on the big-league roster through 21 games in red pinstripes during the 2005 season, slashing .294/.263/.647 with two home runs and eight RBI.
Overall, in parts of eight seasons played in Philadelphia, he slashed .279/.345/.439 with 181 doubles, 63 triples, 88 home runs, 390 RBI, and 179 stolen bases. Victorino is most remembered for his 2008 NLDS grand slam opposite the Milwaukee Brewers’ CC Sabathia, not to mention another grand slam in the 2013 ALCS between the Red Sox and Detroit Tigers.