2026 Contemporary Hall of Fame Ballot littered with former Blue Jays

Major League Baseball has announced the candidates for the 2026 Contemporary Era Ballot and four out of the eighth candidates have ties to the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Contemporary Era Ballot is a special ballot that gives a second chance to baseball figures overlooked by the writers. It's voting block consists of 16 former players, managers, executives, and other personalities.

The Blue Jays Bench coach was a borderline candidate throughout his playing career, lauded for his defence but with offensive numbers that many writers feel came up just short. While his 42.4 WAR won't do him any favours in the analytic community, he is starting to receive more support - especially among fans - in recent years.

The Seven-time Cy Young winner spent two years with the Blue Jays and has the numbers that many would consider to be first ballot material. However, his alleged ties to Performance Enhancing Drugs derailed his chances and he was eliminated after his tenth year on the ballot.

The 2nd baseman made his debut with the Blue Jays in 1992. Much like Mattingly, he was a borderline candidate during his time on the writer's ballot. While he has the most home runs out of any second baseman in major league, he was considered a poor defender. His negative clubhouse presence and reputation as the meanest man in baseball didn't help his cause with the writers either.

The longtime first baseman was one-and-done; receiving less than 5% in his only appearance on the ballot. Many baseball fans, as well as analysts, feel that he never got a fair shake, largely due to the clogged ballots of that era. While he is a long shot, he has the numbers and his candidacy could suprise some.

Other players on the 8 person ballot include OF Barry Bonds, OF Dale Murphy, OF Gary Sheffield, and SP Fernando Valenzuela.

Results of the contemporary era ballot will be announced December 7th.