Matt Holliday (left) and Gary Sheffield (right), former American Legion Baseball players, are nominated for Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2024
In the race for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2024, two former American Legion Baseball players are among the 26 candidates on the Baseball Writers Association of America ballot.
From Stillwater, Okla., Matt Holliday, and Gary Sheffield from Post 248 in Tampa, Fla., are being considered for induction into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y, with Holliday in his first year of eligibility and Sheffield in his final attempt. The voting outcome is scheduled to be revealed on Jan. 23, with the induction ceremony set for Hall of Fame weekend on July 21.
During his 15-season career in the major leagues, Holliday played for the Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, and the New York Yankees. As a seven-time All-Star and a four-time Silver Slugger Award-winning left fielder, he earned the MVP title in the 2007 National League Championship Series with the Rockies and contributed to the Cardinals’ World Series triumph in 2011. In 2007, he led the Nation League with a .340 batting average, 216 hits, 50 doubles, 137 RBIs, and 386 total bases. Holliday concluded his career with a .299 batting average, 316 home runs, and 1,220 RBIs. With a career batting average of .299, 316 home runs, and 1,220 RBIs, Holliday’s stats have earned him the opportunity to join the esteemed list of Hall of Famers.
Gary Sheffield, a formidable outfielder, faces his 10th and final year on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot. His final chance at Hall of Fame induction comes after gathering 55% of the votes in the previous year. With a 22-season career that spanned teams including the Milwaukee Brewers, Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and New York Mets, Sheffield left a mark on the game. Notably, his time with the Dodgers from 1998 to 2001 showcased his skills, walking more times than striking out and boasting an impressive on-base percentage of .424. He experienced a successful, yet brief time with the Dodgers, earning two All-Star appearances during his three and a half seasons with the team. Overall, Sheffield’s career includes nine All-Star appearances, five Silver Slugger Awards, and a Florida Marlins’ 1997 World Series victory.
Joining Holliday and Sheffield in the quest for baseball immortality are former managers Jim Leyland and Lou Piniella, both American Legion Baseball alumni. Leyland, a three-time Manager of the Year Award winner, and Piniella, with 1,835 wins and a 1990 World Series title, await the decision of the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee on December 3.
As the anticipation builds for the Hall of Fame weekend set for July 21, the baseball community anxiously awaits the announcement of the chosen few. With 85 American Legion Baseball alumni who have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, the legacy continues for those who have left a mark on the sport.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.