The Modern Era Committee announced their votes at the winter meetings last night and Red Sox legend Dwight Evans did not receive the number of votes needed to gain a Hall of Fame induction.
Ted Simmons and Marvin Miller were the only names selected by the committee. To be accepted into the Hall of Fame, the person’s name must be on 75 percent of the committee’s ballots (eight out of 12). This move seems of a bit of a surprise as Evans was considered to be a favorite among the candidates to be selected.
Simmons got 13 votes and Miller received 12. Dwight Evans (eight), Dave Parker (seven), Steve Garvey (six) and Lou Whitaker (six) all got at least six votes but fell short of the 12-vote threshold. Tommy John, Don Mattingly, Thurman Munson, and Dale Murphy were also on this year’s Modern Era ballot.
The modern era committee has sent Harold Baines and Lee Smith last year, and Jack Morris and Alan Trammell the year prior. So why didn’t Evans make the cut? During his 20 year career, he posted a .272 average with 385 home runs and 1,384 runs batted in.
He also stole 78 bases during his 19-year tenure with the Boston Red Sox and one season with the Baltimore Orioles.
The 16-person Modern Baseball Era Committee consisted of Hall of Famers George Brett, Rod Carew, Dennis Eckersley, Eddie Murray, Ozzie Smith, Robin Yount; major league executives Sandy Alderson, Dave Dombrowski, David Glass, Walt Jocketty, Doug Melvin, Terry Ryan; and media members/baseball historians Bill Center, Steve Hirdt, Jack O’Connell and Tracy Ringolsby.
