Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Six Others Vie for 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame Induction

Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, Carlos Delgado, Jeff Kent, Gary Sheffield, and Fernando Valenzuela have been nominated for the Baseball Hall of Fame's Contemporary Baseball Era Committee ballot for potential induction in 2026. The committee, consisting of 16 voters, will convene in December 2025 to determine which candidates, requiring a 75% vote threshold, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown. Bonds and Clemens, despite their exceptional career achievements, face controversy due to allegations of performance-enhancing drug use, which has hindered their election through the Baseball Writers' Association of America vote. Dale Murphy, a two-time National League MVP and seven-time All-Star, is making another attempt after previous unsuccessful bids, with a career marked by impressive statistics but hampered by injuries. Don Mattingly, known for his stellar Yankees career and multiple awards, is also seeking induction again following prior near-misses. This year's ballot reflects a competitive field including players with significant accolades and statistical milestones, some of whom face challenges related to their era and previous voting results.