All-Time stolen base leader Rickey Henderson headlines this years Hall of Fame ballot. Henderson’s career spanned 25 years (from 1979-2003) with the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, Anaheim Angels, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He finished with 3,055 hits, 2,295 runs, 297 home runs, and 1,406 stolen bases. Henderson defined what the modern day leadoff batter is; a combination of power and speed. His 81 leadoff home runs is still a Major League record.

Also on the ballot was former Phillies pitcher Dan Plesac and outfielder Ron Gant. Plesac finished his career in 2003 where he went 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA. He was also on the mound for the final out at Veterans Stadium. Plesac pitched for six teams in his 18 year career and finished with a career mark of 65-71 with a 3.64 ERA and 158 saves. Gant spent a season-and-a-half in Philadelphia where he hit 37 home runs and drove in 115 in 227 games.

The newcomers joining Henderson, Gant and Plesac are Jesse Orosco, David Cone, Mo Vaughn, Greg Vaughn, Mark Grace, Matt Williams, and Jay Bell.

These 10 players will join the 13 current players on the ballot (Jim Rice, Andre Dawson, Harold Baines, Bert Blyleven, Tim Raines, Tommy John, Don Mattingly, Mark McGwire, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, Dave Parker, Lee Smith, and Alan Trammell), making it the smallest Hall of Fame ballot in history.

Henderson is a first ballot Hall of Famer, but he might be the only one to get in this year. Outside of Henderson none of the newcomers are Hall of Fame worthy, and while I feel Dawson and Blyleven should have already been there, and I can see a case made for Morris and Rice, the Baseball Writers Association of America have felt differently.

It is an interesting year for Rice, as well as John, because it’s their final year of eligibility on the ballot. Should neither get voted in, it would be up to the Veteran’s Committee to decide if they belong in baseball’s grandest shrine.