Appier among 26 candidates on 2010 Hall of Fame ballot

Ex-Royals pitcher Kevin Appier is one of 26 candidates on the 2010 Hall of Fame ballot released this afternoon. He and 15 other first-time nominees join 11 returning candidates under consideration for induction.

Appier, 41, spent 13 of his 16 big-league seasons with the Royals in compiling a 169-137 record and 3.74 ERA. He also pitched for the A’s, Angels and Mets prior to his retirement after the 2004 season.

Other first-time candidates include second baseman Roberto Alomar, shortstop Barry Larkin, designated hitter Edgar Martinez, first baseman Fred McGriff, and Kansas City, Kan., native David Segui.

Returning candidates include outfielders Andre Dawson and Tim Raines, first baseman Mark McGwire and pitchers Bert Blyleven, Lee Smith, Jack Morris and former Royal David Cone.

Players must be cited on 75 percent of returned ballots to gain induction. The voting body is active and honorary members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America who held active membership for at least 10 consecutive years.

Results will be announced Jan. 6. Any elected player will be inducted July 25 at a ceremony near the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. The ceremony will also include any selections by the veterans committees.

Former Royals owner Ewing M. Kauffman is among 10 executives and pioneers under consideration; former Royals manager Whitey Herzog is one of 10 manager/umpire finalists.

The veterans committees announce their votes on Dec. 7 at baseball’s annual winter meetings in Indianapolis.

Eligibility for the BBWAA ballot is limited to players retired for at least five years after a career of 10 or more years. Voters can select up to 10 players on their ballot.

Players cited on at least 5 percent of returned ballots remain eligible for the following year. A player may remain on the BBWAA ballot for a maximum of 15 years. Thereafter, he is eligible for consideration by the Hall of Fame’s Veterans Committee.

The complete BBWAA ballot (asterisk indicates returning candidate):

Roberto Alomar, Kevin Appier, Harold Baines*, Bert Blyleven*, Ellis Burks, Andre Dawson*, Andres Galarraga, Pat Hentgen, Mike Jackson, Eric Karros, Ray Lankford, Barry Larkin, Edgar Martinez, Don Mattingly*, Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire*, Jack Morris*, Dale Murphy*, Dave Parker*, Tim Raines*, Shane Reynolds, David Segui, Lee Smith*, Alan Trammell*, Robin Ventura and Todd Zeile.

To reach Bob Dutton, Royals reporter for The Star, send email to bdutton@kcstar.com. Follow his updates at twitter.com/Royals_Report.

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