In yet another disappointing and frankly baffling outcome, Don Mattingly was once again denied election to the Baseball Hall of Fame this week. “Donnie Baseball” did not receive the 12 votes required from the 16-member Contemporary Baseball Era Committee at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, falling short of induction in what marked his 19th appearance on a Hall of Fame ballot.
Mattingly received just six votes, which was two fewer than his previous showing three years ago. The decline is particularly frustrating considering Mattingly’s career numbers compare almost identically to those of Kirby Puckett, who was elected immediately. Beyond statistics, Mattingly was widely regarded as the best player in the sport for several years during the 1980s—something that many players with larger career totals cannot claim. In addition to his offensive resume, the Hitman was considered one of the greatest defensive first basemen of all time, earning nine Gold Gloves and redefining the position for a generation of young players.
The lone candidate elected from this year’s ballot was former five-time All-Star second baseman Jeff Kent, who earned 14 votes. Carlos Delgado received nine, while Dale Murphy—another beloved star long debated by fans—matched Mattingly with six.
Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Gary Sheffield and Fernando Valenzuela each received fewer than five votes. Under the Hall’s new rules announced last March, any candidate receiving fewer than five votes becomes ineligible for the next three-year cycle. If a player is later reinstated to a ballot and again fails to reach five votes, he becomes permanently barred from future consideration.
Mattingly’s next opportunity for enshrinement will come in 2028, marking his 20th appearance on a Hall of Fame ballot and giving supporters yet another chance to advocate for one of the most respected players in modern baseball history.