Former Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Orel Hershiser did not receive sufficient votes for election into the Hall of Fame via the Today’s Game ballot. Former MLB commissioner Bud Selig and John Schuerholz were the only two members elected.
Candidates needed to receive 12 votes for enshrinement. Selig and Schuerholz will be inducted into Cooperstown on July 30, joining those who are elected by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America on Jan. 18.
The Today’s Game Era committee is comprised of 16 members and votes on different eras of candidates who are no longer eligible for election.
In order to be considered, former players need at least 10 seasons of experience and must be 15 years removed from the game. Manager, executives and umpires require 10 years of experience to be considered.
Hershiser finished short of the required 75 percent for induction in 2006 when he received 11.2 percent of the vote. That dropped to just 4.4 percent in his second opportunity to be enshrined, and Hershiser fell off of future ballots.
The right-hander spent parts of 18 seasons in the Majors, 13 of which were with the Dodgers. The three-time All-Star was named the 1988 Cy Young Award winner and also won the MVP award in the 1988 National League Championship Series and 1988 World Series.
As a member of the Cleveland Indians, Hershiser was named MVP of the 1995 American League Championship Series. Hershiser’s tremendous career is highlighted by his record-setting 59-inning scoreless streak.
In 510 career games (466 starts), Hershiser, affectionately nicknamed ‘Bulldog’ by former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, went 204-150 with a 3.48 ERA, 3.69 FIP and 1.26 WHIP. Hershiser was 135-107 with a 3.12 ERA over his career with the Dodgers.
