Royals open 2013 Hall of Fame balloting

The Kansas City Royals have announced that 2013 Royals Hall of Fame voting begins today.  The on-line portion of this year's vote will remain open to fans through Friday, March 29 at noon at www.royalshalloffame.com/vote.

The Royals Hall of Fame voting process was updated in 2011 into two phases.  The Regular Phase takes place in odd-numbered years and focuses on former players.  The Veterans Committee phase takes place in even-numbered and considers both non-field personnel and players who have previously received Royals Hall of Fame (Regular Phase) votes, but are no longer eligible for election in that manner.  To be eligible for the first time, players must have been active with the Royals for at least three (3) seasons and accumulated a minimum of 1,500 plate appearances or 150 innings pitched.  Candidates shall have ceased to be an active on-field member of the Royals (or for any other Major League organization) in the role for which they are being considered for at least three (3) calendar years preceding the election.  The 2013 vote includes four first-time eligible players and six names that return after receiving at least 10 percent of the vote in 2011.

The eligible players on the 2013 Royals Hall of Fame ballot are (in alphabetical order): Emil Brown, OF (2005-2007); Al Cowens, OF (1974-1979); Jermaine Dye, OF (1997-2001); Al Fitzmorris, RHP (1969-1976); Jimmy Gobble, LHP (2003-2008); Runelvys Hernandez, RHP (2002-2006); Bo Jackson, OF (1986-1990); Darrell Porter, C (1977-1980); Kevin Seitzer, 3B (1986-1991); and John Wathan, C/OF/1B (1976-1985).

Fans will be joined by other voters, including all living members of the Royals Hall of Fame and select members of the Royals Board of Directors, Kansas City Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America, Kansas City electronic media representatives and Royals front office staff, in selecting any Royals Hall of Fame inductees.  The online fan ballot will account for three of forty overall votes with all three assigned to the highest vote getter, two votes for second highest vote getter, and one vote for the third highest vote getter.  Any candidate receiving 75 percent of the vote will be elected and scheduled for induction during the 2013 season.  Candidates must receive a minimum of ten percent of the ballots cast to remain eligible for inclusion on the ballot for the next Royals Hall of Fame (Regular Phase) voting cycle.  

The Royals Hall of Fame was established in 1986 to celebrate the accomplishments of those players, coaches and other personnel who have made exceptional contributions to Kansas City Royals Baseball.

The first inductees were outfielder Amos Otis and pitcher Steve Busby.  They have been joined by pitcher Paul Splittorff, second baseman Cookie Rojas, Manager Dick Howser, pitcher Dennis Leonard, designated hitter Hal McRae, shortstop Fred Patek, Club President Joe Burke, pitcher Larry Gura, Royals founders Ewing and Muriel Kauffman, third baseman George Brett, second baseman Frank White, first baseman John Mayberry, pitcher Dan Quisenberry, Manager Whitey Herzog, center fielder Willie Wilson, pitcher Jeff Montgomery, broadcaster Denny Matthews, pitcher Bret Saberhagen, pitcher Mark Gubicza, scout Art Stewart, pitcher Kevin Appier and Groundskeeper George Toma.

For more information and to vote for the Royals Hall of Fame, fans may visit www.royalshalloffame.com/vote.