KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals have announced that 2023 Royals Hall of Fame voting begins today. The online portion of this year’s vote will remain open to fans through Tuesday, January 3rd at 11:59 p.m. CT at www.royals.com/hofvote.

The Royals Hall of Fame voting process includes two phases. The Regular Phase takes place in odd-numbered years and focuses on eligible former players and managers. The Veterans Committee phase takes place in even-numbered years and considers both non-field personnel and alumni 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, Royals Alumni must have been active with the ballclub for at least three (3) seasons and accumulated a minimum of 1,500 plate appearances or 300 innings pitched or managed the equivalent of three full seasons. Eligible alumni 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 2023 vote includes two first-time eligible Royals Alumni and four that return after receiving at least ten percent of the vote in 2021.

The eligible alumni on the 2023 Royals Hall of Fame ballot are (in alphabetical order): Carlos Beltrán, OF (1998-2004); Billy Butler, 1B/DH (2007-2014); Johnny Damon, OF (1995-2000); Jason Vargas, P (2014-2017); Yordano Ventura P (2013-2016); and Ned Yost, Manager (2010-2019).

Fans will be joined by other voters, including all living members of the Royals Hall of Fame and the members of the Royals Hall of Fame Executive Board, select members of the Kansas City Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America, Kansas City media representatives, and current Royals front office staff with 15 years of service or more, in selecting any Royals Hall of Fame inductees. The online fan ballot will account for three overall votes with a distribution of three full votes for each of the top three vote getters. Any eligible alumni receiving 75 percent of the vote will be elected and scheduled for induction during the 2023 season. Eligible alumni 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, Groundskeeper George Toma and first baseman Mike Sweeney.