Ken Griffey Jr. and Former Arizona Wildcat Trevor Hoffman Amongst 15 New Players in Hall of Fame Ballot

By: Francisco Romero

Seventeen holdovers from last year and fifteen new players will appear in this year’s Baseball Hall of Fame ballot.

Ken Griffey Jr. and Trevor Hoffman are amongst those included in the ballot and could be inducted in the HOF class of 2016.

Nicknamed “Junior” and “Kid,” Griffey played 22 years in the majors for three teams (Mariners, Reds, White Sox).

Griffey was a 13-time All-Star, he hit 630 home runs in his career and ranks sixth all-time in Major League Baseball, he won 10 gold-gloves in one of the most difficult positions in baseball (center field), he was a 7-time silver slugger award winner along with many other accomplishments in his career.

Griffey was also a human highlight reel with his glove.

Former relief pitcher Trevor Hoffman played 18 years in the majors; he played for three Major League Baseball teams (Marlins, Padres and Brewers).

Hoffman played college baseball at the University of Arizona as a short stop; he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds, but changed positions after not having much success at the plate.

The move paid dividends as Hoffman finished his career as one of the top closers in the history of the sport.

Hoffman was a 7-time All-Star; he finished his career with 601 saves, second only to Mariano Rivera who holds the record with 652 saves.

Along with Griffey Jr. and Hoffman the 2016 HOF ballot includes Garret Anderson, Brad Ausmus, Luis Castillo, David Eckstein, Troy Glaus, Mark Grudzielanek, Mike Hampton, Jason Kendall, Mike Lowell, Mike Sweeney, Billy Wagner and Randy Winn.

Returning from last year’s ballot are Mike Piazza, Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines, Curt Schilling, Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Lee Smith, Edgar Martinez, Alan Trammell, Mike Mussina, Jeff Kent, Fred McGriff, Larry Walker, Gary Sheffield, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Nomar Garciaparra.