Mariners great Ken Griffey Jr. hits the HOF ballot

Piazza polled 69.9 percent of the electorate in 2015 and fell 28 votes shy of the required amount for election. He finished with 630 career home runs, which ranks sixth all-time. Candidates can only remain on the ballot for 10 years, although they are subsequently eligible for consideration by the Veterans Committee.

McGwire, the longtime A’s first baseman and the first man to reach 70 homers in a season while with the Cardinals, and Trammell, who hit.

Griffey projects as the first player to enter the Hall in recognition primarily for his achievements while playing for the Mariners. The only other players to be named on more than half the 2015 ballots were first baseman Jeff Bagwell (55.7) and outfielder Tim Raines (55.0). Despite a number of injuries in his career, Griffey was an elite center fielder, racking up ten consecutive Gold Gloves.

Hoffman was one of the MLB’s best relievers throughout his career, accumulating 601 career saves that place him as second all-time just behind Mariano Rivera.

He also recorded 53 saves in 54 opportunities for the 1998 National League champion Padres that ultimately came up short in the World Series against the New York Yankees. 310 with 15 home runs and 84 RBIs, with a major-league-leading 45 doubles, in 137 games. Campanella ultimately was elected in 1969, having appeared on 79.4 percent of the ballots that Amazin’ year. He had 2,781 hits in a 22-year career. Castillo is most likely remembered for dropping a pop up in the ninth inning of a Subway Series game in 2009, allowing the tying and winning runs to score. Votes are counted jointly by BBWAA secretary-treasurer Jack O’Connell and Ernst & Young partner Michael DiLecce.

The voters must submit their ballots by December 21, and the votes will be tallied and then announced by Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson on January 6, 2016.

The holdovers from last season include: Barry Bonds, Curt Schilling, Roger Clemens, Nomar Garciaparra, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Jeff Bagwell, Jeff Kent, Edgar Martinez, Fred McGriff, Mike Piazza, Tim Raines, Gary Sheffield, Lee Smith, Alan Trammell and Larry Walker.