Tampa native falls short of MLB Hall of Fame

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — In his tenth and final year of eligibility, Tampa native Gary Sheffield fell short of being elected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

To be elected to the Hall of Fame, a player must receive at least 289 votes, or 75% of votes, from members of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Sheffield received 246 votes this year, leaving him 43 votes shy of being elected to the Hall of Fame.

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Sheffield, who was born and raised in Tampa’s Belmont Heights region, tallied 509 career home runs, 1676 runs batted in, and a career average of .292% 509 career home runs and 1676 runs batted in over a 21-year MLB career.

Speaking to the Tampa Bay Times, Sheffield said there is nothing more he can do.

“I did what I could do on the baseball field. It is not like I can go back and do anymore or hit any more home runs. So, the thing is, is that what I left out there for 22 years is more than enough,” Sheffield said.

Sheffield Hall of Fame status will be reevaluated by MLB’s Contemporary Era Committee, which meets every three years and is slated to meet again in Dec. 2025.

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