Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CINCINNATI — For fans who don’t agree with the sports writers when voting for Hall of Fame members, here’s your chance to have a voice in the selection process.

The Cincinnati Reds are in the process of electing new members for 2014 and fans can go online at redsmuseum.com and vote for one of five candidates.

Unlike the writers, fans may go online and vote for one player once each day. The voting process will continue until the final day on Aug. 31.

Fan voting will be one-third of the voting block that also consists of the media and former Reds’ players. The player chosen will be announced at the conclusion of the current season.

The candidates for this season are former relief pitchers Jeff Brantley, John Franco and Danny Graves along with outfielders Ken Griffey Jr. and Reggie Sanders.

All five have impressive credentials.

Brantley — a current color analyst for the Reds — played with the team from 1994-97 and is fifth on the Reds’ all-time saves list. He was voted the team’s outstanding pitcher twice, led the National League in saves in 1996 with a team-record 44. He was named Fireman of the Year and was the closer for the 1995 Central Division championship team.

Franco (1984-89) is third on the Reds’ saves list and was a three-time All-Star, Fireman of the Year and Rolaids’ Relief Man of the Year. He was selected the Reds’ top pitcher twice, is sixth in career ERA and is one of four pitchers to lead the Reds in saves in four straight seasons.

Graves (1997-205) is the Reds’ all-time career leader in saves with 182. He is a two-time All-Star, is fifth in club history for most games pitched, like Franco led the Reds in saves for four straight years and was named the team MVP.

Sanders (1991-98) led the Reds in RBIs twice and ranks in the top 20 all-time list in home runs (125) and stolen bases (158). He was fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting and was sixth in the 1995 National League MVP voting.

Griffey (2000-08) was injured for much of his Reds’ tenure, but he was selected to three All-Star teams and was the NL Comeback Player of the Year and Reds’ MVP in 2005. He is the only player in team history to hit his 500th and 600th career home runs as a Red.

The Reds’ Hall of Fame was established in 1958 and is the largest team HOF in baseball. There are currently 81 members.