Hall of Fame Voting to Be Announced

NEW YORK — Results of the latest baseball Hall of Fame voting by the Baseball Writers’ Assn. of America will be announced today at 3 p.m. PST.

Last January, for the first time since 1971, the writers did not select a single player for enshrinement. Phil Niekro, Tony Perez and Don Sutton came the closest. They’re on the ballot again, as are eight first-timers, including Dave Parker and Dwight Evans.

It used to be that certain numbers--500 home runs, 3,000 hits, 300 wins--were considered enough for automatic enshrinement in Cooperstown. But that’s no longer the case.

Of the 470 votes cast last January, 75% (353) were needed for election. Niekro got 321, Perez got 309 and Sutton 300.

Niekro, on the ballot for the fifth time this year, was 318-274 with a 3.35 earned-run average. He is eighth with 3,342 strikeouts and pitched 24 seasons, mostly with the Atlanta Braves.

Sutton was 324-256 with a 3.26 ERA, and is tied for 12th on the victory list. His 3,574 strikeouts put him fifth on the lifetime list. He pitched 23 seasons.

Pete Rose, whose 4,256 hits are the most in history, remains ineligible.

Joe Torre and Dick Allen are on the ballot for the 15th and final time this year.