PHILADELPHIA – Each winter, fans are given the opportunity to vote online for their favorite former Phillie to be inducted into the Wall of Fame during the upcoming season.
Last year, 2008 World Series Champion Pat Burrell was voted in by fans in a ballot that included: manager Jim Fregosi; pitchers Larry Christenson, Gene Garber, Jim Konstanty, Ron Reed and Rick Wise; outfielder Tony Gonzalez; first baseman Fred Luderus; third baseman Pinky Whitney, and catcher/coaches "Irish Mike" Ryan and Jimmy Wilson.
While this year's ballot is still being finalized, it is believed that former Phillies southpaw Jamie Moyer and third baseman Scott Rolen are among the candidates that will have the chance to become the 38th inductee onto the wall, according to NJ.com.
Moyer, who like Rolen would be a first-time member of the ballot, could become the third consecutive 2008 World Series champion to be added to the wall by joining Burrell and manager Charlie Manuel (2014).
The following are the eligibility requirements to be added to the Wall of Fame:
Players with five or more years of service are eligible. Managers and coaches need four or more years of service. All candidates must be retired for three years before they can be eligible for the 12-man ballot. In addition to a player's statistical record, consideration is given to longevity, ability, contributions to the Phillies and baseball, character, plus special achievements.
It appears Moyer may be getting a break in his eligibility. While he did don red pinstripes in five different seasons from 2006 to 2010, he was not dealt to the Phillies until August 19, 2006. His debut came on August 22, which took place when the team had just 38 games left to play in the season.
Moyer is not the first to receive special exceptions in eligibility, however. Manuel, for example, was enshrined just one year after parting ways with the organization. Harry Kalas' 2009 induction broke the tradition of electing either a player or coach, however team president David Montgomery said Kalas "deserved to be remembered along with some of the greatest names in the team's history."
The Phillies would be the second team to honor Moyer and his 25-year career. On August 8, the Sellersville, Pennsylvania native was inducted into the Seattle Mariners' Hall of Fame.
The Wall of Fame, which is recognized as the Phillies' own version of a "hall of fame," is displayed out in Ashburn Alley at Citizens Bank Park, the home of the team since 2004.
The 2016 Wall of Fame ballot will be online "around Feb. 23," according to Phillies executive Larry Shenk in discussion with NJ.com.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
