2021 KC Royals Hall of Fame ballots are out, but who should go In?
By Travis Neely
There are really only four former KC Royals who have a legitimate shot to be voted into the RHOF.
Someone like Yordano Ventura didn’t play long enough to justify him being inducted. Paul Splittorff and Dennis Leonard are the only players in the RHOF who didn’t represent the franchise as All-Stars. When considering that the majority of those in the RHOF have been to an All-Star Game, it really only leaves two players on the ballot to consider: Carlos Beltran and Billy Butler.
Beltran never officially played as a Royal in the All-Star Game but was scheduled to do so before his trade by Allard Baird in 2004, so technically he didn’t. His numbers without a doubt should place him into the RHOF.
But it’s the scandal that will drive some voters from voting for him. He will receive a significant amount of votes but probably won’t reach the required 75%. Anticipate it to be closer to the 60% range.
Billy Butler, on the other hand, met the majority of the benchmarks to be inducted, including that memorable All-Star Game plate appearance at the K in 2012. No, he wasn’t on the World Series team in 2015 (though he was in 2014), but he was a significant part of the rebuild and resurgence of the popularity of baseball in Kansas City.
If anyone has a legit chance to make it into the KC Royals Hall of Fame, it will be Country Breakfast.
If Butler is to get in, it will need to be on this ballot. In the upcoming years, the ballot will start to have names like Alex Gordon, who will be shoo-in first-time ballot RHOF in 2025. Ned Yost will also appear on the next ballot in 2023, it can be assumed he will also be inducted on his first attempt, as he took this team to two World Series and spent nearly all of the 2010s as the Royals manager.
Next. 20 Best Royals During the Dark Years. dark
If anyone gets in on this ballot, it will be Big Country Breakfast. His numbers and contribution are worthy to be in the RHOF.
Voting is now open for fans in now open at https://www.mlb.com/royals/hall-of-fame/vote. Every Royals fan needs to have their voice heard.