Legion Baseball alumni on Hall of Fame ballot

Six former American Legion Baseball players are on the ballot for the 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame, with results in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America being announced Jan. 25. The Class of 2022 will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., on July 24.

Here’s a look at the American Legion Baseball alumni on the Hall of Fame ballot:

Barry Bonds (10th year on ballot)

The all-time home run leader is in his final year on the ballot. Barry Bonds, who played American Legion Baseball in San Mateo, Calif., hit 762 home runs in 22 seasons with the Pirates and Giants. Bonds is also the career leader in walks (2,558) and intentional walks (688). He’s also a seven-time National League MVP, 14-time All-Star, eight-time Gold Glove Award winner and 12-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

Roger Clemens (10th year on ballot)

After helping his Springs Wood High School American Legion Baseball team win the 1979 Ohio state title, Roger Clemens pitched 24 major-league seasons with the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Yankees and Astros. He won a record seven Cy Young Awards and was the 1986 American League MVP and an 11-time All-Star. Clemens is third all-time in strikeouts (4,672), seventh in starts (707) and ninth in wins (354). He is also in his final year on the BBWAA ballot.

Jeff Kent (9th year on ballot)

Jeff Kent played American Legion Baseball in Bellflower, Calif., before playing 17 seasons with the Blue Jays, Mets, Indians, Giants, Astros and Dodgers. The 2000 National League MVP had eight seasons with at least 20 home runs and 100 RBI, the most all-time by a second baseman. Kent was also a five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

Scott Rolen (5th year on ballot)

An alumnus of the American Legion Baseball program in Jasper, Ind., Scott Rolen played 17 seasons with the Phillies, Cardinals, Blue Jays and Reds. The 1997 National League Rookie of the Year, Rolen was a seven-time All-Star, eight-time Gold Glove Award winner, and one-time Silver Slugger Award winner at third base.

Gary Sheffield (8th year on ballot)

After playing American Legion Baseball for Post 248 in Tampa, Fla., Gary Sheffield went on to play 22 seasons for the Brewers, Padres, Marlins, Dodgers, Braves, Yankees, Tigers and Mets. Sheffield was a nine-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and finished in the Top 10 of MVP voting six times.

Mark Teixeira (1st year on ballot)

Mark Teixeira played American Legion Baseball in Severna Park, Md.; his team reached the 1997 American Legion World Series in Rapid City, S.D. He would go on to play 14 seasons in the majors, with the Rangers, Braves, Angels and Yankees, with whom he won the World Series in 2009. Teixeira was a three-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove Award winner, and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner at first base. He also led the league in total bases twice, games played twice, runs scored once, home runs once, RBI once and sacrifice flies once.