Gillick among Hall of Fame nominees

Former Phillies general manager Pat Gillick is among 12 nominees on the Baseball Hall of Fame's Expansion Era ballot for the Committee to Consider Managers, Umpires, Executives and Long-Retired Players.

The nominees will be reviewed by a 16-member group at the baeball winter meetings next month in Orlando. A candidate must receive votes on at least 12 ofthe 16 ballots to be elected to the Hall of Fame.

Gillick spent 27 years as the general manager for the Blue Jays, Orioles, Mariners and Phillies, winning at every stop along the way, with his teams earning nine postseason berths and three World Series championships. In his 27 years as GM, his teams finished with a winning record 20 times.

The 12 individuals who will be considered are: former players Vida Blue, Dave Concepcion, Steve Garvey, Ron Guidry, Tommy John, Al Oliver, Ted Simmons and Rusty Staub; former manager Billy Martin; and executives Pat Gillick, Marvin Miller and George Steinbrenner.

The 16-member electorate features: Hall of Fame members Johnny Bench, Whitey Herzog, Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer, Tony Perez, Frank Robinson, Ryne Sandberg and Ozzie Smith; major league executives Bill Giles (Phillies), David Glass (Royals), Andy MacPhail (Orioles) and Jerry Reinsdorf (White Sox); and veteran media members Bob Elliott (Toronto Sun), Tim Kurkjian (ESPN), Ross Newhan (retired, Los Angeles Times) and Tom Verducci (Sports Illustrated).

According to a press release, the Expansion Era ballot considers candidates among managers, umpires, executives and long-retired players whose most significant career impact was realized during the 1973-present time frame. Eligible candidates include: Players who played in at least 10 major league seasons, who are not on Major League Baseball's ineligible list, and have been retired for 21 or more seasons (those whose last major league season was no later than 1989); Managers and Umpires with 10 or more years in baseball and retired for at least five years, with any candidates who are 65 years or older first-eligible six months from the date of the election following retirement; and Executives who have been retired for at least five years, with any active executives 65 or older eligible for consideration.