Three former Cubs managers join Hall of Fame voting
Joe Maddon, Dusty Baker, and Lou Piniella are among eight finalists for the 2027 Class, with the 16-member panel voting on December 6.
By Julia Novak ·
The Baseball Hall of Fame Contemporary Era Committee released its finalist list on Monday, marking the tenth anniversary of the Chicago Cubs winning the 2016 World Series. The panel selected eight individuals from a larger pool of nominees to move forward in the selection process. Three of those finalists managed the Cubs during their tenure in the National League.
Joe Maddon, who guided the team to its first championship in 108 years, is one of the three finalists. He began his managerial career with the Tampa Bay Rays, leading them to their first World Series appearance in 2008. Maddon signed with the Cubs before the 2015 season and accumulated 471 victories over five seasons. His tenure included three consecutive National League Championship Series appearances.
Dusty Baker, who ranks eighth all-time in managerial wins, is also on the ballot. He spent most of his career with the San Francisco Giants, where he recorded 840 wins and reached the 2002 World Series. Baker joined the Cubs for the 2003 season, helping the team defeat the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series. That win marked the club's first playoff series victory in 95 years. He finished his Cubs stint with 322 wins and later won a World Series title with the Houston Astros in 2022.
Lou Piniella, the third former Cubs skipper on the list, won the 1990 World Series with the Cincinnati Reds. He is best known for his time with the Seattle Mariners, including a 116-win season in 2001. Piniella managed the Cubs from 2007 to 2010, guiding them to division titles in 2007 and 2008. He was the first Cubs manager since Frank Chance to lead the team to back-to-back playoff berths. He left the team late in the 2010 season after winning 316 games.
The other five finalists include Bruce Bochy, Brian Sabean, Sandy Alderson, Ted Turner, and Bill White. Bochy has 2,252 career wins and four World Series rings, three of which he earned with the Giants. Sabean served as the general manager for the Giants during those championship years. Alderson is a former Athletics general manager, Turner was the former owner of the Atlanta Braves, and White is a former Major League player, Yankees broadcaster, and current National League President.
The 16-member voting panel consists of Hall of Fame players, MLB executives, media members, and historians. A candidate must receive at least 75% of the votes to be elected. The committee will announce the results of the 2027 Class on December 6.
