NEW YORK – Former University of South Carolina Aiken baseball standout Roberto Hernandez is one of 24 first-time candidates on the 2013 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot released Wednesday.
Hernandez is the first former Pacer to be included on the Hall of Fame ballot.
Also on the ballot for the first time are outfielders Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Kenny Lofton, Shawn Green, Steve Finley, Reggie Sanders and Rondell White; pitchers Roger Clemens, Curt Schilling, David Wells, Aaron Sele and Woody Williams; relievers Jose Mesa and Mike Stanton; catchers Mike Piazza and Sandy Alomar Jr.; infielders Julio Franco, Royce Clayton, Todd Walker and Jeff Cirillo; outfielders/first baseman Jeff Conine and Ryan Klesko; and utilityman Craig Biggio
The 24 first-time candidates join a group of 13 holdovers that include first basemen Mark McGwire, Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Rafael Palmiero and Jeff Bagwell; outfielders Dale Murphy, Tim Raines, Larry Walker and Bernie Williams; shortstop Alan Trammell; third baseman/designated hitter Edgar Martinez; and pitchers Jack Morris and Lee Smith.
Hernandez is the most successful athlete USC Aiken has ever produced.
A 17-year veteran of Major League Baseball, Hernandez transferred to USC Aiken from UConn in 1986. Current Athletic Director, and then baseball coach, Randy Warrick, transformed him from a catcher to a pitcher and the rest is history.
In his one season as a Pacer, Hernandez posted a 10-2 record with 97 strikeouts in 94.0 innings. At the plate, he belted 19 home runs and led USC Aiken to its only appearance in the NAIA World Series. He was drafted with the 16th pick in the first round of the 1986 MLB Draft by the California Angels. Hernandez ranks 13th in Major League Baseball history with 326 saves. The two-time MLB All-Star had his Pacer jersey number 35 retired in 2001.
The Pacer baseball team plays in Roberto Hernandez Stadium.
Candidates must be named on 75 percent of the ballots cast by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America with 10 or more consecutive years' experience to gain entry into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Results from the balloting will be announced January 9, 2013.
**Fox News contributed to this report**
