Longtime Oriole Nick Markakis on Hall of Fame ballot

Nick Markakis is one of 12 first-time candidates on the Hall of Fame ballot that was released on Monday. The longtime Orioles rightfielder joins pitchers Gio González, Cole Hamels and Rick Porcello, infielders Howie Kendrick, Daniel Murphy, and outfielders Ryan Braun, Shin-Soo Choo, Edwin Encarnacion, Matt Kemp and Hunter Pence for consideration.

Markakis might not get many votes, but he had an underappreciated career, both with the Orioles from 2006-2014 and Atlanta from 2015-2020.

He won three Gold Gloves in 2011 and 2014 with the Orioles and in 2018 with the Braves, the year he earned his only All-Star Game invitation and won the Silver Slugger.

Markakis had 2,388 hits, more than Hall of Famers Ryne Sandberg, Alan Trammell, Carlton Fisk, Barry Larkin, Kirby Puckett Harmon Killebrew, Jim Thome, Mike Schmidt and Yogi Berra—among others.

His 1,547 hits with the Orioles is seventh on the team’s all-time list.

He was incredibly durable. From 2007-2011, he missed only 11 games, and from 2013-2018, just 21.

Other than hits, his counting numbers didn’t stand out. He hit 189 home runs, exceeding 20 only twice, early in his career. Markakis drove in more than 100 runs in 2007 and 2009.

Playing right next to centerfielder Adam Jones with the Orioles, Markakis stood out for his steadiness and his professionalism.

It was no coincidence that in the last three seasons Markakis was with the Orioles, 2012-2014, Jones missed just three games.

Manager Buck Showalter could write Jones and Markakis in the lineup each day and be certain the Orioles would see players who ignored little injuries and perform at their best.

Markakis retired after the truncated 60-game season of 2020, and while this could be the only season he’s considered for the Hall of Fame, his wonderful work should be appreciated.

In order for a player to remain on the ballot, he must receive 5 percent of the vote. With so few big names among the 12 newcomers up for consideration, it’s possible that Markakis gets enough for a second year.

Seventy-five percent is needed for election.

There are 15 holdover candidates. Carlos Beltran (70.3 percent) and Andruw Jones (66.2 percent) have the best chance of being elected.

Chase Utley (39.8), Alex Rodriguez (37.1), Manny Ramirez (34.3), Andy Pettitte (27.9), Félix Hernandez (20.6), Bobby Abreu (19.5), Jimmy Rollins (18.0), Omar Vizquel (17.8), Dustin Pedroia (11.9), Mark Buehrle (11.4), Francisco Rodriguez (10.2), David Wright (8.1) and Torii Hunter (5.1) are the others.

Ramirez is in his 10^th and final year of eligibility.

Since starting pitcher Mike Mussina was elected to the Hall in 2019, no player who played a substantial portion of his career with the Orioles has received that 5 percent needed for a second look.

Second baseman Brian Roberts (2020) and shortstop J.J. Hardy (2023) didn’t receive a single vote. Three voters included Jones on their ballots in 2025, just .8 percent of the vote.

Two prominent former Orioles, first baseman Chris Davis and catcher Matt Wieters, were also up for consideration by the screening committee, but they didn’t make the ballot. Wieters apparently came closer. Only Jason Kipnis had a higher WAR (Wins Above Replacement) among position players who weren’t included.

Relief pitcher Zack Britton, who’s eligible two years from now, is the next Oriole who has a chance to make the ballot.

Note: According to @Francysromero, the Orioles signed right-handed pitcher Jeisson Cabrera to a minor league contract. Cabrera, 27, was 3-1 with a 3.72 ERA and two saves for Double-A Tulsa in 38 games last season.

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