Who could be on the Phillies Wall of Fame ballot?

The Philadelphia Phillies announced earlier this week that they will retire Roy Halladay’s No. 34 on the 10-year anniversary of his perfect game in Miami. But who will join him on the Wall of Fame in August? We may begin to get an idea soon.

The Wall of Fame ballot is typically announced during February. Last year’s ballot consisted of Bobby Abreu, Steve Bedrosian, Rich Dubee, Jim Fregosi, Gene Garber, Doug Glanville, Bake McBride, Plácido Polanco, Scott Rolen and Manny Trillo. Abreu was ultimately elected and was inducted at Citizens Bank Park on Aug. 3.

Any player, coach or manager that was with the Phillies for four seasons and has been retired for three is eligible for the Wall of Fame. From there, 10 candidates are generally placed on the ballot for voting.

Although many from the 2008 World Series championship team are still not eligible, there is one big name that could potentially be on the ballot. First baseman Ryan Howard last appeared in the majors in 2016 which would meet the three-year requirement. However, he did not technically retire until 2017, following a failed comeback in the minor leagues. Depending on how the Phillies rule on this, Howard, the 2005 National League Rookie of the Year and 2006 National League MVP, could have a strong case in his first year on the ballot.

The Phillies may also decide to honor the late David Montgomery, who passed away last May. Montgomery starting working for the team in 1971, eventually becoming president in 1997. His battle with cancer led him to step down as president and become a chairman in 2015. Montgomery was one of the most respected executives in sports. He was an integral part of the construction of Citizens Bank Park and assembling the organization for its run of five straight division titles from 2007-2011.

Inducting Montgomery would not be completely without precedent. The Wall of Fame has had an executive inducted in the past. Former general manager Pat Gillick was inducted in 2018 along with Roy Halladay. It is quite possible that Montgomery could be inducted with a player, coach or manager, and that he would not even be included on the ballot.

A potential 2020 Wall of Fame ballot could look something like this:

• Steve Bedrosian
• Rich Dubee
• Jim Fregosi
• Gene Garber
• Ryan Howard
• David Montgomery
• Bake McBride
• Plácido Polanco
• Scott Rolen
• Manny Trillo

Montgomery would likely be the favorite to be elected if he is included on the Wall of Fame ballot. If the team decides to induct Montgomery as well as another player, this could be the year Rolen gets in. Despite leaving the organization on bad terms, the 1997 National League Rookie of the Year was excellent during his time in Philadelphia. With the times of turmoil now being long in the past, it now seems that the question is when Rolen will be inducted, rather than if he will.

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