Gossage, Rice highlight 2008 Hall candidates

Jim Rice and Rich "Goose" Gossage headline the 2008 Major League Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, which was released Monday.

There are merely 25 names up for induction this year, one of the smallest ballots in history. That list has 11 newcomers, including a former batting champion in Tim Raines as well as standout closers Robb Nen and Rod Beck.

Rice and Gossage fell just short in their bid to enter the Hall last year. Gossage, who is in his ninth year on the ballot, was 21 shy of the amount required, while Rice was off by 63 votes.

Rice, the former Red Sox slugger and American League MVP in 1978, is in his 14th year on the ballot. A player must garner 75 percent of the votes to be elected.

The new group also features David Justice and Chuck Knoblauch, both of whom went on to multiple postseason appearances. Former pitcher and World Series MVP Jose Rijo, Brady Anderson, Todd Stottlemyre, Chuck Finley, Shawon Dunston and Travis Fryman are also up for the honor for the first time.

Once on the list, candidates must be named on at least five percent of ballots to remain eligible for up to 15 years.

Jose Canseco, Ken Caminiti and Bret Saberhagen were three key names that were left off after one year's consideration.

1987 NL MVP winner Andre Dawson is up for induction once again after receiving 56.7 percent of the votes last year. Two-time MVP Dale Murphy, Yankee favorite Don Mattingly and Pirates slugger Dave Parker, meanwhile, are trying to elevate their vote total from a relatively low percentage.

Tommy John, famous in part for the surgery named after him, is on the ballot for the 14th time. The 288-game winner garnered 22.9 percent of the votes as part of last year's class.

Mark McGwire fell short with 128 votes in his initial bid but remains eligible. Other holdovers include Bert Blyleven, Jack Morris, Lee Smith and Alan Trammell.

Results from the voting for this class will be announced on January 8.