Around the Horn
The Modern Player candidates for 2026 are:
• Homer Bailey, P (2007-2018)
• Francisco Cordero, P (2008-2011)
• Zack Cozart, SS (2011-2017)
• Aaron Harang, P (2003-2010)
• Mike Leake, P (2010-2015)
• Brandon Phillips, 2B (2006-2016)
• Scott Rolen, 3B (2009-2012)
• Edinson Volquez, P (2008-2011)
Winners of the Modern Player Ballot and Veterans Ballot will be announced in December 2025.
Voting now open at RedsMuseum.org.
The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum presented by Dinsmore has announced the eight former Reds players appearing on the 2026 Modern Player Ballot.
Only two Modern Players will be selected for induction as part of the Reds Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. The votes from the fans will be combined with ballots from select members of the media and Reds alumni to determine the inductee.
The eight players were nominated by the Hall of Fame’s Election Governance Committee.
“Once again, fans will have the chance to help select the next Hall of Fame inductee,” said Rick Walls, executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum. “We look forward to celebrating the winning candidates in April of next year during induction ceremonies at Great American Ball Park and at the Induction Gala.”
Fans may cast ballots online through Nov. 27. There is a limit of one ballot per person/email address per day.
The 2026 Induction Weekend Celebration presented by PNC will take place April 24–26.
A player becomes eligible for Induction through the Modern Player Ballot when:
They have appeared in at least three seasons with the Reds
Five years have passed since the year of their final Major League season
No more than 15 years have passed since the year of their final Major League season
In addition to the Modern Player Ballot, the Reds Hall of Fame Veterans Committee will consider candidates for induction whose playing careers ended more than 15 years ago, as well as managers and executives. Together, the Modern Player Ballot and Veterans Ballot results will comprise the Reds Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2026.
2026 Reds Hall of Fame Modern Player Ballot
Homer Bailey, starting pitcher (2007-2018)
Reds 1st-round draft pick (7th overall), 2004
Pitched no-hitters in 2012 & 2013 — 3rd Reds pitcher with multiple no-hitters
1,001 career strikeouts (12th in Reds history); led team with 199 Ks in 2013
Double-digit wins in 2012 (13) and 2013 (11); led NL in starts (33) in 2012
Lifetime record 67-77; ranks 36th in Reds wins
Member of the 2010 & 2012 Central Division champion Reds and the 2013 Wild Card Reds
Set a then-Reds postseason record with 10 strikeouts in Game 3 of the 2012 NLDS
Francisco Cordero, relief pitcher (2008-2011)
2nd in Reds history with 150 career saves; led team in saves all 4 seasons
2009 NL All-Star; 39 saves (2nd in NL) that year; top 10 in the NL in each of his 4 seasons with the Reds
Saved 40 games for 2010 Central Division champions
Recorded 300th career save in 2011 — 1 of 22 pitchers in MLB history at the time
Finished career with 329 total saves, currently 18th-most in MLB history
Zack Cozart, shortstop (2011-2017)
2017 NL All-Star; in 2012, set modern Reds rookie SS home run record (15)
Career highs in 2017 season: .297 AVG, .385 OBP, .548 SLG, 24 HRs, 63 RBIs (tied), 80 runs
Rawlings Gold Glove finalist (2014); top 5 NL fielding percentage finishes 3 times and putouts 4 times
Starting SS for the 2012 Central Division champion Reds and the 2013 Wild Card Reds
Aaron Harang, starting pitcher (2003-2010)
1,125 career Reds strikeouts (7th in Reds history); 75 wins (T-30th)
Led Reds in strikeouts each season from 2004-2007 and in 2009, and in victories each season from 2005-2007
In 2006, led NL in complete games (6) and strikeouts (216); tied for league lead in starts (35), and wins (16)
Finished 4th in 2007 NL Cy Young Award voting
2-time winner of the Johnny Vander Meer Award as Reds Outstanding Pitcher
Opening Day starter, 2006-2010; member of the 2010 Central Division champion Reds
Mike Leake, starting pitcher (2010-2015)
Reds 1st-round pick (8th overall), June 2009
Made MLB debut in 2010 without minor league experience
3 double-digit win seasons as a Red; career-high 14 wins in 2013
Led team in ERA (3.86) in 2011
Tied for 38th on the club’s all-time list with 62 Reds victories; lifetime winning percentage of .569 is 33rd best in franchise history
Played on the 2010 & 2012 Central Division champion Reds and the 2013 Wild Card Reds
Brandon Phillips, second baseman (2006-2016)
Reds modern-era (post-1900) record holder among 2B: hits (1,774), doubles (311), HRs (191), RBIs (851)
3-time NL All-Star, 4-time Rawlings Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger winner
3-time Reds MVP (Ernie Lombardi Award)
Led NL second basemen in fielding percentage 3 times, assists 3 times and putouts twice
Ranks top 10 all-time in Reds history in games (1,614), runs (877), hits (1,774), doubles (311); Ranks 12th on Reds all-time in HRs (191), 11th in RBIs (851), and 15th in steals (194)
30 HR/30 SB season in 2007; key contributor on the 2010 & 2012 Central Division champion Reds and 2013 Wild Card Reds
Scott Rolen, third baseman (2009-2012)
2-time NL All-Star; first Reds 3B to win a Rawlings Gold Glove
Joe Nuxhall Good Guy Award winner in 2010
Finished 14th in NL MVP voting in 2010
Key leader and starting 3B for the 2010 & 2012 Central Division champion Reds (97 wins in 2012)
Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame (Cardinals, 2023)
Edinson Volquez, starting pitcher (2008-2011)
2008 NL All-Star; ranked among NL leaders in wins (17, 3rd), strikeouts (206, 2nd), W-L pct. (.739, 3rd), and ERA (3.21, 8th)
Johnny Vander Meer Award winner in 2008; team leader in wins, strikeouts, and ERA
Finished 4th in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2008
Opening Day starter, 2011
Lifetime record 30-18 (.625), 4.17 ERA, and 424 Ks in 417 IP as a Red
Member of the 2010 Central Division champion Reds
Driven by a mission to celebrate greatness, preserve history and provide inspiration, the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum at Great American Ball Park is the place where the story of Reds baseball comes alive each day. The Museum features 16,000 square feet of historical, interactive and educational exhibits, highlighting the rich and storied tradition of the Reds for fans of all ages. Since 1958, when the Hall was established, 93 individuals have been honored with induction. T