Greg Maddux, Sammy Sosa, Lee Smith on 2014 MLB Hall of Fame ballot

Former Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves ace Greg Maddux is among the 19 new candidates on the 2014 Hall of Fame ballot.

Mar 15, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; United States pitching coach Greg Maddux (31) during the World Baseball Classic against Puerto Rico at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Moises Alou, Armando Benitez, Ray Durham, Eric Gagne, Tom Glavine, Luis Gonzalez, Jacque Jones, Todd Jones, Jeff Kent, Paul Lo Duca, Mike Mussina, Hideo Nomo, Kenny Rodgers, J.T. Snow, Frank Thomas, and Mike Timlin round out the list of first-timers on the ballot.

Pitchers Tom Glavine and Eric Gagne, first baseman-designated hitter Frank Thomas and second baseman Jeff Kent join 17 holdovers from the 2013 balloting that failed to produce a winning candidate for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., for the first time since 1996.

Former Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa makes his second appearance on the ballot. Last year, Sosa received 12.5 percent of the vote (75 percent is required for induction).

Players must be named on 75 percent of the ballots cast to earn election. Other players named on more than half the ballots were pitcher Jack Morris (67.7 percent), first baseman Jeff Bagwell (59.6), catcher Mike Piazza (57.8) and outfielder Tim Raines (52.2). Players may remain on the ballot for up to 15 years provided they receive five percent of the vote in any year. This is the 15th and final year of eligibility for Morris.

Returning to the ballot are first basemen Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro; outfielders Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Larry Walker; pitchers Roger Clemens, Curt Schilling and Lee Smith (Cubs); shortstop Alan Trammell and third baseman-designated hitter Edgar Martinez.

Voting will be conducted by the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). Results will be announced at 1 p.m. CT, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014 on MLB Network.

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