NEW YORK — Former Rockies first baseman Andres Galarraga and outfielder Ellis Burks are among 15 first-time candidates on this year’s Hall of Fame ballot, joining holdovers Mark McGwire, Andre Dawson and Bert Blyleven.
Roberto Alomar, Edgar Martinez, Barry Larkin and Fred McGriff also are new to the ballot this year. There are 26 candidates, three more than last year when Rickey Henderson was elected in his initial appearance and Jim Rice made it on his 15th and final try. Dawson fell 44 votes shy of the 75 percent needed and Blyleven was 67 short.
Also on the ballot for the first time are Kevin Appier, Pat Hentgen, Mike Jackson, Eric Karros, Ray Lankford, Shane Reynolds, David Segui, Robin Ventura and Todd Zeile.
Other holdovers on the list announced Friday include Harold Baines, Don Mattingly, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, Dave Parker, Tim Raines, Lee Smith and Alan Trammell.
Voting results will be announced Jan. 6.
Davydenko advances, Djokovic out
LONDON — Nikolay Davydenko grabbed the last semifinal spot at the ATP World Tour Finals by beating Robin Soderling 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-3, knocking defending champion Novak Djokovic out of the tournament. Davydenko, Djokovic and Soderling all finished with two wins in the round-robin phase, but the third-ranked Serb was eliminated on sets. Soderling had already secured advancement and finished at the top of Group B.
Davydenko will face top-ranked Roger Federer in today’s first semifinal match. Soderling, who entered the tournament as an alternate after Andy Roddick pulled out because of injury, will take on U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro later in the day in a matchup of big hitters.
Oilers’ Hemsky out for season
EDMONTON, Alberta — Edmonton Oilers right wing Ales Hemsky, who has seven goals and 15 assists, will miss the rest of the season because of a shoulder injury.
• The Minnesota Wild placed right wing Martin Havlat (hamstring) and defenseman Brent Burns (concussion) on injured reserve.
• Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic will be sidelined up to four weeks with a sprained left ankle.
Footnotes.
Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy held onto Ireland’s three-stroke lead over Sweden in the World Cup of Golf, shooting a 4-under-par 68 in the second round for an 18-under 126 total in Shenzhen, China. The U.S. duo of Nick Watney and John Merrick was tied for 20th at 5-under.
• Golden State Warriors coach Don Nelson will miss three more games while recovering from a bout with pneumonia. Nelson is expected to return after the Warriors’ game Tuesday in Denver.
• Detroit Lions rookie tight end Brandon Pettigrew will have season-ending surgery after suffering a left knee injury in Thursday’s 34-12 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
• Graham Gano kicked a 33-yard field goal in overtime to give the Las Vegas Locomotives a 20-17 victory over the Florida Tuskers in the inaugural UFL championship game in Las Vegas.
Denver Post wire services
