Earlier, this week, the Hall of Fame announced 10 finalists for consideration in the “Today’s Game” era. Seven of the 10 have played for the Orioles, and one, Davey Johnson, played and managed the team.

Harold Baines, Albert Belle, Joe Carter, Will Clark, Lou Piniella and Lee Smith are the others who’ve played for the Orioles.

Orel Hershiser, Charlie Manuel and George Steinbrenner are the non-Oriole candidates.

Smith, who played only for the Orioles in the strike-shortened 1994 season, seems to have the best chance to gain election. For enshrinement, support of 12 of the 16 Veterans committee members is needed.

In his 15 years on the Baseball Writers of America Association ballot, Smith attracted 50.6 percent of the vote in 2012. Seventy-five percent is needed for election.

Johnson and Piniella are up for consideration as managers and Steinbrenner is the only owner on the ballot.

Besides Smith, who had 478 career saves, Piniella, who’s 16^th on the all-time managers win list and Steinbrenner seem to have the best chance.

This isn’t the BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot, which we’ll talk about in further detail when it’s released in a few weeks.

This Week’s Diner Question:  Which candidates for the Hall of Fame among these 10 would you vote for?

Make sure to look for a special letter to Orioles fans from Buck Showalter on BaltimoreBaseball.com on Friday.