McDowell native Greg Holland on Royals Hall of Fame ballot

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Kansas City Royals pitcher Greg Holland throws during spring training baseball practice Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Photo: Associated Press/(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Former Kansas City Royals pitcher Greg Holland, a McDowell High School graduate, is on the ballot for the 2026 class of the Royals Hall of Fame. Fans can participate in the public voting.

Holland, a 2004 McDowell High graduate who played college baseball at Western Carolina University, was drafted by the Royals in 2008. He was a three-time All-Star, the inaugural winner of the Mariano Rivera Award in 2014, and a key member of the Royals’ 2014 and 2015 teams that reached the World Series, with the 2015 squad winning the championship.

The 2026 ballot also includes nine candidates: Carlos Beltrán, Billy Butler, Lorenzo Cain, Wade Davis, Alcides Escobar, Kelvin Herrera, Greg Holland, Joakim Soria and Yordano Ventura. All but Beltrán and Soria were part of at least one of the Royals’ pennant-winning teams in 2014 and 2015.

“And we still don’t have something to honor this man and his achievements in this small town community,” Joey Smith said in a social media post.

Fans can vote and view more information at the Royals’ official Hall of Fame site.

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