They divided it up in the last ballot. I think there are two other eras before the Expansion era. I’m not sure what their names are but I think Santo falls in that second category since he didn’t play from 1973-89 (Expansion Era years). I think he’s in the Golden Era (???).

Anyone feel free to correct me if I’m wrong with any of that information. But I think that’s why he’s not on that particular ballot.

“The Expansion era covers umpires and executives who made their greatest contributions to the game from 1973 to the present. For the players, that term is 1973-89. "

Santo’s .267 and .221 performances in 73 and 74 were clearly not his greatest contributions.

There’s probably a registration fee too.

I suppose Kaat had his best years with the Twins in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Though, he did pitch pretty well with the White Sox in the mid-1970’s. I guess Kaat is considered to be in the same era with Santo. Kaat was still a decent pitcher for many years after his glory days with the Twins and White Sox. Kaat was in the same bullpen with Bruce Sutter on the 1982 Cardinals world championship team.