List of members of the Baseball Hall of Fame (chronological)

This is a list of members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, in order of induction. Elections commenced in 1936 for selection of worthy individuals to be honored by induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame, though the first induction ceremonies were not held until the Hall opened in 1939. Through January 2005, a total of 260 individuals have been selected, including 212 players, 17 managers, 8 umpires, and 23 pioneers and executives. Each is listed along with their primary position, that is, the position or role in which the player made his greatest contribution to baseball, according to the Hall of Fame.

Related Topics:
1936 - Baseball Hall of Fame - 1939 - 2005

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According to current rules, in order to be inducted players must have at least 10 years of major league experience and pass through a screening committee. Players meeting these qualifications are placed on the ballot five years after retirement, and are then voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America (or BBWAA). Each writer may vote for up to 10 players, and in order to be admitted into the hall of fame, a player must be approved by 75% of those casting ballots. Players receiving less than 5% approval are removed from future ballots. Current rules allow that all players which have not been approved by the BBWAA election process within 20 years of their retirement may also be admitted by the Veterans Committee, and every four years that committee also votes to induct umpires, managers, pioneers, and executives. There have been exceptions to these guidelines, however: Roberto Clemente was elected shortly after his death in 1972, Lou Gehrig was inducted immediately following his retirement, and Addie Joss was admitted even after completing only 9 seasons.

Related Topics:
Major league - Baseball Writers Association of America - Veterans Committee - Roberto Clemente - 1972 - Lou Gehrig - Addie Joss

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Between 1971 and 1977, 9 players from the Negro Leagues were inducted by a special Negro Leagues Committee, which was given the task of identifying worthy players who played in the Negro Leagues when the game was still segregated. Since then, players from the Negro Leagues have been selected by the Veterans Committee like other players, and 9 more have been approved by that body.

Related Topics:
1971 - 1977 - Negro Leagues - Negro Leagues Committee

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