PATH TO THE HALL OF FAME

Earning election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame is one of the greatest honors in all of sports, and is reserved for those few who truly graced the game through their remarkable achievements.

There are two paths to being elected to the Hall of Fame

The annual BBWAA election considers recently retired Major League players. The Era Committees consider retired Major League players no longer eligible for election by the BBWAA, along with managers, umpires and executives. 

BBWAA ELECTION

The BBWAA (Baseball Writers' Association of America) votes annually on recently retired Major League players.

The BBWAA has a Screening Committee that prepares a ballot of eligible candidates who received a vote on a minimum of five percent (5%) of the ballots cast in the preceding election or are eligible for the first time and are nominated by any two members of the Screening Committee.

 

ERA COMMITTEES ELECTION

The Era Committee has been a part of the Hall of Fame voting process since the first class of electees in 1936, with the first Era Committee electees coming in 1937.

The Era Committees, formerly known as the Veterans Committee, consider retired Major League players no longer eligible for election by the BBWAA, along with managers, umpires and executives.

ERA COMMITTEES ELECTION RULES

The Era Committee has been a part of the Hall of Fame voting process since the first class of electees in 1936, with the first Era Committee electees coming in 1937.

BBWAA ELECTION RULES

Since 1936, the Baseball Writers' Association of America has held the exclusive voting privilege to consider recently retired players for the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

FUTURE ELIGIBLES

Provided that they remain retired, the following are partial lists of former Major League ballplayers who will become eligible for consideration by the BBWAA for election into the Hall of Fame in upcoming years. 

ERA COMMITTEES ELECTION RULES

The Era Committee has been a part of the Hall of Fame voting process since the first class of electees in 1936, with the first Era Committee electees coming in 1937.

BBWAA ELECTION RULES

Since 1936, the Baseball Writers' Association of America has held the exclusive voting privilege to consider recently retired players for the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

FUTURE ELIGIBLES

Provided that they remain retired, the following are partial lists of former Major League ballplayers who will become eligible for consideration by the BBWAA for election into the Hall of Fame in upcoming years.