Last deadball era HOF was George Davis in 1998

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Posted By: Frank Wakefield

Before, the VC had 15 members. 6 of those "screened" and determined who would be on the ballot. 75% needed to get in. VC met each year.

In 2001 it changed. It now consists of 61 HOF members, 14 Ford C Frick Award recipients (that includes Bob Uecker, who I like, but don't think should be doing this), and one holdover from the old Committee, John McHale, who will leave after his term expires next year.

Elections every other year. 60 BB writers and 6 HOFers determine the ballot, then the committee votes, and again 75% to get in. Anyone with 10 plus years, who isn't on baseball's ineligble list, who isn't under consideration by the regular writers bunch, is "eligible forever, providing eternal hope for the player, his family, and fans."


The idea of it now being tougher is before you had to convince 3/4ths of 15 that someone should be in, or 11 of the guys; now it requires 3/4ths of 70 plus. Those guys played and fought and threw at each other for years, some barely speak. How are you going to get 50 of them to agree on something? And how can we teach 50 of them who Ed Reulbach was, and the foundations Ed set out for the players' union??? Here in Kentucky we'd liken it to trying to teach a pig to sing... It's a waste of time and it annoys hell outa the pig.