by Matt Mahan

Created on: July 27, 2008

The Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York is the dream for every professional baseball player. Thousands of players over the years have donned the team uniform and went out everyday and played their hearts out. For the vast majority of these players, the only way for them to get into the Hall of Fame is by buying a ticket.

To be elected into the Hall of Fame, a player has to be chosen on 75% of the Baseball Writers of America ballots. Presently there are 428 writers who cast votes for induction in to the Hall of Fame.

The rules for entry as a Hall of Fame player are actually quite simple. If one would look at the voting criteria for the writers, the general public would think they are voting for the next President. The list of guidelines for induction is long but it boils down to four main aspects.

Play major league baseball for a minimum of ten years. To be even considered for induction into the Hall of Fame, a player must be on a major league teams roster for ten years. It can be ten different teams, but the time concept keeps out induction to players who have one or two really good seasons.

Be the absolute best. It is not just about being really good, it is about being head and shoulders above your peers. In this generation of baseball, Alex Rodriquez, Manny Ramirez and Randy Johnson come to mind. Players, who have over the course of their career, raised the bar for what is great. Players whose statistical accomplishments, year in and year out, are the ruler to which every other player measures up to.

Play fair. It may seem like we are talking about Little League, but players who have cheated have no chance of entry into the Hall of Fame. Jose Conseco, Mark McGuire and Pete Rose, for all their accomplishments on the field, will never be elected to the Hall of Fame because of unfair play. Whether it be from chemical enhancement or gambling, a player who plays outside the rules does not get voted in.

Be nice. A player that develops a good relationship with the writers is going to receive more votes than the surly player. Derek Jeter is going to be a first ballot Hall of Famer, even though he may not have the overall statistics to justify being elected. Derek Jeter always takes the time the talk to reporters and is well respected by them for it.

If over the course of a players career, all these criteria are met, after they retire they have to wait five years before their name appears on the voting ballot. Players who have met or exceeded the above aspects of the game of baseball, can one day look forward to that phone call that tells them "Welcome"

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