The Hall Of Famers

CLASS OF 2009

Rice and Henderson

Jim Rice (left) and Rickey Henderson are the 20th and 21st left fielders elected to the Hall of Fame. (AP)

The Baseball Writers' Association of America elected left fielders Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice as members of the Class of 2009 on Jan. 12, while the Veterans Committee similarly tabbed second baseman Joe Gordon for the same honor last Dec. 8. All three players will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Induction Ceremony in Cooperstown on Sunday, July 26.

BBWAA announcement | Vets announcement
News conf. | Rickey honored | Rice relieved
MLBN: Rickey | MLBN: Rice | Gordon's kids
Rice w/ Boston media | Rickey reacts

Joe Gordon | Rickey Henderson | Jim Rice
HOF news conf. | Rice news conf.


CLASS OF 2008

Gossage and Williams

The long wait for both Goose Gossage and Dick Williams ended Sunday with their inductions. (AP)

Goose Gossage, Dick Williams, Bowie Kuhn, Billy Southworth, Barney Dreyfuss and Walter O'Malley were all enshrined July 27 as members of the Hall of Fame's Class of 2008. Broadcaster Dave Niehaus and writer Larry Whiteside were also honored, while Buck O'Neil was recognized with the inaugural O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award.

Induction Ceremony | Wrap | News conf.
Speeches: Gossage | Williams | O'Malley
Kuhn | Southworth | Dreyfuss | Niehaus
Whiteside | O'Neil | Bench & Banks sing

Induction I | Induction II | Induction III
HOF Golf Invitational | Induction Friday




Goose Gossage

With a handlebar mustache, an untamed mane and an all-business attitude, Rich "Goose" Gossage was among the first pitchers to take on the closer role.
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Dick Williams

A manager for 21 seasons with six different teams, Dick Williams earned 1571 wins with 1451 losses, winning five division flags, four league championships and two World Series. Complete story >
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Barney Dreyfuss

An influential team owner and policy maker, Barney Dreyfuss was both an innovator and one of the best informed men regarding baseball goings-on at the turn of the century.
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Bowie Kuhn

Bowie Kuhn was one of the game's most influential figures of the latter 20th century and his tenure as Commissioner was the third longest in baseball history.
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Walter O'Malley

Walter O'Malley is considered the most influential club owner of baseball's early expansion era, serving as the catalyst for expansion by moving the Dodgers out west.
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Billy Southworth

Billy Southworth compiled a brilliant resume in a 13-year managerial career, winning four NL pennants and steering the Cardinals to World Series titles in 1942 and '44.
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MORE ABOUT THE HALL OF FAMERS

The National Baseball Hall of Fame features 289 members, including 2009 electees Joe Gordon, Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice. Included are 202 former Major League players, 35 Negro leaguers, 26 executives or pioneers, 18 managers and eight umpires. The Baseball Writers' Association of America has elected 108 former players to the Hall of Fame, while the Hall of Fame Committee on Baseball Veterans has elected 153 candidates (92 Major Leaguers, 26 pioneers/executives, 18 managers, nine Negro leaguers and eight umpires). The defunct Committee on Negro Leagues selected nine members between 1971-77. The Hall of Fame currently has 65 living members.

Search/Complete Lists


2009 and Beyond

Induction Weekends
2009: July 24-27, Ceremonies on Sun., July 26
2010: July 23-26, Ceremonies on Sun., July 25
2011: July 22-25, Ceremonies on Sun., July 24

BBWAA Elections
Here's a partial list of players who are eligible for consideration for the Hall of Fame by the baseball writers in coming years:

  • 2010: Roberto Alomar, Barry Larkin, Robin Ventura, Edgar Martinez, Fred McGriff, Kevin Appier, Ellis Burks, Ray Lankford, Pat Hentgen, Todd Zeile, Eric Karros, Mark McLemore, Andres Galarraga, Fernando Vina, Mike Jackson, Shane Reynolds, Dave Burba, David Segui, Andy Ashby

  • 2011: Jeff Bagwell, Rafael Palmeiro, John Olerud, Kevin Brown, Larry Walker, Juan Gonzalez, Tino Martinez, B.J. Surhoff, Marquis Grissom, John Franco, Bret Boone, Al Leiter, Benito Santiago, Carlos Baerga, Raul Mondesi, Bobby Higginson, Wilson Alvarez, Rey Sanchez, Charles Johnson, Jose Offerman, Ugueth Urbina, Ismael Valdez, Dan Wilson, Paul Quantrill, Cal Eldred, Kirk Rueter, Steve Reed

  • 2012: Bernie Williams, Tim Salmon, Brad Radke, Javy Lopez, Edgardo Alfonzo, Ruben Sierra, Vinny Castilla, Scott Erickson, Jeff Fassero, Joe Randa, Jeromy Burnitz, Eric Young, Brian Jordan, Bill Mueller, Matt Lawton, Jose Hernandez, Phil Nevin, Alex S. Gonzalez, Pedro Astacio, Carl Everett, David Bell, Rick Helling, Jose Vizcaino, Terry Mulholland, Jeff Nelson, Danny Graves, Dustin Hermanson

  • 2013: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Craig Biggio, Curt Schilling, Sammy Sosa, Mike Piazza, Kenny Lofton, David Wells, Julio Franco, Shawn Green, Steve Finley, Roberto Hernandez, Jeff Cirillo, Jose Valentin, Reggie Sanders, Jeff Conine, Jose Mesa, Royce Clayton, Bob Wickman, Ryan Klesko, Aaron Sele, Woody Williams, Rondell White, Mike Lieberthal, Tony Batista, Mike Stanton, Sandy Alomar Jr., Damian Miller, Todd Walker, Eric Milton

  • 2014: Greg Maddux, Frank Thomas, Mike Mussina, Pedro Martinez, Jim Edmonds, Jeff Kent, Luis Gonzalez, Kenny Rogers, Ray Durham, Moises Alou, Richie Sexson, Shannon Stewart, Armando Benitez, Steve Trachsel, Mike Timlin, Keith Foulke, Todd Jones, Mark Grudzielanek, Esteban Loaiza, Freddy Garcia, Jon Lieber, Damion Easley, Adam Kennedy, Trot Nixon, Jacque Jones, Hideo Nomo, J.T. Snow, Jose Vidro, Matt Morris, Jay Payton, Paul Lo Duca, Jose Cruz Jr., Eric Gagne, Paul Byrd, Sean Casey, Scott Hatteberg