NATIONAL BASEBALL I--IALL OF FAME AND Preserving Hisiory. Honoring Excellence. Connecling Generations. November 22, 2016 Dear BEWAA Member: Enclosed please find the 2017 Hall of Fame ballot, developed by your screening Committee and prepared by Jack O'Connell, your Candidates who receive votes on 75% or more of ballots cast will earn election to the National Baseball Hall Of Fame as poll of The Class of 20l7. Candidates will automatically return re the ballot ln 2018, provided they ieceive votes on a minimum of 5% of ballots cast it any player receives less. he no longer be eligible for consideration by The BBWAA. As you know, three years ago, the Hall of Fame's Board of Direclors reduced the maximum length of stay on a ballot from 15 to 10 years Lee Smith (l year) is the only grandfathered Candlaate remaining on lhe ballot. All diner candidoles have a maximum of 10 years of eligibility for review by the BBWAA. A complete set of rules ls found on the reverse Of this letter. Bios for each candidate are available at the Baseball Hall of Forne's Web site, by vlsl'lng You're encouraged to also complete your own research and discuss openly with your colleo ues, Should you need an additional information, feel free Eleclion results Will be announced on Wednesday, January l8. 2017, at p.m. ET. Vour participation in Hall of Fame voting is most appreciated. On behalf of the Hall or Fame siafi'. i would like to thank you and your colleagues for your conllnued support and cooperation look forward to our paths crossing soon. Best wishes tor a happy and healthy holiday season. Sincerely. flu Mahler) Jeff Idelson President BBWAA Rules for Election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame 1. Authorization -- By authorization of the Board of Directors of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, lnc., the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) is authorized to hold an election every year for the purpose of electing members to the National Baseball Hall of Fame from the ranks of retired baseball players. 2. Electors -- Only active and honorary members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, who have been active baseball writers for at least ten (10) years, shall be eligible to vote. They must have been active as baseball writers and members of the Association for a period beginning at least ten (10) years prior to the date of election in which they are vo?ng. 3. Eligible Candidates -- Candidates to be eligible must meet the following requirements: (A) A baseball player must have been active as a player in the Major Leagues at some time during a period beginning fifteen (15) years before and ending ?ve (5) years prior to election. (B) Player must have played in each of ten (10) Major League championship seasons, some part of which must have been within the period described in (C) Player shall have ceased to be an active player in the Major Leagues at least ?ve (5) calendar years preceding the election but may be otherwise connected with baseball. (D) In case of the death of an active player or a player who has been retired for less than ?ve (5) full years, a candidate who is otherwise eligible shall be eligible in the next regular election held at least six (6) months after the date of death or after the end of the ?ve (5) year period, whichever occurs ?rst. (B) Any player on Baseball's ineligible list shall not be an eligible candidate. 4. Method of Election (A) BBWAA Screening Committee -- A Screening Committee consisting of baseball writers will be appointed by the BBWAA. This Screening Committee shall consist of six members, with two members to be elected at each Annual Meeting for a three?year term. The duty of the Screening Committee shall be to prepare a ballot listing in alphabetical order eligible candidates who (1) received a vote on a minimum of five percent of the ballots cast in the preceding election or (2) are eligible for the ?rst time and are nominated by any two of the six members of the BBWAA Screening Committee. (B) An elector will vote for no more than ten (10) eligible candidates deemed worthy of election. Write-in votes are not permitted. (C) Any candidate receiving votes on seventy??ve percent of the ballots cast shall be elected to membership in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Voting -- Voting shall be based upon the player?s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played. 6. Automatic Elections No automatic elections based on performances such as a batting average of .400 or more for one (1) year, pitching a perfect game or similar outstanding achievement shall be permitted. 7. Time of Election The duly authorized representatives of the BBWAA shall prepare, date and mail ballots to each elector during the latter part of November. The elector shall sign and return the completed ballot no later than December 31. The vote shall then be tabulated by the duly authorized representatives of the BBWAA. 8. Certification of Election Results -- The results of the election shall be certi?ed by a representative of the Baseball Writers' Association of America and an of?cer of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. The results shall be transmitted to the Commissioner of Baseball. The BBWAA and National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. shall jointly release the results for publication. 9. Amendments -- The Board of Directors of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. reserves the right to revoke, alter or amend these rules at any time.