Could Dick Allen be Considered for the Hall of Fame this Year, in the Second Year of the Hall’s Newly Structured Committee System?
Changes made last year to the Baseball Hall of Fame committee system may lead to the enshrinement of more modern players. Whether that will include Dick Allen is an open question. There are two ways that a baseball player can be elected the Hall of Fame. The first way is by eligible voters who are members of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). Players become eligible for election five years after retirement. They will remain on the ballot so long as they receive at least 5% of the vote. In a year when a player receives less than 5% of the vote, that player drops off the ballot and can no longer be considered by the BBWAA. The second way player can become elected to the Hall of Fame is through the Hall’s committee system. For most of the Hall’s existence, this was known as the Veterans Committee. The Veterans Committee would consider not only players who were no longer eligible for election by the BBWAA, but would also consider executives, umpires, and ma...