The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a special place for those who have made an outstanding contribution to the sport of baseball. It is a place of honor, respect and recognition for those players, coaches, managers and umpires who have contributed to the game in a meaningful way. One of the hallmarks of the Hall of Fame is the number of relief pitchers that have been inducted. This article will explore how many relief pitchers are in the Hall of Fame and the criteria that is used to determine eligibility.
What is the Hall of Fame?
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Cooperstown, New York and serves as the official repository for the memories, history and artifacts of professional baseball. The Hall of Fame was established in 1936, and since then has been the home of the greatest players, managers, coaches and umpires in the game. The Hall of Fame’s mission is to honor those individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the sport of baseball and to preserve the history of the game for future generations.
How is the Hall of Fame Determined?
The Hall of Fame is determined by a committee of experts in the sport of baseball. This committee is known as the Baseball Writers Association of America, or BBWAA. This committee is responsible for voting and selecting the players, managers, and umpires who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The criteria used to determine eligibility is as follows:
- Played in the Major Leagues for at least 10 years
- Retired from the Major Leagues for at least 5 years
- Received at least 75 percent of the vote from the BBWAA
How Many Relief Pitchers are in the Hall of Fame?
As of 2021, there are a total of 25 relief pitchers that have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. This includes the most recently elected pitcher, Trevor Hoffman, who was elected in 2020. The majority of the relief pitchers that are in the Hall of Fame have been elected in the last 20 years.
Who are the 25 Relief Pitchers in the Hall of Fame?
The 25 relief pitchers in the Hall of Fame are as follows:
- Rollie Fingers
- Rich Gossage
- Bruce Sutter
- Dennis Eckersley
- Lee Smith
- Goose Gossage
- Sparky Lyle
- John Franco
- Jim Konstanty
- Hoyt Wilhelm
- Sandy Koufax
- Richie Ashburn
- Hoyt Wilhelm
- Billy Wagner
- Dan Quisenberry
- John Smoltz
- Mariano Rivera
- Trevor Hoffman
- Pedro Martinez
- Rollie Fingers
- Kent Tekulve
- Mitch Williams
- Willie Hernandez
- Jeff Reardon
Notable Relief Pitchers that are Not in the Hall of Fame
There are several notable relief pitchers that have not been inducted into the Hall of Fame. These players have had successful careers in the Major Leagues, but have not been able to receive the necessary votes to be inducted. The most notable relief pitchers that are not in the Hall of Fame include:
- Eric Gagne
- Francisco Rodriguez
- Brian Wilson
- Mariano Rivera
- Trevor Hoffman
Why Some Relief Pitchers are Not in the Hall of Fame
There are several reasons why some relief pitchers are not in the Hall of Fame. The most common reason is that they may not have had the necessary longevity to meet the criteria set forth by the BBWAA. Other reasons include not having a long enough career to be considered for election or not being able to receive the necessary votes from the BBWAA.
Relief Pitchers that are Eligible for the Hall of Fame
There are several relief pitchers that are currently eligible for the Hall of Fame. These players have been retired for at least five years and meet the criteria set forth by the BBWAA. Some of the most notable players that are eligible for the Hall of Fame include:
- Mariano Rivera
- Trevor Hoffman
- John Smoltz
- Billy Wagner
- Billy Koch
How Relief Pitchers are Viewed by the BBWAA
Relief pitchers have traditionally been viewed as one-dimensional players by the BBWAA. This has led to some relief pitchers not receiving the necessary votes to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. However, in recent years, the BBWAA has become more open-minded towards relief pitchers and are starting to recognize the value that they bring to a team.
Conclusion
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a special place for those who have made an outstanding contribution to the sport of baseball. As of 2021, there are 25 relief pitchers that have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. This includes the most recently elected pitcher, Trevor Hoffman, who was elected in 2020. The criteria used to determine eligibility is as follows: Played in the Major Leagues for at least 10 years, retired from the Major Leagues for at least 5 years, and received at least 75 percent of the vote from the BBWAA. Relief pitchers have traditionally been viewed as one-dimensional players by the BBWAA, however, in recent years, the BBWAA has become more open-minded towards relief pitchers and are starting to recognize the value that they bring to a team.