The National Baseball Hall of Fame is a non-profit museum dedicated to an illustrious American institution: baseball. The complex (which includes a research library) commemorates the beginnings, growth, and historical timeline of baseball’s fascinating history.  Additionally, multiple displays pay tribute to the talented men and women who helped shape baseball into an American icon.

The museum, established in 1939, is located in Cooperstown, New York. Over 300,000 travelers visit this small town each year to enjoy the art, literature, pictures, historical data, videos, memorabilia, and other intriguing information The Baseball Hall of Fame has to offer.

How does someone make it into the Hall of Fame?  Well, it’s not easy.  Actually, the chances are about 70 to 1 for the average player.

First, players must have worked a minimum of ten years in the major leagues and have been retired for at least five (although there have been exceptions to this rule).  Afterwards, there are no set guidelines that automatically qualify an individual (like hitting over 500 home runs).  Instead, the Baseball Writer’s Association and Veterans Committee (living Hall of Famers) determine eligibility based on standards like character, aptitude, sportsmanship, skill level, and team contribution.

A basic rule of thumb?  The best players are the ones who often make it in.  It’s interesting to note, however, that candidacy is not limited to baseball players.  Managers, executives, and umpires are also included in the 292 members.

So who are some of these Famers?  Here are a few names that you might recognize.

Hank Aaron

Yogi Berra

Wade Boggs

Roy Campanella

Gary Carter

Joe DiMaggio

Dennis Eckersley

Rickey Henderson

Tommy Lasorda

Mickey Mantle

Willie Mays

Jose Mendez

Satchel Paige

James Rice

Cal Ripken, Jr.

Phil Rizzuto

Jackie Robinson

Babe Ruth

Tom Seaver

Ted Williams

Carl Yastrzemski

Cy Young

The Baseball Hall of Fame attracts a wide variety of people to its doors each and every year, not only baseball fans.  The reason?  There are so many exhibits to enjoy like The Records Room, Babe Ruth Room, Diamond Dreams: Women in Baseball, Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience, Scared Ground, Taking the Field: The 19th Century, the Plaque Gallery, the Bullpen Theater, the Education Gallery, and so much more!

Thinking about a trip to Cooperstown this summer?  Why not?