What Is 1962 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1962 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting resulted in the induction of Jackie Robinson and Bob Feller, both elected by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). Robinson received 77.5% of the vote, just above the 75% threshold, while Feller earned 83.7% support.

Key Facts

Jackie Robinson was elected in 1962 with 77.5% of the BBWAA vote, his first year of eligibility.
Bob Feller received 83.7% of the vote and was inducted alongside Robinson.
The BBWAA required a 75% threshold for election to the Hall of Fame.
No players were elected by the Veterans Committee in 1962.
This was the first Hall of Fame election after the BBWAA reinstated voting after a one-year hiatus in 1961.

Overview

The 1962 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting marked a significant moment in baseball history, as two legendary players—Jackie Robinson and Bob Feller—were elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Conducted by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA), this election ended a one-year pause in the voting process that occurred in 1961 due to controversy over ballot rules and voter turnout.

The Class of 1962 was notable for honoring both a trailblazing pioneer of integration and a dominant pitcher with a storied career. Despite the absence of any inductees from the Veterans Committee, the two BBWAA selections carried immense historical weight, reflecting both statistical excellence and cultural impact.

Jackie Robinson received 77.5% of the vote, just above the required 75% threshold, in his first year of eligibility.
Bob Feller earned 83.7% support, securing his place in Cooperstown with a career highlighted by 266 wins and 2,581 strikeouts.
The BBWAA voting returned in 1962 after being suspended in 1961 due to disputes over ballot eligibility and low voter participation.
No players were selected by the Veterans Committee in 1962, making Robinson and Feller the only inductees that year.
The 75% threshold for induction remained unchanged, a standard first implemented in the 1954 balloting process.

How It Works

The Hall of Fame balloting process involves structured voting procedures, eligibility rules, and thresholds that determine which players gain entry. The 1962 election followed the BBWAA’s established framework, which had evolved over the previous decade to ensure fair and consistent selection.

Eligibility Period: Players must be retired for at least one year and appear on a ballot for up to 20 years; this rule was in place by 1962.
Voting Body: The BBWAA, composed of accredited baseball journalists, cast votes, with ballots distributed to members meeting service requirements.
Ballot Threshold: A candidate must receive votes on 75% of ballots returned to be elected, a standard strictly enforced since 1954.
Vote Minimum: A voter could select up to 10 candidates per ballot, though there was no requirement to fill all slots.
Write-Ins: Write-in votes were permitted but rarely counted unless formally tallied, which was uncommon in official reports.
Public Disclosure: Individual ballots were not made public in 1962, though aggregate totals and percentages were released by the Hall of Fame.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key Hall of Fame elections from the early 1960s, highlighting changes in voter participation and election outcomes.

Year	BBWAA Electees	Veterans Committee Electees	Notable Candidates	Voter Turnout
1960	Red Faber, Dave Bancroft, Zack Wheat	None	Waite Hoyt received 73.7%	144 ballots
1961	None	None	BBWAA voting suspended	0 ballots
1962	Jackie Robinson, Bob Feller	None	Robin Roberts received 62.9%	173 ballots
1963	Earl Averill, Bill Dickey, Freddie Lindstrom	None	Goose Goslin elected with 77.6%	170 ballots
1964	None	Louis Santop, Chick Hafey	Mickey Cochrane received 74.8%	180 ballots

The 1962 election saw a rebound in voter turnout compared to the suspended 1961 cycle, with 173 ballots submitted. This increase reflected renewed confidence in the voting process after rule clarifications, though the Veterans Committee remained inactive in electing players during this period.

Why It Matters

The 1962 Hall of Fame balloting had lasting implications for how baseball honors its legends, combining statistical merit with historical significance. The election of Jackie Robinson, in particular, underscored the sport’s recognition of social impact alongside athletic achievement.

Jackie Robinson’s induction celebrated not only his .311 career average and 1947 Rookie of the Year honor but also his role in breaking the color barrier.
Bob Feller’s selection honored his three no-hitters and 12 All-Star selections, solidifying his legacy as one of baseball’s fiercest competitors.
The return of BBWAA voting in 1962 restored public trust in the Hall of Fame election process after the 1961 hiatus.
Robinson’s narrow passage—just 2.5% above the threshold—highlighted how close he came to missing induction in his first year.
The absence of Veterans Committee picks emphasized the BBWAA’s dominance in shaping the Hall’s early narrative.
This election set a precedent for future classes, balancing on-field excellence with broader cultural contributions to the game.

Ultimately, the 1962 balloting remains a landmark year, not only for who was elected but for what their inductions represented: excellence, perseverance, and the evolving values of baseball’s highest honor.