What Is 2009 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting inducted Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice, both elected on their first ballot appearance, with Henderson receiving 94.8% and Rice 98.8% of votes cast by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). The induction ceremony took place on July 26, 2009, in Cooperstown, New York.

Key Facts

Rickey Henderson received 94.8% of the BBWAA vote in 2009, earning Hall of Fame induction on his first ballot.
Jim Rice was elected with 98.8% of the vote, the highest percentage among inductees that year.
The 2009 induction ceremony was held on July 26 in Cooperstown, New York.
Candidates must receive at least 75% of votes to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
This was the 67th election conducted by the BBWAA for the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Overview

The 2009 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting marked a significant milestone in baseball history, resulting in the election of two legendary players: Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice. Both were inducted based on votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA), which administers the annual election process for recently retired players.

The election process followed standard Hall of Fame protocols, requiring candidates to receive at least 75% of the vote for induction. A total of 539 ballots were cast, with each voter allowed to select up to 10 players. The results were announced on January 19, 2009, revealing overwhelming support for both Henderson and Rice.

Rickey Henderson received 511 votes out of 539, translating to 94.8% of the total, securing his place in the Hall on his first ballot appearance.
Jim Rice earned 532 votes, or 98.8%, making him one of the most decisively elected players in BBWAA history.
The ballot included 15 candidates, with only Henderson and Rice surpassing the required 75% threshold.
Tom Seaver and Steve Garvey were among the notable holdovers from previous ballots but failed to reach induction.
Players must have played at least 10 Major League seasons and been retired for five full years to be eligible for BBWAA consideration.

How It Works

The BBWAA Hall of Fame voting process is structured to ensure only the most impactful and respected players gain entry, based on career performance, character, and historical significance.

Eligibility: Players must have played in at least 10 MLB seasons and been retired for five full years. For the 2009 ballot, this meant players active through 2003 or earlier were eligible.
Ballot Selection: The BBWAA selects candidates via a screening committee, limiting the final ballot to 15 players to streamline voting and focus on top contenders.
Voting Rights: Only BBWAA members with at least 10 years of consecutive membership are eligible to vote, ensuring experienced journalists shape the outcome.
Voting Threshold: A candidate must receive votes on at least 75% of ballots to be inducted; otherwise, they remain eligible for up to 15 total appearances.
Vote Limits: Each voter can select up to 10 players per ballot, encouraging thoughtful choices and preventing over-voting.
Public Disclosure: Individual ballots are not made public, preserving voter privacy, though aggregate results and trends are published by independent researchers.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key Hall of Fame ballots from 2005 to 2009, highlighting voting thresholds and top inductees:

Year	Inductees	Vote Threshold	Top Vote-Getter	Ballots Cast
2005	Ryne Sandberg, Wade Boggs	75%	Wade Boggs – 98.8%	545
2006	Dave Winfield, Kirby Puckett, Bill Mazeroski	75%	Dave Winfield – 84.4%	502
2007	Cal Ripken Jr., Tony Gwynn	75%	Both elected with over 90%	545
2008	Goose Gossage	75%	Gossage – 82.9%	545
2009	Rickey Henderson, Jim Rice	75%	Jim Rice – 98.8%	539

This table illustrates the consistency of the 75% threshold and the fluctuation in ballots cast. The 2009 ballot saw a slight decline in participation compared to previous years, but both inductees received near-unanimous support, reflecting their widespread acclaim among voters.

Why It Matters

The 2009 Hall of Fame election reinforced the importance of career excellence, longevity, and statistical dominance in shaping baseball’s historical legacy. It also highlighted evolving voter attitudes toward offensive production and base-running prowess.

Rickey Henderson was recognized not only for his 3,055 career hits but also for his record-setting 1,406 stolen bases, underscoring his all-around impact.
Jim Rice benefited from a late-career surge in support, driven by advanced metrics that validated his power-hitting dominance in the 1970s and 1980s.
The election emphasized the growing influence of sabermetrics in BBWAA voting patterns, especially for borderline candidates.
Both inductees played their entire careers in the American League, highlighting the league’s continued contribution to baseball history.
The ceremony on July 26, 2009, drew over 30,000 fans to Cooperstown, reaffirming the Hall’s cultural significance.
This election marked the last time two players were inducted via BBWAA vote until 2014, making it a notable benchmark in Hall of Fame history.

The 2009 ballot remains a defining moment in baseball lore, celebrating two iconic careers that exemplified excellence and resilience on the field.