... but of course, it was a form letter, and mostly designed to promote the Hall and an e-mail newsletter they provide. It was probably auto-generated.
We are in receipt of your letter. Thank you for taking the time to express your views to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
We understand your disappointment in Ron Santo not earning election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. It is extremely difficult to earn election to the Hall of Fame, as only one percent -- 1 in 100 -- of those to have played in the major leagues earn a plaque in Cooperstown.
While Mr. Santo is not currently a member of the Hall of Fame, he is represented in the Museum and Library as an important figure in baseball history. Among the interesting items in Cooperstown from his career are several photographs and a souvenir Ron Santo button from the 1960s.
Mr. Santo first became eligible for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980. According to the Rules of Election, he was eligible for consideration by the BBWAA for 15 years. During that span of time, Mr. Santo garnered a considerable number of votes, though never more than the 75 percent required for induction.
He will once again be considered by the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee in 2007, the next time former players will be considered for election. Under the Veterans Committee process, Mr. Santo has the opportunity to earn election at any time in the future, as long as he receives the necessary 75% of all ballots cast in any one election.
The best way to stay informed about the Hall of Fame and all the happenings in Cooperstown is to subscribe to INSIDE PITCH, the official e-mail newsletter of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. IT'S FREE and shows up in your e-mail box at the beginning of each week. You'll also receive timely news items direct from Cooperstown - where we preserve history, honor excellence and connect generations every day. Go
to www.baseballhalloffame.org to sign up for INSIDE PITCH, or follow this link: [link deleted by me -- why should I make it easier for them?] The process takes seconds.
Thanks again for your comments. We hope you will visit us in Cooperstown soon.
Sincerely,
The Baseball Hall of Fame
Wow, some photographs and a button. Thrilling.