Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 1998 followed the system in use since 1995.
The Baseball Writers Association of America

Baseball Writers Association of America

The Baseball Writers' Association of America is a professional association for baseball journalists writing for daily newspapers, magazines and qualifying Web sites. The BBWAA was founded on October 14, 1908, to improve working conditions for sportswriters in the early part of the 20th century...

 (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from recent major league players and
elected Don Sutton.
The Veterans Committee

Veterans Committee

The Veterans Committee is the popular name of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Committee to Consider Managers, Umpires, Executives and Long-Retired Players, a committee of the U.S...

 met in closed sessions and selected four people from multiple classified ballots:
George Davis, Larry Doby

Larry Doby

Lawrence Eugene "Larry" Doby was an American professional baseball player in the Negro leagues and Major League Baseball....

, Lee MacPhail

Lee MacPhail

Leland Stanford MacPhail, Jr. is an American retired front-office executive in Major League Baseball...

, and Bullet Rogan

Bullet Rogan

Charles Wilber "Bullet" Rogan, also known as "Bullet Joe" , was an American pitcher and outfielder for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro baseball leagues from 1920 to 1938...

.

The BBWAA election

The BBWAA was authorized to elect players active in 1978 or later, but not after 1992; the ballot included candidates from the 1997 ballot who received at least 5% of the vote but were not elected, along with selected players, chosen by a screening committee, whose last appearance was in 1992. All 10-year members of the BBWAA were eligible to vote.

Voters were instructed to cast votes for up to 10 candidates; any candidate receiving votes on at least 75% of the ballots would be honored with induction to the Hall. The ballot consisted of 26 players; 473 ballots were cast, with 355 votes required for election. A total of 2,559 votes were cast, an average of 5.41 per ballot. Those candidates receiving less than 5% of the vote (24 votes) will not appear on future BBWAA ballots, but may eventually be considered by the Veterans Committee

Veterans Committee

The Veterans Committee is the popular name of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Committee to Consider Managers, Umpires, Executives and Long-Retired Players, a committee of the U.S...

.

Candidates who were eligible for the first time are indicated here with a †. The one candidate who received at least 75% of the vote and were elected is indicated in bold italics; candidates who have since been selected in subsequent elections are indicated in italics. The seven candidates who received less than 5% of the vote, thus becoming ineligible for future BBWAA consideration, are indicated with a *.

Ron Santo

Ron Santo

Ronald Edward Santo was an American professional baseball player and long-time radio sports commentator. He played in Major League Baseball from 1960 to 1974, most notably as the third baseman for the Chicago Cubs. A nine-time All-Star, he was a powerful hitter who was also a good defensive...

 was on the ballot for the 15th and final time.

Key to colors

	Elected to the Hall. These individuals are also indicated in bold italics.
	Players who were elected in future elections. These individuals are also indicated in plain italics.
	Players not yet elected who returned on the 1999 ballot.
	Eliminated from future BBWAA voting. These individuals remain eligible for future Veterans Committee consideration.

Player	Votes	Percent
Don Sutton	386	81.6
Tony Perez Tony Pérez Atanasio Pérez Rigal , more commonly known as Tony Pérez, is a former Major League Baseball player. He was also known by the nickname "Big Dog," "Big Doggie," and "Doggie."...	321	67.9
Ron Santo Ron Santo Ronald Edward Santo was an American professional baseball player and long-time radio sports commentator. He played in Major League Baseball from 1960 to 1974, most notably as the third baseman for the Chicago Cubs. A nine-time All-Star, he was a powerful hitter who was also a good defensive...	204	43.1
Jim Rice Jim Rice James Edward "Jim" Rice , nicknamed "Jim Ed", is a former Major League Baseball left fielder.Jim Rice played his entire career for the Boston Red Sox from 1974 to 1989...	203	42.9
†Gary Carter Gary Carter Gary Edmund Carter , nicknamed "Kid" and "Kid Carter", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 19-year baseball career, mostly with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter established himself as one of the premier catchers in the National League, winning three Gold...	200	42.3
Steve Garvey Steve Garvey Steven Patrick Garvey , nicknamed "Mr. Clean" because of the squeaky clean image he held throughout his career in baseball, is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current Southern California businessman...	195	41.2
Bruce Sutter Bruce Sutter Howard Bruce Sutter is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. He was arguably the first pitcher to make effective use of the splitter....	147	31.1
Tommy John Tommy John Thomas Edward John Jr. is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball whose 288 career victories rank as the seventh highest total among left-handers in major league history...	129	27.3
Jim Kaat Jim Kaat James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St...	129	27.3
Dave Parker Dave Parker David Gene "The Cobra" Parker is an American former player in Major League Baseball. He was the 1978 National League MVP and a two-time batting champion. Parker was the first professional athlete to earn an average of one million dollars per year, having signed a 5-year, $5 million dollar contract...	116	24.5
†Bert Blyleven Bert Blyleven Bert Blyleven is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to , and was best known for his curveball. Blyleven was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011...	83	17.5
Dave Concepción Dave Concepción David Ismael Concepción Benitez , better known as Dave Concepción, is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball. He was born in Ocumare de la Costa, Aragua State, Venezuela...	80	16.9
Minnie Miñoso	76	16.1
Luis Tiant Luis Tiant Luis Clemente Tiant Vega , born November 23, 1940 in Marianao, Cuba, , is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians , Minnesota Twins , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees , Pittsburgh Pirates and California Angels...	62	13.1
Keith Hernandez Keith Hernandez Keith Barlow Hernandez is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He is currently a baseball analyst working for the New York Mets, for whom he played from –, on SportsNet New York and WPIX television broadcasts...	51	10.8
Dwight Evans Dwight Evans Dwight Michael Evans , nicknamed "Dewey", is an American former professional baseball right fielder and right-handed batter who played with the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles in Major League Baseball....	49	10.4
Mickey Lolich Mickey Lolich Michael Stephen Lolich is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1962 until 1979 who played the majority of his career with the Detroit Tigers.-Baseball career:...	39	8.2
Ron Guidry Ron Guidry Ronald Ames Guidry , nicknamed "Louisiana Lightning" and "Gator", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 14-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...	37	7.8
Bob Boone Bob Boone Robert Raymond Boone is a former catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who was a four-time All-Star. Born in San Diego, California, Bob Boone is the son of a major league player, the late third baseman Ray Boone, and the father of two major leaguers: former second baseman Bret Boone and...	26	5.5
†Jack Clark Jack Clark (baseball) Jack Anthony Clark , also known as "Jack the Ripper," is a former Major League Baseball player. From 1975 through 1992, Clark played for the San Francisco Giants , St. Louis Cardinals , New York Yankees , San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox... *	7	1.5
†Pedro Guerrero*	6	1.3
†Willie Randolph Willie Randolph Willie Larry Randolph is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and manager, most recently the third base coach for the Baltimore Orioles... *	5	1.1
†Carney Lansford Carney Lansford Carney Ray Lansford is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball and the hitting coach of the Colorado Rockies... *	3	0.6
†Brian Downing Brian Downing Brian Jay Downing is a former professional baseball player who had a 20-year MLB career with the Chicago White Sox, California Angels and Texas Rangers.- Chicago Years :... *	2	0.4
†Mike Flanagan*	2	0.4
†Rick Dempsey Rick Dempsey John Rikard Dempsey is an American former professional baseball player. He played for 24 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to , most notably for the Baltimore Orioles... *	1	0.2

The newly-eligible players included 17 All-Stars, nine of whom were not included on the ballot, representing a total of 44 All-Star selections. Among the new candidates were 11-time All-Star Gary Carter

Gary Carter

Gary Edmund Carter , nicknamed "Kid" and "Kid Carter", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 19-year baseball career, mostly with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter established himself as one of the premier catchers in the National League, winning three Gold...

, 6-time All-Star Willie Randolph

Willie Randolph

Willie Larry Randolph is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and manager, most recently the third base coach for the Baltimore Orioles...

 and 5-time All-Stars Pedro Guerrero. The field also included one Cy Young Award-winner, Mike Flanagan.

Players eligible for the first time who were not included on the ballot were: Jim Acker

Jim Acker

James Justin Acker is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from to . He played college baseball at the University of Texas....

, Dave Anderson, Floyd Bannister

Floyd Bannister

Floyd Franklin Bannister is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched for the Houston Astros , Seattle Mariners , Chicago White Sox , Kansas City Royals , California Angels , and the Texas Rangers .-History:In 1973, as a high school...

, Jesse Barfield

Jesse Barfield

Jesse Lee Barfield is a former Major League Baseball right fielder who played for the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed. He lived in Tenafly, a suburb of New York City.Barfield was well known for his powerful, accurate throwing arm...

, Juan Berenguer

Juan Berenguer

Juan Bautista Berenguer was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins and other teams. He had a career record of 67 wins and 62 losses. A mean-looking, husky Panamanian with long hair and a mustache, he was called "Pancho Villa" by his...

, Dave Bergman

Dave Bergman

David Bruce Bergman was a Major League Baseball first baseman, designated hitter, and outfielder.Born in Evanston, Illinois, Bergman is an alumnus of Maine South High School and Illinois State University...

, Don Carman

Don Carman

Donald Wayne Carman was a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher.-Career:Signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1978, Carman would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Philadelphia Phillies on October 1, 1983, and appear in his final game on July 18,...

, Rick Cerone

Rick Cerone

Richard Aldo Cerone from Seton Hall University is a former Major League Baseball player from 1975 to 1992 for the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and Montreal Expos...

, Mike Fitzgerald, Jim Gantner

Jim Gantner

James Elmer Gantner was a Major League Baseball player who spent his entire career with the Milwaukee Brewers .-Background:...

, Rich Gedman

Rich Gedman

Richard Leo Gedman is a former Major League Baseball catcher and left-handed batter who played with the Boston Red Sox , Houston Astros and St...

, Jerry Don Gleaton

Jerry Don Gleaton

Jerry Don Gleaton was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1979 to 1992 for the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Became an All-American at the University of Texas and the Most Valuable Player of the Southwest Conference...

, Von Hayes

Von Hayes

Von Francis Hayes , was a Major League Baseball player from 1981 to 1992 for the Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, and California Angels...

, Brook Jacoby

Brook Jacoby

Brook Wallace Jacoby is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and the current hitting coach of the Cincinnati Reds. Jacoby played in the major leagues from 1981 through 1992, and in Japan in 1993. He batted and threw right-handed. His father Brook Wallace Jacoby Sr...

, Dennis Lamp

Dennis Lamp

Dennis Patrick Lamp is a former middle relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1977 through 1992, Lamp played for the Chicago Cubs , Chicago White Sox , Toronto Blue Jays , Oakland Athletics , Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates .-Career:In a 19-season career, Lamp posted a...

, John Moses

John Moses (baseball)

John William Moses , is a retired professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues from 1982-1992. He later was a 1st Base/Outfield Coach for the Seattle Mariners from 1998–2003 and the Cincinnati Reds in 2006...

, Rance Mulliniks

Rance Mulliniks

Steven Rance Mulliniks is a former Major League Baseball player.Originally drafted as a shortstop, Mulliniks made his major league debut in for the California Angels, batting .269 in 78 games...

, Ken Oberkfell

Ken Oberkfell

Kenneth Raymond Oberkfell is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman and ex-coach for the New York Mets. He played from 1977-1992 for six different teams. Oberkfell primarily played third base but was also known to play second base and both corner outfield positions...

, Gary Pettis

Gary Pettis

Gary George Pettis is the current first base coach of the Texas Rangers. Prior to coaching, he spent eleven seasons as a center fielder in Major League Baseball....

, Jamie Quirk

Jamie Quirk

James Patrick Quirk is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current bench coach for the Chicago Cubs. Quirk attended Whittier College.-Playing career:Quirk was also a Parade Magazine All-America quarterback at St...

, Rafael Ramirez

Rafael Ramírez (baseball)

Rafael Emilio Ramírez Peguero , is a former professional baseball player who played in the major leagues primarily as a shortstop from 1980-1992...

, Don Robinson, Luis Salazar

Luis Salazar

Luis Ernesto Salazar Garcia is a former third baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball, a right-handed batter who played from 1980 to 1992....

, Dave Schmidt

Dave Schmidt

David Joseph Schmidt , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched twelve seasons in the majors from until . He is currently the pitching coordinator for the Orioles.-External links:...

, Mike Scioscia

Mike Scioscia

Michael Lorri Scioscia is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He has worked in that capacity since the 2000 season, and is the longest-tenured manager in Major League Baseball....

, Matt Sinatro

Matt Sinatro

Matthew Stephen Sinatro is a former major league catcher and currently handling administrative duties for the Chicago Cubs after being replaced as 1st base coach in January 2010. He attended Conard High School in West Hartford, Connecticut...

, Dave Smith, Pat Tabler

Pat Tabler

Patrick Sean "Pat" Tabler is a former Major League Baseball player and currently a color analyst for the Toronto Blue Jays on the Canadian sports television network Rogers Sportsnet and formerly with Rod Black on TSN....

, Walt Terrell

Walt Terrell

Charles Walter Terrell is a former starting pitcher with an eleven year career from 1982 to 1992. He played for the New York Mets , Detroit Tigers , San Diego Padres , New York Yankees , Pittsburgh Pirates , and once again the Detroit Tigers...

, and Denny Walling

Denny Walling

Dennis Martin Walling is a former Major League Baseball player. Walling played all or part of eighteen seasons in the majors, from 1975 to 1992. He played his most games as a third baseman, but also saw significant time as an outfielder and first baseman.Walling may be best known as a...

.

The Veterans Committee

The Veterans Committee

Veterans Committee

The Veterans Committee is the popular name of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Committee to Consider Managers, Umpires, Executives and Long-Retired Players, a committee of the U.S...

 met in closed sessions to elect as many as two executives, managers, umpires, and older major league players --the categories considered in all its meetings since 1953.
By an arrangement since 1995 it separately considered candidates from the Negro Leagues and from the 19th century with authority to select one from each of those two special ballots.

The committee elected four people, the maximum number permitted:
center fielder Larry Doby

Larry Doby

Lawrence Eugene "Larry" Doby was an American professional baseball player in the Negro leagues and Major League Baseball....

 from the 1950s, executive Lee MacPhail

Lee MacPhail

Leland Stanford MacPhail, Jr. is an American retired front-office executive in Major League Baseball...

 from the 1960s, pitcher Bullet Rogan

Bullet Rogan

Charles Wilber "Bullet" Rogan, also known as "Bullet Joe" , was an American pitcher and outfielder for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro baseball leagues from 1920 to 1938...

 from the Negro Leagues, and shortstop George Davis from the 19th century.

J.G. Taylor Spink Award

Sam Lacy

Sam Lacy

Samuel Harold Lacy was a pioneering African-American and Native American sportswriter, reporter, columnist, editor, and TV/radio commentator who worked in the sports journalism field for parts of nine decades...

received the J. G. Taylor Spink Award honoring a baseball writer.
(The award was voted at the December 1997 meeting of the BBWAA, dated 1997, and included in the summer 1998 ceremonies.)

Ford C. Frick Award

Jaime Jarrin

Jaime Jarrin

Jaime Jarrin is the Spanish language voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He began broadcasting for the Dodgers in 1959, and was the 1998 recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame...

received the Ford C. Frick Award

Ford C. Frick Award

The Ford C. Frick Award is presented annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the United States to a broadcaster for "major contributions to baseball." It is named for Ford Christopher Frick, former Commissioner of Major League Baseball...

honoring a baseball broadcaster.

External links

• 1998 Election at www.baseballhalloffame.org.