5% rule

[penneyAA]

I've read where if a player doesn't recieve 5% of the votes in his first year he is no longer on the ballot in subsequent years.How long has that rule been around?There seem to be several dozen HoF who didn't meet that criteria.If a player is dropped, is his only hope the veteran's committee several years down the road?

[Erik Bedard]

I believe the rule was instituted in 1979. Some have been reinstated onto the BBWAA ballot, but I don't believe there have been any recently.

[Freakshow]

To answer your questions: Yes, the 5% rule was instituted for the 1979 election. And yes, players dropped due to the 5% rule must wait until they have been inactive for 21 years before the VC will consider them. And yes, many players in the HOF never received 5% in a BBWAA election.

An article I wrote for Primate Studies discusses more of the 5% Rule.