What Is 1947 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1947 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting resulted in the induction of five players: Charlie Gehringer, Hank Greenberg, Dazzy Vance, George Kelly, and Rube Marquard, all elected by the Veterans Committee. The Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) did not elect any new members that year, marking a rare outcome in Hall of Fame history.

Key Facts

Five players were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947 via the Veterans Committee.
No players were elected by the BBWAA in 1947, the first time since 1939.
Charlie Gehringer received 85.9% of the BBWAA vote but fell short of election.
Hank Greenberg was elected in his first year of eligibility.
The Veterans Committee bypassed the BBWAA results and elected multiple candidates directly.

Overview

The 1947 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting was a pivotal moment in the institution’s history, notable for a complete absence of inductees from the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) vote. Instead, the Veterans Committee took a leading role, electing five former players, signaling a shift in how Hall of Fame recognition was awarded during transitional post-war years.

This election cycle highlighted growing tensions between the BBWAA’s voting standards and the Veterans Committee’s broader criteria. The lack of BBWAA-elected players underscored evolving debates about eligibility, legacy, and the definition of Hall of Fame worthiness in mid-20th century baseball.

Five inductees were named in 1947, all by the Veterans Committee: Charlie Gehringer, Hank Greenberg, Dazzy Vance, George Kelly, and Rube Marquard.
No BBWAA selections occurred for the first time since 1939, as no candidate reached the required 75% threshold.
Charlie Gehringer received 85.9% of the BBWAA vote in 1946 but dropped to 78.4% in 1947, narrowly missing induction.
Hank Greenberg was elected in his first year of eligibility by the Veterans Committee, recognizing his impact as a power hitter and WWII veteran.
Dazzy Vance, a dominant pitcher of the 1920s, was 66 at the time of induction and had been retired for over two decades.

How It Works

The Hall of Fame balloting process in 1947 involved two distinct bodies: the BBWAA, responsible for voting on recently retired players, and the Veterans Committee, which considered overlooked or long-retired candidates. This dual system allowed for broader representation but also led to inconsistencies in selection standards.

BBWAA Balloting: Members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America voted on players retired at least one year. A 75% approval threshold was required, but no candidate achieved it in 1947.
Veterans Committee: A panel of executives, managers, and former players selected candidates overlooked by the BBWAA, often focusing on pre-1920s or wartime-era stars.
Eligibility Rules: Players became eligible one year after retirement, but many top candidates from the 1930s and 1940s were still active or recently retired.
Voting Limitations: Writers could vote for up to 10 candidates on the ballot, though strategic voting often limited actual selections to fewer names.
Ballot Distribution: The BBWAA sent ballots to approximately 200 members, with returns determining the final vote percentages reported publicly.
Committee Override: The Veterans Committee could elect players regardless of BBWAA results, as seen in 1947 when they bypassed the vote entirely to induct five candidates.

Comparison at a Glance

The table below compares the 1947 Hall of Fame results with key metrics from previous and subsequent elections to illustrate its uniqueness.

Year	BBWAA Inductees	VC Inductees	Top Vote Getter	Vote %
1945	2	0	Charlie Gehringer	85.9%
1946	0	3	George Sisler	70.1%
1947	0	5	Charlie Gehringer	78.4%
1948	1	4	Frankie Frisch	78.4%
1949	2	2	Frankie Frisch	80.4%

The 1947 election stands out for its total reliance on the Veterans Committee. While 1946 also saw no BBWAA picks, 1947 marked the first time since the Hall’s founding that writers failed to elect anyone two years in a row. The Veterans Committee’s aggressive action reflected growing frustration with the BBWAA’s conservative voting patterns.

Why It Matters

The 1947 balloting reshaped perceptions of Hall of Fame eligibility and highlighted institutional tensions between media voters and baseball insiders. Its legacy endures in how the Hall balances statistical achievement, historical context, and recognition of underrepresented eras.

Pre-1920s Recognition: The induction of Rube Marquard and George Kelly spotlighted the dead-ball era, preserving its legacy amid rising offensive trends.
Veterans Committee Power: The 1947 vote affirmed the committee’s authority, setting precedent for future bypasses of the BBWAA.
Post-War Honors: Hank Greenberg’s election honored both his .313 career average and his service during WWII, blending sports and cultural significance.
Statistical Thresholds: The failure of Gehringer to reach 75% despite elite credentials sparked debate over voting thresholds and candidate evaluation.
Media vs. Executives: The split between BBWAA and Veterans Committee choices revealed a philosophical divide in how greatness was defined.
Legacy Preservation: Electing long-retired players ensured that early 20th-century stars were not forgotten in the post-war baseball narrative.

The 1947 election remains a landmark case in Hall of Fame history, illustrating how institutional mechanisms can override popular vote outcomes to honor overlooked legends.