Baseball Writers' Association of America

The organizational logo for the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

The Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) is a professional association for baseball journalists writing for daily newspapers, magazines and qualifying websites.

Early years

The BBWAA was founded on October 14, 1908,[1] to improve working conditions for sportswriters in the early part of the 20th century; It also sought to promote uniformity of scoring methods, and to professionalize the press box, such that access was limited only to working reporters, telegraphers, and others who had a reason to be there. The forty-three founding members of the Baseball Writers Association first met in mid-October 1908.[2] They included Joe S. Jackson, who became the association's first president. At that time, Jackson was the sporting editor (today called sports editor) of the Detroit Free Press. Also selected as officers were Irving E. Sanborn of the Chicago Tribune, syndicated columnist Hugh Fullerton, and Boston Globe baseball writer Tim Murnane[3] A second meeting was held in New York City in December; Sanborn decided he could not serve as an officer at that time, and he was replaced by William Weart of the Philadelphia Times. The slate of officers was ratified, and anyone who wrote about baseball in major league cities was eligible for membership. This policy changed, however, in December 1913, at which time it was decided that minor league baseball writers could also become members.[4] Then, Jackson became a dominant force in the early years of the baseball writers, being elected as president of the association during nine consecutive terms.[5] Jackson finally retired in 1919, while Sanborn returned to assume the position of president. After that, Jackson became a member of the BBWAA Board of Directors.[6]

Mission

The organization's primary function is to work with Major League Baseball and individual teams to assure clubhouse and press-box access for BBWAA members. In addition, BBWAA members also elect players to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which is the organization's most public function. All writers with 10 continuous years of membership in the BBWAA, plus active BBWAA membership at any time in the preceding 10 years, are eligible to vote for the Hall of Fame. The BBWAA also votes annually for the Kenesaw Mountain Landis Most Valuable Player Award, Cy Young Award, Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award, and Manager of the Year Award in each of the two major leagues. The Hall of Fame also empowers the BBWAA's Historical Overview Committee, made up of 11 or 12 veteran BBWAA members, to formulate the annual ballot for the Veterans Committee.

Considering the ready availability of television broadcasts for the majority of baseball games, plus instant access to information through the Internet, some have called into question why the BBWAA has not broadened its membership rules to include broadcasters and researchers.[7] (Similar arguments were made for the inclusion of Web-based journalists, before the BBWAA added Web writers to its ranks in December 2007.)[8]

Others have openly questioned why the BBWAA is involved in the award and Hall of Fame voting processes at all,[9] citing in some cases journalistic integrity and the need to remain unbiased in their coverage of newsworthy events.[10]

Awards voting

The BBWAA's most public function is to annually vote on candidates for the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

In addition, the BBWAA is responsible for voting on several annual awards in each major league, including:

In or about 2000, the BBWAA took over the voting responsibility for the Edgar Martínez Award, given each year to the outstanding designated hitter in the American League.

From 1953 to 1962, the BBWAA presented a "Sophomore of the Year Award" in each league.[11]

In 1997, a 36-member BBWAA panel selected the Major League Baseball All-Time Team.

Awards display

Replicas of various BBWAA awards and lists of past winners are displayed at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, in the Records Room, which also has other exhibits, including charts showing active and all-time leaders in various baseball statistical categories.

J. G. Taylor Spink Award

The annual J. G. Taylor Spink Award is the highest award given by the BBWAA. The award is open to both BBWAA members and nonmembers, but only one winner—Roger Angell of The New Yorker, the 2014 recipient—had never been a BBWAA member in his career. Despite having written on baseball for more than a half-century, Angell never worked a specific baseball writing beat, thereby making him ineligible for BBWAA membership.

Web membership

In 2007, the BBWAA opened its membership to web-based writers employed on a full-time basis by "websites that are credentialed by MLB for post-season coverage."[8]

Chapter awards

New York chapter

For information about the chapter and its presiding officer, see footnote[12] and Red Foley (past chairman).
National awards presented at chapter dinner
Chapter awards

Other chapters

Presidents

For the list of presidents and secretaries from 1908 to the present, see footnote.[22]

During the 2012 World Series, the Association elected its first female president, Susan Slusser, of the San Francisco Chronicle.[23]

List of current members

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Names of members are followed by the name of the organization for whom they write.[24]

Note: New York Times, Washington Post[25] and Baltimore Sun[26] writers have stated that they are no longer permitted to vote by their employers. The Los Angeles Times has a similar policy,[27] though it appears to be negotiable.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "Base Ball Writers Association of America". BaseballLibrary.com. Archived from the original on 2011-05-13. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
  2. ↑ "Baseball Writers Have Formally Organized." Duluth News-Tribune, 10 December 1908, p. 12.
  3. ↑ "Baseball Writers Unite," Washington Post, 15 October 1908, p. 9.
  4. ↑ "Mike Lynch Gets Jess Baker and Danny Shea for Spokane." Seattle Daily Times, 10 December 1913, p. 19.
  5. ↑ "Joe Jackson To Head Baseball Writers for Ninth Straight Term." Seattle Times, 14 February 1918, p. 19.
  6. ↑ "Majors and Minors Rupture Relations." Omaha (NE) World-Herald, 17 January 1919, p. 6.
  7. ↑ "ESPN.com: Page 2 : Hall voting remains archaic". Proxy.espn.go.com. 1999-02-22. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  8. 1 2 Lederer, Rich (2007-12-06). "BBWAA Opens Up Its Membership to Web-Based Writers". The Baseball Analysts. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  9. 1 2 "I’m not sure reporters should vote in Hall of Fame elections. | SportsJustice | a Chron.com blog". Blogs.chron.com. 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  10. ↑ The Dallas Morning News (2006-12-06). "APSE | Associated Press Sports Editors". Apse.dallasnews.com. Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  11. ↑ Mondout, Patrick, Sophomore of the Year Award Winners Archived 2011-10-03 at the Wayback Machine.. BaseballChronology.com. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
  12. ↑ "Daily News' Mark Feinsand elected Baseball Writers Association of America's New York chairman". New York Daily News. November 10, 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 DiComo, Anthony (January 28, 2008). "Murcer honored for rousing recovery: Ex-Yankee's emotional acceptance punctuates BBWAA Awards". MLB Advanced Media, LP (MLB.com). Retrieved 2010-01-30.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Rodriguez chokes up during speech". ESPN.com. ESPN. Associated Press. January 24, 2010. Retrieved 2011-10-21. A-Rod picked up the hardware at the 87th annual New York baseball writers' dinner Saturday night.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Lester voted postseason MVP by New York baseball writers". Boston.com. Associated Press. November 4, 2016. Retrieved 2016-11-06.
  16. ↑ Rumberg, Howie (January 25, 2010). "Alex Rodriguez is left speechless when accepting playoffs MVP from New York baseball writers". Associated Press (at Star Tribune, Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN). Retrieved 2010-01-30.
  17. ↑ For a brief biographical sketch about BBWAA past president Sid Mercer, see Honor Rolls of Baseball § Writers.
  18. ↑ The Slocum Award is presented by the New York Baseball Writers Association. Slocum Award. Baseball-Almanac. Retrieved 2011-08-18.
  19. ↑ For a brief biographical sketch about William J. "Bill" Slocum, see Honor Rolls of Baseball § Writers.
  20. ↑ "Maddux, Mussina honored by NY baseball writers". Associated Press (at ESPN). January 26, 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-30.
  21. ↑ "Terry Ryan Award". Play Ball! Minnesota official website. Minnesota Twins Community Fund. Retrieved 2011-11-03. The winner is presented with the [Terry Ryan Award] at the annual Baseball Writers Association of America Diamond Awards along with many other prestigious Twins awards.
  22. ↑ Go to Constitution (Baseball Writer's Association of America official website; retrieved 2017-03-30) and scroll down to the bottom for Addendum B (BBWAA Presidents) and Addendum C (BBWAA Secretaries).
  23. ↑ Killion, Ann (October 28, 2012). "Chronicle writer Slusser sets precedent". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications, Inc. Retrieved 2012-10-29. [She] was elected president ... at the annual World Series meeting of the BBWAA.
  24. ↑ "BBWAA - Badge List". Bizofbaseball.com. 2007-12-10. Archived from the original on 2007-07-13. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  25. 1 2 Boswell, Thomas (2007-01-06). "Taking a Pass On McGwire". The Washington Post.
  26. ↑ "The Schmuck Stops Here: Cooperstown awaits - Baltimore Sun Ravens, Orioles: Sports news and opinion from Peter Schmuck - baltimoresun.com". Weblogs.baltimoresun.com. 2009-01-12. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  27. ↑ Archived January 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  28. ↑ "BBWAA - Badge List". Bizofbaseball.com. 2007-12-10. Archived from the original on 2007-07-13. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  29. ↑ Dave Albee. "Dave Albee: Why I voted for Mark McGwire - Marin Independent Journal". Marinij.com. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 "2014 Hall of Fame Ballots". bbwaa.com. Retrieved 2014-01-12.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Blum, Ronald (2006-11-27). "> Sports - McGwire likely to fall far short in Hall vote". SignOnSanDiego.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  32. 1 2 3 Shaughnessy, Dan (2006-01-11). "Verdict is in: Rice still a tough out". The Boston Globe.
  33. ↑
  34. ↑ Baggarly, Andrew (2016-01-06). "For all the Hall of Fame debate, and all the flaws in the process, Ken Griffey Jr. did something remarkable: He rose above it all.".
  35. ↑ Baker, Geoff (2011-01-04). "Edgar Martinez gets another Hall of Fame shot tomorrow...but not my vote". The Seattle Times.
  36. ↑ Bill Ballou Baseball wballou@telegram.com. "Worcester Telegram & Gazette - telegram.com - Ripken, Gwynn, McGwire getting votes". telegram.com. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  37. 1 2 3 4 5 "2013 Hall of Fame Ballots". bbwaa.com. Retrieved 2014-01-12.
  38. ↑ "2014 Hall of Fame Ballot Submitted by Mike Bass". Retrieved 2014-01-12.
  39. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 MLB.com. "How our reporters voted | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  40. ↑ Berkow, Ira (2005-02-20). "LIVES; The Final Countdown". The New York Times.
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Antonen, Mel (2006-12-05). "McGwire debate heats up". USA Today.
  42. 1 2 3 4 5 "Pirates Q&A with Dejan Kovacevic". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 2007-01-11.
  43. ↑ Bradley, Mark (2006-12-08). "Atlanta Metro News". ajc.com. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  44. ↑ "First-ballot doubts follow McGwire". baltimoresun.com. 2007-01-08. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  45. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "ESPN.com's Hall of Fame Ballot - MLB - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2006-01-09. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  46. 1 2 3 4 5 "Hall of Famer voters speak out about Clemens - MLB - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2007-12-14. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  47. ↑ "Ultimate Astros » Just say "No" to any Uggla-to-Houston rumors". Blogs.chron.com. 2010-11-14. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  48. ↑ http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/16183569.htm
  49. ↑ "How The Courant Voted". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
  50. 1 2 Associated Press (1999-11-17). "ESPN.com - Pudge edges Pedro in AL MVP upset". Sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  51. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 FitzGerald, Tom (2011-01-08). "Should Bonds be in the Hall of Fame?". The San Francisco Chronicle.
  52. ↑
  53. ↑ "Blogs". Daily News. New York.
  54. ↑ Mike Fine (2014-01-09). Twitter https://twitter.com/mikesofine/status/421270786549493760. Retrieved 2014-01-14. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  55. ↑ "John R. Finger Archive". CSNPhilly.com. Archived from the original on 2009-12-12. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  56. ↑ https://twitter.com/jflanagankc/status/561239946678112256
  57. ↑ "Sean Forman of Baseball-Reference Gains Inclusion Into BBWAA". Bizofbaseball.com. 2009-12-09. Archived from the original on 2007-07-13. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  58. 1 2 3 4
  59. ↑ "The Goessling Game - Orioles, Nationals, Ravens on". Masnsports.com. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  60. ↑ http://bbwaa.com/15-hof-voters/
  61. ↑ "ESPN.com's Hall of Fame Ballot - MLB - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  62. ↑ http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061224/SPORTS08/612240301/1129/SPORTS0104
  63. ↑ Bloom, Barry M. (July 10, 2012). "MLB.com's Hagen nominated for Spink Award". MLB.com. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
  64. ↑ http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/SPORTS08/611290326/1345/OPINION03
  65. ↑ "SI.com - A 'no' for Big Mac - Dec 30, 2006". CNN. 2006-12-29.
  66. ↑ "Survey: McGwire's Hall status shaky". USA Today. 2005-03-25.
  67. ↑ "Garry D. Howard's 2014 Hall of Fame Ballot". Retrieved 2014-01-13.
  68. 1 2 3 4 "CLEVELAND SPORTSNews, Scores, Teams, Stories & More on Northeast OH Sports". Cleveland.com. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  69. ↑ "BBWAA - Badge List". Bizofbaseball.com. 2007-12-10. Archived from the original on 2007-07-13. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  70. ↑ Jenkins, Bruce (2011-01-06). "HALL OF FAME / Spare the morality play: McGwire deserves induction". The San Francisco Chronicle.
  71. ↑ http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=1125
  72. ↑ Kepner, Tyler (2013-01-08). "Baseball Hall of Fame Voting Process Must Change – Tyler Kepner". The New York Times.
  73. ↑ http://www.sfchronicle.com/author/ann-killion/
  74. ↑ Knapp, Gwen (2011-01-03). "Caminiti gets Hall vote for honesty". The San Francisco Chronicle.
  75. ↑ Archived January 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  76. 1 2 'Duk (2009-09-03). "BBWAA opens doors wider, admits four more Internet writers - Big League Stew - MLB Blog - Yahoo! Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  77. ↑ http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/sports/baseball/mlb/oakland_athletics/16356845.htm
  78. 1 2 3 "Hal McCoy". The San Francisco Chronicle.
  79. ↑ Archived February 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  80. ↑ http://www.startribune.com/which-way-will-the-twins-go-with-their-bullpen/360931671/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  81. ↑ "Maddux, Glavine likely to join Cox in HOF class". 2014-01-07.
  82. ↑ "O'Connell's call worth the wait, emotion". USA Today. 2006-01-17.
  83. ↑ Paige, Woody (2007-12-16). "Paige: Help Woody cast his Hall votes". Denver Post.
  84. ↑ "Will Barry Bonds be in the Hall of Fame? - ESPN Video - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2007-11-16. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  85. ↑
  86. ↑ http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/columnists/joe_posnanski/16353475.htm
  87. ↑ Lederer, Rich (2004-12-31). "A Hall of Fame Chat with Tracy Ringolsby". The Baseball Analysts. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  88. ↑ "‘Honorary’ BBWAA member Larry Rocca clarifies ballot". fansided.com. Retrieved 2014-01-13.
  89. ↑ "MLB News, Videos, Scores, Standings, Stats, Teams, Players - FOX Sports on MSN". Msn.foxsports.com. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  90. ↑ Rubin, Roger (2007-05-29). "Sox lead growing in AL East". Daily News. New York.
  91. ↑ "CSNPhilly Phillies Insider Jim Salisbury". Csnphilly.com. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  92. ↑
  93. ↑ "McGwire good for only 1 out of 4 for Hall of Fame vote - MLB - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2006-11-28. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  94. ↑ Turner, April (April 20, 2011). "NABJ Honors Pioneering Sports Journalist, ESPN’s Claire Smith with Annual Legacy Award". National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). Retrieved 2011-10-21. A member of the Baseball Writers Association of America, Smith has written about sports for over 25 years, for the Philadelphia Bulletin, Hartford Courant, New York Times, and Philadelphia Inquirer. For over 20 years, her beat was Major League Baseball. In July 2007, she started in a new direction and new industry when she joined ESPN as a news editor, working with the production teams on MLB game broadcasts.
  95. ↑ Smizik, Bob (2006-12-29). "Smizik: McGwire belongs in Hall of Fame". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  96. ↑ "Jim Souhan: Rejection on election day". StarTribune.com. 2007-01-09. Archived from the original on 2007-11-20. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  97. ↑ "Go crazy for the Wizard". USA Today. 2002-07-24.
  98. ↑ "Larry Stone". The Seattle Times. 2011-05-14. Archived from the original on 2012-08-21.
  99. ↑ "SI.com - Searching for truth - Jan 2, 2007". CNN. 2007-01-02.
  100. ↑
  101. ↑ "Mark Zuckerman's 2014 Hall of Fame Ballot". Archived from the original on 2014-01-13. Retrieved 2014-01-13.

"Baseball Writers Unite." Washington Post, October 15, 1908, p. 9.

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