As in the past, the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from a ballot of recently retired players.

[4][5] The 2021 formal induction ceremonies in Cooperstown, New York, were originally planned to be held indoors and without spectators on July 25, 2021,[6] then were moved to September 8, 2021.

Players who met first-year eligibility requirements but were not selected by the screening committee for inclusion on the ballot included: Jeremy Affeldt, Scott Baker, Jeff Baker, Grant Balfour, Clint Barmes, Joe Beimel, Rafael Betancourt, Willie Bloomquist, Alberto Callaspo, Bruce Chen, Randy Choate, Kevin Correia, Neal Cotts, David DeJesus, Chris Denorfia, Jeff Francis, Jason Frasor, Jonny Gomes, Kevin Gregg, Aaron Harang, Corey Hart, Reed Johnson, Dan Johnson, Gerald Laird, Adam LaRoche, Jason Marquis, David Murphy, Wil Nieves, Alex Rios, Wandy Rodriguez, Cody Ross, Skip Schumaker, Grady Sizemore, Rafael Soriano, Tim Stauffer, Dan Uggla, C. J. Wilson, Randy Wolf and Delmon Young.

[11] Past honorees include Ring Lardner, Grantland Rice, Damon Runyon, and Shirley Povich.

According to the Hall, the criteria adopted in July 2016 are "Commitment to excellence, quality of broadcasting abilities, reverence within the game, popularity with fans, and recognition by peers."