<P> The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown , New York honors individuals who have excelled in playing , managing , and serving the sport , and is the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond , displaying baseball - related artifacts and exhibits . Elections of worthy individuals to be honored by induction into the hall of fame commenced in 1936 , although the first induction ceremonies were not held until the hall opened in 1939 . Through the elections for 2017 , a total of 319 people have been inducted , including 220 former major league players , 32 executives , 35 Negro League players and executives , 22 managers , and 10 umpires . Each is listed showing his primary position ; that is , the position or role in which the player made his greatest contribution to baseball according to the Hall of Fame . </P>
<P> The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown , New York honors individuals who have excelled in playing , managing , and serving the sport , and is the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond , displaying baseball - related artifacts and exhibits . Elections of worthy individuals to be honored by induction into the hall of fame commenced in 1936 , although the first induction ceremonies were not held until the hall opened in 1939 . Through the elections for 2017 , a total of 319 people have been inducted , including 220 former major league players , 32 executives , 35 Negro League players and executives , 22 managers , and 10 umpires . Each is listed showing his primary position ; that is , the position or role in which the player made his greatest contribution to baseball according to the Hall of Fame . </P>
when did the mlb hall of fame start
when did the mlb hall of fame start
1936
1936