The final candidates were selected by a BBWAA-appointed screening committee of 60 BBWAA members, two writers from each of the 26 major league cities with one team, and four writers from Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and the Bay Area, each of which has two major league teams. Each writer was asked to select 25 individuals from a list of 200 players, and 15 individuals from a composite list of 60 managers, umpires and executives.

Simultaneously, a six-member screening committee of Hall of Fame members independently selected five players. The two lists were integrated. The top 26 players, and 15 managers, umpires and executives, based on vote totals, comprise the final two ballots. The final two ballots, to be voted upon by all Hall of Fame members, as well as the Ford C. Frick and J.G. Taylor Spink Award winners, include:

Dick Allen, Curt Flood, Mickey Lolich, Bob Meusel, Vada Pinson, Bobby Bonds, Joe Gordon, Marty Marion, Minnie Minoso, Allie Reynolds, Ken Boyer, Gil Hodges, Roger Maris, Thurman Munson, Ron Santo, Rocky Colavito, Elston Howard, Mike G. Marshall, Don Newcombe, Joe Torre, Wes Ferrell, Ted Kluszewski, Carl Mays, Tony Oliva, Ken R. Williams, Maury Wills.

Composite Ballot: (alphabetically) Buzzie Bavasi, Charles O. Finley, Bowie Kuhn, Walter O'Malley, Bill White, August Busch, Jr., Doug Harvey, Billy Martin, Gabe Paul, Dick Williams, Harry Dalton, Whitey Herzog, Marvin Miller, Paul Richards, and Phil Wrigley.

The new Veterans Committee electorate (currently at 84 members), is comprised of the living Hall of Fame members (58), Ford C. Frick Award recipients (13), J.G. Taylor Spink Award recipients (11) and former Veterans Committee members whose terms have not yet expired (2). Committee members will cast their votes by mail in January. Ernst & Young will verify the vote totals. All candidates who earn votes on 75% of ballots cast will be enshrined in the summer of 2003.

In other Hall of Fame news, youth baseball participants affiliated with the Roberto Clemente Sports City in Puerto Rico recently received baseball equipment for more than 40 teams.

CSX Lines transported the materials free of charge, from Pennsylvania to Puerto Rico.

Dale Petroskey, president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, serves on the Board of Directors of the Roberto Clemente Sports City and launched the idea for the donation. Petroskey mentioned the idea to Steve Tremitiere, a member of the Museum's Development Advisory Group, who

worked to gather slightly-used baseball equipment - in total, more than 500 pairs of cleats, 150 bats, 200 gloves, and significant quantities of catcher's equipment, helmets and balls - in communities across New York and Pennsylvania to send to youth baseball participants in Puerto Rico.

The donated equipment was cleaned and packaged prior to shipment and is expected to outfit more than 40 teams with affiliations through the Roberto Clemente Sports City. Tremitiere is very active in youth baseball in suburban Philadelphia.

"Young ballplayers are the foundation of baseball's future, from Pennsylvania to Puerto Rico, and beyond," said Petroskey. "Steve Tremeitiere's leadership and commitment was the catalyst for making this happen. By making baseball equipment available to those less fortunate, we are ensuring that baseball continues its development in every community across the Americas. spirit found in this great game."

For more information visit www.robertoclemente21.com.