The
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American museum and
hall of fame in
Cooperstown, New York. It is the central point for the study of the history of
baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of baseball-related artifacts and exhibits, and the honoring of persons who have excelled in playing, managing, and serving the sport. Elections commenced in 1936 for the selection of worthy individuals to be honored by induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame, though the first induction ceremonies were not held until the Hall opened in 1939. Through the elections for , a total of 310 individuals have been inducted, including 215 former major league players, 28 executives, 35 Negro leaguers, 22 managers, and 10 umpires. Each is listed along with 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.