They apparently view the Hall of Fame as some sort of baseball fraternity in which new members must pledge for a few years before being admitted. I consider Ryan, Brett and Yount locks on this ballot. This may be one of the best classes ever. Nevertheless, the list is long of legendary players who were not elected to the Hall in their first year of eligibility. Those who failed to gain admission on their first try include Cy Young, Joe DiMaggio, Mel Ott, Rogers Hornsby, Eddie Mathews, Yogi Berra, Carl Hubbell and Harmon Killebrew.
Some voters also resist the temptation to name several players on one ballot.
As many as three players have been elected only eight times since the first class and just twice since 1972, the last time coming in 1991 when Rod Carew, Fergie Jenkins and Gaylord Perry were elected. But from what I've been hearing, it seems evident that enough people appreciate what a great player he was. I know some people, especially in New York, have trouble voting for more than one or two players, but I think people have made enough of this class for all three to get in. When asked what they might hold against Yount in the balloting, some writers pointed to the fact he played in only three all-star games, and none in his final 10 seasons in the majors. Playing in a small market obviously hurt Yount in the all-star balloting, where fan voting determines the starters.